30 year old Traxxas nitro 4tec resurrection

[vtrang]

Hello,

I'm trying to get my old traxxas 4tec on the road again thats been sitting for 20 years. It has the ez start system and the starter motor works but the engine won't turn over. I put in a new glow plug so I know that's not the issue. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, I still have the original transmitter and receiver with the crystals on it. Can anyone recommend a good upgrade budget transmitter and receiver?

 

[Mister 4x4]

I picked up a FlySky FS-GT5 with FS-BS6 receiver for $80. The radio will hold up to 20 cars, and spare receivers are only $23-ish (if you start collecting more cars).

It probably got put away dirty, so the years of gunk just sitting there just froze everything up.

I would remove engine and take off the EZ-Start, carb, and glow plug, and soak the engine cylinder with After Run oil - or some 20% nitro. After a good soak, try to manually turn the engine using the flywheel by hand. Once it 'breaks loose,' things will get smoother. Soak the carb in the nitro and it should operate smoothly in no-time. Clean it all up with some denatured alcohol so you're starting fresh. Once everything's all back to moving smoothly, reassemble the carb onto the engine, insert the glow plug and reinstall the EZ-Start. Put it back in the car. Make sure the fuel lines are free & clear and you have some fresh 20% nitro, put some new fuel in, prime it, and give it a kick.

Hope that helps! That's what I'm doing for my 30+ yr-old Traxxas Nitro Hawk I've been waking up (no EZ Start on the Image .12 engine, though).

 

[Suburban_Hooligan]

I'm assuming that because the ez start is spinning so is the crankshaft. which brings me to, just because the ez start motor is turning doesn't mean the ez start system is functioning. been there, dealt with that. i hate those ez start systems more than even swear words can convey. do yourself a favor and get a pull starter and a glow igniter and save your sanity.

are you getting fuel from the tank to the carb? when nitro cars sit for prolonged periods of time things go bad. fuel line can go bad or get clogged up, fuel filters get clogged up, the carb can become clogged, etc. while checking that out id make sure the tank is clean and still seals so it'll have proper fuel pressure. sense you've already checked the glow plug and I'm assuming the crankshaft is rotating and the engine has compression that's where i would start.

 

[alfredwong2003]

Sometimes people put the one way bearing incorrectly.

 

[Mister 4x4]

I'm assuming that because the ez start is spinning so is the crankshaft. which brings me to, just because the ez start motor is turning doesn't mean the ez start system is functioning. been there, dealt with that. i hate those ez start systems more than even swear words can convey. do yourself a favor and get a pull starter and a glow igniter and save your sanity.

are you getting fuel from the tank to the carb? when nitro cars sit for prolonged periods of time things go bad. fuel line can go bad or get clogged up, fuel filters get clogged up, the carb can become clogged, etc. while checking that out id make sure the tank is clean and still seals so it'll have proper fuel pressure. sense you've already checked the glow plug and I'm assuming the crankshaft is rotating and the engine has compression that's where i would start.

As a long-time Nitro guy, and 1:1 mechanic myself, when someone says 'it won't turn over,' I immediate think 'seized crank & piston,' and start there. If the engine does indeed 'turn over but won't start,' then it's a fuel or ignition issue. Since it ran when it was put away, and has been sitting this whole time, common sense would blame poor storage technique that will require a through cleaning before that engine's ready to run again.

I'm with you in thinking that the EZ-Start could be masking the real issues. Just because it's spinning, doesn't mean it didn't spin a spur gear, or come unmeshed from the engine crank. I would pull it off completely and focus on making the engine run again before putting it back on. It's a 'luxury,' not a 'necessity,' after all.

As I mentioned, the Image .15 in my 30+ yr-old NitroHawk was similarly 'seized,' and took a simple soaking of After-Run Oil and 20% Nitro to get things moving again. Since I'll be replacing the fuel lines, cleaning the tank, using a new filter and glow plug, I have every confidence it'll run again - once the weather is more favorable.

 

[Suburban_Hooligan]

As a long-time Nitro guy, and 1:1 mechanic myself, when someone says 'it won't turn over,' I immediate think 'seized crank & piston,' and start there. If the engine does indeed 'turn over but won't start,' then it's a fuel or ignition issue. Since it ran when it was put away, and has been sitting this whole time, common sense would blame poor storage technique that will require a through cleaning before that engine's ready to run again.

I'm with you in thinking that the EZ-Start could be masking the real issues. Just because it's spinning, doesn't mean it didn't spin a spur gear, or come unmeshed from the engine crank. I would pull it off completely and focus on making the engine run again before putting it back on. It's a 'luxury,' not a 'necessity,' after all.

As I mentioned, the Image .15 in my 30+ yr-old NitroHawk was similarly 'seized,' and took a simple soaking of After-Run Oil and 20% Nitro to get things moving again. Since I'll be replacing the fuel lines, cleaning the tank, using a new filter and glow plug, I have every confidence it'll run again - once the weather is more favorable.

when i hear "wont turn over" i think the crank is spinning but the engine isn't starting. and sense he had already replaced the glow plug i assumed it wasn't seized. so i went straight to thinking fuel delivery issue or ez start issue.

 

[vtrang]

Thank you I got the engine started but its idling way to high and then dies right away. Does anyone know the stock adjustment for the idle screw and low jet for the carb on a traxxas 4tec? The instructions are unclear

 

[CertifiedMike]

What is unclear?

 

[Mister 4x4]

when i hear "wont turn over" i think the crank is spinning but the engine isn't starting. and sense he had already replaced the glow plug i assumed it wasn't seized. so i went straight to thinking fuel delivery issue or ez start issue.

Everybody has their interpretations - it's all about what you learned growing up. I think it's pretty obvious if the engine is rotating, then it's 'turning over,' but if it won't fire, that's where the term fits for others. It's all good! Sounds like he just needs to get the carb adjusted and he's ready to rock!