Used 600 Nitro?

[NdYAG]

Hey All,

I'm new to R/C Heli's and the local hobby store has an Align 600 Nitro that is used for $500 (without TX/RX system).

I was wondering if anyone has experience with buying used Heli's or what to look for when buying something used?

The employee of the hobby shop knows the seller personally, and said he built the Heli kit, and said it was a good deal, but I don't want to get a piece of junk, nor do I want to buy someone's junk....

Any help??

[lancedoze]

Take pics and post them. Also what is in the build? Engine,servos,etc. Also how old is the bird?

[DYORD]

IMHO,

$500 is already a good deal even with bad engine... or even without the engine.

It's a bonus if you got it without any defect!

[memosteve]

What electronics? Which motor? Which muffler?

Things I would ask the store/seller:

How many gallons through motor?

Parts that have been replaced?

I would then have them pull the muffler, at a minimum, so you can inspect the engine for the following:

Make sure the piston ring is dark colored, w/out any scratches/gouges/scoring. Piston is shiny w/out scratches/gouges/scoring. No metal flakes/pieces. No signs of black soot/burnt parts. Use a starter wand and turn the motor over by hand, moving the piston back and forth slowly for this inspection, pay attention to any grinding sounds or feel.

Pull the glow plug and make sure it's not black (OK to be a slight brown, but not rusty), or the element flattened/broke...all signs that the motor was ran too lean.

Put the muffler/glow plug back on and check that there's good compression by turning the motor over with the starter wand (if it turns over real easy, smoothly all the way around, the engine is blown).

I would then either bring in your radio, and a RX, or ask the store to provide a setup for testing, and hook up all the electronics to make sure they work...

This is what I would do if it were me!

As for $500 being a great deal with or without engine; you can get used nitro 600's with working electronics/motor for $500-600 most any day of the week, especially on consignment. So, I wouldn't pay even $500 for one w/out a good running motor!