Well, I have had it!!!!

[jdheff1982]

It would take a miracle for me to try to get my truck running again!! I have spent all day today and yesterday trying to get this darn thing to work!!!!! Here is the problem:

1. Engine hard to start (sometimes)
2. Engine has tendency to overheat
3. Drinks the fuel like nobodies business
4. Spits fuel out of exhaust
5. Runs at higher-than-normal all the time
6. Air bubbles in the line that do not move

What I have done to try to fix:
1. Lower idle speed with idle screw
2. Lean out both HSN and LSN
3. Replaced fuel lines
4. Corrected linkage problem (Keeping carb open some)
5. Pulled carb and cleaned it
6. Cursed
7. Got a sunburn

I sent Traxxas an email letting them know how unhappy I am. I am to the point to where I want to throw the stupid thing in the trash!!!! I don't have the money to keep buying parts nor do I have the money to replace the engine. It would take a miracle to get the truck running again. Please feel free to help me!! :mad:

[sportmaxx 89]

well you might have a airleak if the thing is overheating and not running well. another thing that might help you start is getting a glow iginitor like this here (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ799&P=7). it heats the plug right away. and for your sunburn try this stuff (http://www.a2zcharms.com/images/sunt-tan-lotion.jpg ) just a pic lol im just kidding. maybe if overheating u would want to richen the needles.

[jdheff1982]

I can rule out air leak in lines and tank. I disconnected the lines off the carb and exhaust. Blew thru exhaust line to allow fuel to climb up other line. Then I pinched off the main line and watched to see if fuel level would drop. Fuel held in the main line. So it has to be something else. The carb is closing all the way.

[sportmaxx 89]

well u might want to open the carb up alittle around 1/4 throttle and it will help start the engine. another thing is that you might have a cracked tank if its going through that much fuel. what kind of terrain area u running on.

[jdheff1982]

Terrain = concrete, grass, dirt

[Head Hunter]

you dont need to open the carb any more then what idle is.
you should be able to start it without the radio or reciver even on.
Try setting it back to factory settings.
If all else fails take it your lhs and have them get it running. most of the time they will do it for free. unless its hobby town usa. they charge $10 per 30 minutes i believe, but if it takes shorter then 30 minutes its free.

[jdheff1982]

I took it to HobbyTown already today and they could not get it running right either. Nor did they charge me anything.

[Head Hunter]

hmm this might be fun(not really)
take the engine apart and see if the piston and sleeve are worn.
if there are scratches on the sleeve then theres your problem.
also check and see if you can push your piston through the top of the sleeve. if you can its time for a new sleeve and piston. also try a new glow plug.

[jdheff1982]

I have took the head off earlier today and all I saw was redish stuff on the piston. Didn't see any scratched either.

[Head Hunter]

the red stuff is probaly just from the fuel dying the piston(no big deal)
you need to take the who engine out of the truck and tear it completly apart.

[jdheff1982]

As far as the inside wall of the sleeve, all I see are what appears to be buff marks in various parts of the sleeve. Are these the scratches you are speaking of????

[Head Hunter]

nope, thats normal

[jdheff1982]

After inspecting the crankcase, there is a nice brownish ring on the inside. Is this normal???

[RustlerRyan]

If you've had enough of it, you can send it to me. I'll pay shipping :D

Back on track:
Anytime I see a redish-brownish coating my mind goes straight to rust. Have you always done your after run procedures when you put her up for the night?

I was getting almost all the same symptoms you are having in your list. I found a crack inside the crankcase where the carb body goes, and also found I had way overtightened the HSN before bringing it back out.

I'd say just turn it in and get a new one. Start fresh. I went through way to many weeks without driving mine, and it all came down to getting rid of it once I found that crack. For all you know it could be something you can't see or recognize.

[jdheff1982]

I don't do it if I know I am gonna run the next day.

[jdheff1982]

Well, if I can't get it working, I'm gonna order the Sirio 0.18 engine. I have heard people say it is much easier to tune than the TRX.

[jdheff1982]

I had it working a lot better after taking the engine apart and rebuilding. I think the weather today played a huge role in the malfuntion of my truck. When I had it running again, I had a storm brew up right over my head. As the car sat at idle, the engine would pulsate from a high RPM to a low RPM. It went back and forth like this until it died. Have any of you been driving your nitro and a storm come up on ya??? If so, did your truck/car act like this??? Thanks!

I can say that while I got to drive it at full speed, the gladiators performed super!!!! Since I have them all around, the traction is great. The car has lost its understeer and gained a smal oversteer. I am saying goodbye to ribbed tires and giving a big HELLO to the Glad's!!!!!

Thanks for your help!!! It really frustrates me to have to spend 2 days to get the truck running right only to get a few minutes of play time. I'll get better; if not, then a new engine. :D

Cheers!

[RustlerMan2.5]

Glad you got it runing! Yea. Gladiators are awesome. i run them on all 4's also. They are really great. Plus i have them made of m2 rubber so they wont get destroyed that fast.

[money B]

just a thought,i know if you pull the carb it is very easy to damage the oring that seals the carb to the crankcase

[Trigger99]

2 other quick things to check, how old is your fuel, and how clean is the air filter? Maybe its starving for air?!?!