Buying BP Engines on the Secondary Market

[mh9162013]

If you're looking to buy some used Estes BP engines, how much risk are you willing to take? In other words, let's say the seller has several packs of unused C engines. They were likely stored for 10-30 years in an outdoor shed or attic for many of those years and they look perfect. Are those engines still good? I've read about how temperature shifts can cause problems with BP engines, like CATOs.

And if you'd be willing to buy these engines, how much would you pay for each one?

 

[Kallahan11]

They would have to be interesting and rare engines, which I would get to collect them not launch. Stored in a non temperature or humidity controlled room for 30 years means they have almost certainly gone bad. I would not buy them to launch.

 

[KenECoyote]

 

[Joekeyo]

I had bad luck with some engines I bought on eBay. Won't do that again.

 

[BEC]

If you're looking to buy some used Estes BP engines, how much risk are you willing to take? In other words, let's say the seller has several packs of unused C engines. They were likely stored for 10-30 years in an outdoor shed or attic for many of those years and they look perfect. Are those engines still good? I've read about how temperature shifts can cause problems with BP engines, like CATOs.

And if you'd be willing to buy these engines, how much would you pay for each one?

Fifty-year-old motors, stored in temperatures that are comfortable for people, are just fine. Motors as you describe would best be used in saucers or other very CATO-tolerant models or not at all. Which is pretty much what @Kallahan11 said and @KenECoyote is also suggesting....

 

[Back_at_it]

In your example of 10-30 years old stored outside. No, I would not buy those. What kills motors is repeated heating and cooling. If those same motors were stored inside someone home and that home had been occupied (heated and cooled) for 10-30 years then absolutely I'd buy them.

It's not at all uncommon to find someone that is selling their kids rockets collection around here and I have picked up boxes of loose motors, rockets etc. that have been in basements since the 80's and have flown them without any issues.