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Blah! Trx3.3 eats bearings!
- Thread starter jerry7007
- Start date
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Scrogg
Hardcore RCTalk User
Traxxas fuel is crap period. Switch to something better with lower oil content.
The 3.3 is famous for the main bearings failng after a few gallons. Lots of RPMs tend to do that, we all know the 3.3 is a screamer on top end.
Why are you replacing them? Is it because of the fuel leaking out? That is normal.
Are the bearings actually failing?
The front bearings never gave me trouble on my Traxxas engines.
Give us a little more info please.
The 3.3 is famous for the main bearings failng after a few gallons. Lots of RPMs tend to do that, we all know the 3.3 is a screamer on top end.
Why are you replacing them? Is it because of the fuel leaking out? That is normal.
Are the bearings actually failing?
The front bearings never gave me trouble on my Traxxas engines.
Give us a little more info please.
jerry7007
RCTalk Talkaholic
- Thread starter
- #3
Lean
whats happening is that the bearing craps out and it leaks air! When it starts going into 2nd gear it sputters and trips all over its self! no matter how rich you put the hsn it still does it! i took the engine out, covered the carb and exaust and blew air in to the fuel port with fuel tubing, then i put soapy water near everything that could leak and the front bearing was showing a leakage. i just replace the bearing with traxxas front bearings. i also tend to run my engine i little rich.
whats happening is that the bearing craps out and it leaks air! When it starts going into 2nd gear it sputters and trips all over its self! no matter how rich you put the hsn it still does it! i took the engine out, covered the carb and exaust and blew air in to the fuel port with fuel tubing, then i put soapy water near everything that could leak and the front bearing was showing a leakage. i just replace the bearing with traxxas front bearings. i also tend to run my engine i little rich.
Scrogg
Hardcore RCTalk User
Sounds like you nailed it. Buy a better quality bearing? Your crank could possible have a slight wobble causing the bearings fail early.
Heck, send it back to Traxxas, they'll send you a new engine more than likely.
I ran my 3.3 on 30% Trinity Monster Horsepower fuel at 280F for 3 gallons. If I had replaced the main bearing like I knew it needed, it would have ran another 3 gallons easy.
I opted to let it die just so I had an excuse to buy the OS 21TM.
Heck, send it back to Traxxas, they'll send you a new engine more than likely.
I ran my 3.3 on 30% Trinity Monster Horsepower fuel at 280F for 3 gallons. If I had replaced the main bearing like I knew it needed, it would have ran another 3 gallons easy.
I opted to let it die just so I had an excuse to buy the OS 21TM.
RevoMan76
RCTalk Member
OS .21TM Temp Problem
I had the same problem with my 3.3 bearings. I only ran a gallon through it and I had to replace both engine bearings. I just finished breaking in my new OS .21TM on Traxxas 20% fuel. I purchased a new gallon of 30% blue thunder sport Nitro fuel. I richen up the hsn settings. The truck was running at between 240 and 255 degrees at Idle. What could be causing it to run so hot:whhooo:
I had the same problem with my 3.3 bearings. I only ran a gallon through it and I had to replace both engine bearings. I just finished breaking in my new OS .21TM on Traxxas 20% fuel. I purchased a new gallon of 30% blue thunder sport Nitro fuel. I richen up the hsn settings. The truck was running at between 240 and 255 degrees at Idle. What could be causing it to run so hot:whhooo:
The traxxas bearings are NOTORIOUS for crapping out, regardless of any precautions you take.
I have a big shipment of ceramic front & rear bearings for the 2.5 & 3.3 engine on order, which I will be selling for $35/pair. They should be here in approximately 2 weeks.
Email me at [email protected] and I will send you the ebay link when they go on sale. I've run these bearings for quite a while in my own motors, and they are great.
I also am working on a batch of modded cranks for the 2.5 & 3.3, they should be available around the same time for ~$30. These allow more fuel & air flow, so you can richen the engine without losing power, which will provide more lubrication to the bearings. I base my cuts off of the shape of the OS 18TZ crank, which is one of the highest performance .15-.18 cranks around.
I have one in my 2.5 and it's a rocket. Temps and idle are also improved, and RPM is much higher. OS knew what they were doing when they made this
Mark
I have a big shipment of ceramic front & rear bearings for the 2.5 & 3.3 engine on order, which I will be selling for $35/pair. They should be here in approximately 2 weeks.
Email me at [email protected] and I will send you the ebay link when they go on sale. I've run these bearings for quite a while in my own motors, and they are great.
I also am working on a batch of modded cranks for the 2.5 & 3.3, they should be available around the same time for ~$30. These allow more fuel & air flow, so you can richen the engine without losing power, which will provide more lubrication to the bearings. I base my cuts off of the shape of the OS 18TZ crank, which is one of the highest performance .15-.18 cranks around.
I have one in my 2.5 and it's a rocket. Temps and idle are also improved, and RPM is much higher. OS knew what they were doing when they made this
Mark
Captain Chaos
RCTalk Addict
I have had the bearing fail at 15 tanks of fuel 8 of those were break in.I can tell right away when they start to go because of the specific niose it starts making.I know I am only a tank away from erratic running,no idle and loss of power.These bearings are junk and Traxxas should admit they have a huge problem and do something to correct it.I had a 2.5 with like 4 gallons on it but I can't keep bearings in the 3.3's.2-3 sets of bearings per piston and sleeve,ridiculous.
