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4.6 break in trouble

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2

2fat2run

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new to the hobbie, just got a savage x 4.6 and trying to break in. starts up runs for a second and dies, it wont stay running at all. i adjusted the HSN a little and the LSN a little but same outcome, runs and dies. still on first tank of gas. need some help, thanks guys.
 
Does it die with the glow ignitor still on it, or when you take it off? If it dies after you take it off, leave it on.
These engines are set very rich from the factory, but if you can't keep them running you'll have to make slight adjustments.
You'll only be idling or driving in slow circles for a few tanks, so don't change the high speed needle from factory. The LSN, or low speed needle probably needs to be leaned slightly. Don't punch the throttle, but just adjust it in very small increments till it idles on its own, then remove the ignitor and start to slowly drive it around.
Good luck, keep us posted.
 
yea it dies as soon or right after the glow plug ignitor is removed. how long is to long to leave the igniter on the plug?
 
It's not a problem as long as the engine is running. If it's needed to keep the engine running through the first tank, that's fine.
 
ok, so. i left the glow plug igniter on pretty much the whole first tank of gas, whith the exeption of a couple times i ttook it off and it stalled. I also leaned out the LSN. now on the second tank and it still wont stay running. should i leave the igniter on again? how many tanks should it take for it to start running on its own? uuhg
 
Leave the ignitor on as long as you need to. For the fourth tank, you can start to lean it out enough to get it running on it's own, and you'll have to anyway, because you need to be able to drive it by that point. You said you leaned it out already, you shouldn't do that. Factory settings are rich for a reason, leaning it out during break-in can either damage the engine or shorten the life of the engine.

Is it cold where you live? If so, you should have a heat gun handy, cold can be harsh on a nitro engine.
 
yea its starting to get cold here and thats the reason i was thinking about leaning it out. i guess i will return every thing back to factory settings and keep grinding away on those tanks of gas. i will let you guys know how its going, thanks for all the info!! I'm sure i will have more dumb newbie questions in the future. Thanks!!
 
Instead of leaning it, wrap the head with aluminum foil, and put a rag or sock over it, just watch your temps so they don't spike.
 
Bump the idle up some until it runs on its own make sure the wheels are off the ground for the first two tanks putting a load on an overly rich engine will cause them to stall out.
 
Please, if you're going to wrap the head then have a temp gun handy and check your temp often. I know where I live that wrapping the head is a bad idea.
 
You can cover as little as one fin, if that's all it takes. Just DO NOT lean the engine out to build heat. Start on the safe side, and as stated above, watch those temps. 210-220 is good for break in. Set the piston at bottom dead center immediately after you shut the engine off.
 
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Alright, still breakin in the motor, trucks been up on the stand and i've run 3and1/2 tanks now. still have to keep the igniter on the plug the entire time to keep motor running, takes longer to start ever time now when cold. so now what, do i keep running it on the stand until it will run by itself without the igniter? i also have the heater going in the garage so its not cold in there. should i be adjusting anything at this point to try to keep it going on its own?
 
2fat2run said:
Alright, still breakin in the motor, trucks been up on the stand and i've run 3and1/2 tanks now. still have to keep the igniter on the plug the entire time to keep motor running, takes longer to start ever time now when cold. so now what, do i keep running it on the stand until it will run by itself without the igniter? i also have the heater going in the garage so its not cold in there. should i be adjusting anything at this point to try to keep it going on its own?
Click to expand...

by now you want to be running it on the floor at half throttle. Do a few more tanks at half throttle and then start using full throttle for 1 second blasts. Once this is done you can adjust the HSN. This will reduce the amount of fuel you have going in and keep the glow plug lit by itself (without the help from the ignitor). the reason its stalling when you take the ignitor off is probably because its running very rich. (too much fuel) Once you have completed the break in process it is advisable to use a new plug.
 
I'd change the glow plug now. An engine has to be awfully rich to snuff out a plug. Idling through tanks of fuel is the old, outdated way of breaking engines in. Most of the time an engine can't build enough heat by idling, so all your doing is putting unnecessary stress on the engine. Change the plug and drive it gingerly, making sure the temps do not get above 230. Run for 3-4 minutes after it's warmed up. Shut the engine off and put the piston to bdc. Repeat this process for 4-5 tanks. If your engine won't run without an ignitor with a new plug, it's too rich.
 
Yeeeees, got the truck running on its own now, without the igniter. drove it around half throttle for a tank and then full short burst for a tank, now I'm ready to start tunning. thanks all you guys for all the tips and help. can't wait to see what this thing can do.:bow:
 

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