Overview
The FTX FORCE FC.18 Cylinder Head Washer is an essential engine spare part designed for enthusiasts maintaining their FTX nitro-powered RC models. This precision-engineered component is a critical gasket, seal and shim that ensures proper cylinder head sealing and optimal engine performance in your RC car. Whether you're a dedicated RC hobbyist in the UK looking to maintain your nitro RC vehicle or a serious racer requiring reliable replacement parts, this genuine FTX spare part delivers the quality and compatibility you need to keep your engine running smoothly.
Built to exact FTX specifications, this cylinder head washer is specifically engineered for the FTX Force FC.18 engine platform, which powers popular models including the FTX Zorro Nitro Trophy Truck in both blue and orange variants. As an experienced RC enthusiast knows, maintaining proper engine sealing is crucial for consistent performance, fuel efficiency and longevity of your nitro power plant. This genuine OEM component ensures you're using parts that match factory tolerances and materials, guaranteeing reliable operation on track or off-road.
RC Model Shop is proud to stock genuine FTX spare parts for the complete range of FTX nitro and electric RC vehicles. Whether you're tuning your ready-to-run RC truck for competition or keeping your bashers in peak condition, having access to authentic replacement components means your RC investment stays performing at its best.
Key Features
- Genuine OEM Component — This is an authentic FTX factory part manufactured to exact engine specifications, ensuring perfect fit and compatibility with zero risk of fitment issues or performance degradation that can occur with inferior aftermarket alternatives.
- Cylinder Head Gasket Seal Function — The washer serves as a critical sealing component between the cylinder head and engine block, preventing fuel, oil and combustion pressure leakage that would otherwise compromise engine efficiency and reliability during operation.
- Precision Engineering — FTX engineers these components to strict tolerances, ensuring consistent compression sealing across all operating temperatures and RPM ranges that your nitro engine experiences during RC driving sessions.
- FTX Force FC.18 Compatibility — This part is specifically designed for the FTX Force FC.18 engine platform, guaranteeing proper fitment without modification or trial-and-error assembly on your RC vehicle.
- Single Unit Supply — You receive one cylinder head washer per package, allowing you to replace worn or damaged seals and restore your engine to factory specifications.
Technical Performance
The FTX FORCE FC.18 Cylinder Head Washer is engineered with precision manufacturing standards that meet OEM specifications for the FTX Force FC.18 nitro engine used in popular RC trophy trucks and rock crawlers. Cylinder head washers function as critical gasket and seal components that maintain combustion chamber integrity and prevent pressure leakage during the compression and power strokes of four-stroke nitro engines. The washer sits between the cylinder head and engine block, creating a tight seal that withstands the thermal cycling and pressure changes inherent in nitro RC engine operation. FTX's manufacturing process ensures that this component maintains its sealing properties across the wide temperature range that nitro engines experience, from cold start-up through sustained high-RPM running. The material composition and thickness of the washer are carefully controlled to provide the correct clamping force when cylinder head bolts are torqued to specification, ensuring reliable sealing without over-compression that could damage surrounding engine components. For RC enthusiasts maintaining their nitro-powered vehicles, having genuine OEM replacement washers ensures that engine performance remains consistent and reliable whether you're competing at local tracks or bashing across challenging terrain.
What's in the Box
- FTX Force FC.18 Cylinder Head Washer (1 piece)
Compatibility Information
- FTX5542B — FTX Zorro Nitro Trophy Truck RTR Blue
- FTX5542O — FTX Zorro Nitro Trophy Truck RTR Orange
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a cylinder head washer and why do I need one? — A cylinder head washer is a gasket and seal component that sits between your nitro engine's cylinder head and engine block, creating an airtight seal that prevents fuel, oil and combustion gases from leaking. Without proper sealing, your engine loses compression pressure, experiences fuel economy loss and runs unreliably. If your RC nitro engine is losing compression, leaking fuel around the cylinder head area, or running rough, a worn cylinder head washer is often the cause and needs replacement to restore performance.
- Is this washer compatible with all FTX nitro engines? — No, this washer is specifically designed for the FTX Force FC.18 engine platform. Using the wrong washer size or specification can result in poor sealing or engine damage. Always verify compatibility with your specific engine model before purchase. This part fits FTX Zorro Nitro Trophy Truck models in both blue and orange versions that use the FC.18 engine.
- How often should I replace the cylinder head washer? — Cylinder head washers are wear items that gradually compress and lose sealing effectiveness over time. For regular bashers, replacement every 12-24 months is typical, depending on usage frequency. If you notice any fuel or oil leaking from around the cylinder head area, or if your engine compression drops noticeably, the washer should be replaced immediately rather than waiting for scheduled maintenance.
- Can I reuse the old washer or must it be replaced? — Cylinder head washers should be replaced each time they are removed. Once compressed and heated during engine operation, the material loses its resilience and cannot be relied upon to create an effective seal when reinstalled. Using a new genuine FTX washer ensures you maintain proper engine compression and reliability.
- Is this suitable for beginners? — This is a replacement component intended for those with nitro engine maintenance experience. Whilst the washer itself is straightforward to install, it requires basic knowledge of nitro engine disassembly, proper torque specifications for cylinder head bolts, and engine reassembly procedures. If you're new to nitro engine maintenance, consider having an experienced RC technician handle the installation to avoid over-tightening bolts or improper washer seating.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the FTX FORCE FC.18 CYLINDER HEAD WASHER 1pc FTX6166 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
- Brand: FTX
- Part Number: FTX6166
- EAN: 5055323981494
- Product Type: Cylinder Head Washer
- Component Type: Gasket, Seals and Shims
- Engine Type: FTX Force FC.18
- Quantity: 1 piece
- Compatible Models: FTX5542B FTX Zorro Nitro Trophy Truck RTR Blue, FTX5542O FTX Zorro Nitro Trophy Truck RTR Orange
We want to make sure your delivery goes smoothly, so here are some important details about our service:
- For orders above £120, we offer delivery to most mainland UK addresses. For orders under £120, we can still deliver to Northern Ireland and the outlying isles, as long as the item can be sent by Royal Mail, weighs less than 30kg, and fits within 61cm × 46cm × 46cm. Some highland and remote areas may carry an extra delivery charge as couriers often apply surcharges in these locations. If you live in one of these areas, feel free to contact us before ordering so we can confirm the delivery options and costs for you.
- Most of our products include delivery in the price. If your order is under £90, a small delivery fee will apply but do not worry this will always be clearly shown at checkout before you complete your purchase.
- Depending on what you choose at checkout, your order will usually be delivered either the next working day or within 2 working days. For next day delivery please place your order before 2:00pm. Orders are dispatched Monday to Friday only. Some items may take a little longer and if that is the case we will always show the expected delivery time on the product page.
- If your order includes items with different dispatch times we will normally wait and send everything together once all items are in stock. If one of the items is going to take a while we will give you the choice either wait for everything to arrive or let us send the available items now and deliver the rest later. It is up to you.
- We use trusted delivery partners to make sure your order gets to you safely and on time. We use DPD for next working day deliveries and Royal Mail for the 2 day option.
- As soon as your order is on its way we will send you a tracking number by email. If you provide your mobile number at checkout we will also send delivery updates straight to your phone so you can keep an eye on progress.
- If a product is marked as "Dispatched within 3 working days" delivery usually takes around 3 to 5 working days from when your order is placed.
- For customers in Inverness and other parts of the Scottish Highlands deliveries can take up to 2 working days even if you select next day delivery as couriers do not currently offer a guaranteed next day service to those areas.
