Brand new T-MAXX won't start

[05christj]

I took my brand new t-MAXX out of the box lastnight and this morning tried to start it. I took the body off, connected the ez starter, plugged the exhaust with my finger to get fuel to the carb, tried to start it and it only tried to start for about 1 second other times it won't do anything, the glow plug light stays on but the engine light won't come on. If I pull the glowplug then it will crank without a problem. Please help I just spent $500 on this and it docent work I'm very upset.

 

[MudSlinger33]

You may have plugged the exhaust for too long resulting in a flooded engine. Try turning the truck upside down while turning the engine over to clear out any excess fuel.

 

[05christj]

I just did that also pulled the air filter off the carb was full of fuel. Also dripped some fuel out of the exhaust. I still don't know why the ez start only runs for a second at a time. I put the ez start battery on the charger just for the he'll of it. When the light turned green I'll try again.

 

[tmaxx 3.3 boss]

sometimes the battery in the ez start needs like 2-3 charged out of the box, also is the gas clip locked

 

[Snook Man]

New engines have tight pinch/compression. I recommend all new engines be pre-heated with a hairdryer to help relieve some pinch prior to starting. You can also slightly loosen the glow plug to help relieve some compression to allow the ez start to turn the engine easier if the engine is really stubborn. Just remember to tighten the plug once the engine is running.

 

[donf]

on my tmaxx's i find it better to use an igniter i find that the plug in is iffy at best and as snookman said bring it to temp before starting it up

 

[05christj]

Gas clip?

 

[theant]

Yeah, sounds like your flooded. New motors are set rich for break in. Dont get frusturated, thats what happens when you try to use the ezstart when it is flooded. As mentioned flip it upside down with the glow plug out and turn over the motor with the ezstart. put the plug back in and try to start it up again. I prime mine by removing the pressure tube from the top of the exhaust and blowing into it just until I see a little bit of fuel enter the carb. I then put the tubing back onto the exhaust and fire it up. Hope this helps.

I would highly recommend getting yourself a glow plug ignitor rather than the blue wire tat is attached to the glow plug through the cooling head. They are around $20-25 and well worth it. Heats the plug better.

 

[05christj]

Ok I'll try again when I get home. If it's a little rich now should I lean it out a tiny bit?

 

[theant]

If you havn't completed the break in of your motor, I would highly recommend following the steps outlined in your Traxxas manual for the proper break in. I dont think it would hurt to lean it out just a bit, but I would check your manual first to see what it says before hand. The closer you follow that break in method, the better off you will be in the long run.

 

[05christj]

Alright I'm about to be home I'll update after trying it again.

 

[05christj]

Ok got it started and ran 1 tank through it let it completely cool down and ran another tank through it with the body on. It is running extremely rich. There is unburnt fuel down the side of the body. I'm going to run another tank through it then tune it on the 4th tank tomorrow. This is going to be allot of fun.

---------- Post added at 8:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 8:09 PM ----------

I think I'll go pick up the glow plug ignighter tomorrow and I'll go ahead and pick up another motor incase this one goes to poop fast. What is the life expectancy supposed to be on these motors?

 

[donf]

no need to get another motor do it right and you'l have a blast with it this thing is new it should last a while good luck and have fun and that's whats its a about

 

[Phins Fan]

No need to invest in a new motor. Having unburned fuel coming from the exhaust is normal, especially during break in. If broken in properly theres no reason you can't get a few gallons of fuel thru it before you need to think about a new motor

 

[05christj]

A few gallons will go by fast at this rate it will go through a tank in 10-15 min just putting around.

 

[theant]

I thought that a 3.3 should be able to get 7-8 gallons through it before needing replacement/rebuild???? I have around 3 gallons through my 3.3 with no signs of slowing down. Still runs like it did when I first got it.

 

[Colds]

Hey, I had the same problem and the issue is that the ez start wasn't all the way charged. It tries for 2 seconds and acts like its locking up, but it's not flooded. For some reason, it can take a few charging cycles before it starts the car correctly.

Your motor is probably fine and you should be good to go now, have fun!

 

[maddmaxx65]

dont get disscouraged break it in like traxxas said it will run like crap untill its broke in.It dont take much to prime it.Also traxxas engines are very touchy lean it in at 1/8 inch turns its not a dirt bike

 

[05christj]

So today it's raining like crazy the tomorrow I work a 24 hr shift and off all day wednesday. Wednesday should be close to 70 so I'll run the last break in tank that after noon then tune. I'll get some videos up after it's tuned of some jumps and what not.

 

[Phins Fan]

I thought that a 3.3 should be able to get 7-8 gallons through it before needing replacement/rebuild???? I have around 3 gallons through my 3.3 with no signs of slowing down. Still runs like it did when I first got it.

I dont know about 7-8 gallons but you should get 5ish thru until you start having problems. But again it depends on how rich/lean you run and conditions you run it in.