Dodgey pull start after a run.

[CH3-NO2]

After a good long run, my pull start always goes funny. When I bring the buggy home, I give it a clean down and run some after run oil in the cylinder. But when I try to use the pull start to turn the engine over, it doesn't always catch proplerly and the cord just comes out, without actually turning the crank over. The cord will then retract back into the housing properly, it just it didn't turn the engine over :shrug:

I was told this was simply oil that had got on to the one-way bearing, but this was during the running in period when it was running real rich. It still does it now.

Any ideas? New pull start?

 

[HeartBreak]

Nope, just take the recoil off and clean the one way bearing. It may be either in the engine, or in the pullstart. Refer to your cars' manual for it's location. When removing the pullstart, to avoid the frustration of having a starter go BOING, have a THIN flat tool, such as a razor blade, to hold the spool into the recoil housing. Slide it in-between the pullstart and the backplate before you remove the housing entirely off. Once you get the recoil all the way off, tape it up or wrap a rubber band around it. Without the tape or rubber band, it WILL uncoil itself, and you WILL let loose multiple swears.

After that, take the bearing out, and shoot it clean with some denatured alchohol, then let air-dry overnight. Reassemble, and go for it.

If it still slips, the shaft that the bearing rides on may be worn. If that is the case, replace both the pullstart shaft and the bearing.

 

[SpitFireV12RR]

After that, take the bearing out, and shoot it clean with some denatured alchohol, then let air-dry overnight.

For future reference, do we burn the alchohol?

 

[olds97_lss]

What? As in, is alchohol in the fuel we use?

 

[HeartBreak]

For future reference, do we burn the alchohol?

Yes, but if you let the bearing sit overnight, the alchohol should evaporate enough to be considered safe (IE: it shouldn't temporarily raise your nitro percentage from say, 20% to 50%)

 

[CH3-NO2]

Thanks HeartBreak. The engine is only about 3 weeks old and only run about 2.5 litres of fuel. Surely the bearings/shaft can't be worn already, in which case, I will follow your advice for cleaning.

As a ball park figure, how long to pull starts usually last? Like years, months..?

 

[olds97_lss]

If taken off and cleaned every few bash sessions, they will last a quite a few gallons. If you neglect them and let the dirt build up in the bearing, it wears the shaft and bearing a lot faster.

 

[HeartBreak]

Just as olds' said; it largely depends on the maintenence. I have one on my t-maxx that's lasted thru two engines. I've also had one go to parts in less than three pulls. Ironically, by the same manufactuer (Megatech).

 

[CH3-NO2]

I'm a little nervous to take it off to give it a good clean, as I don't want the spring to uncoil. I've heard of the knife blade trick, but I just don't know what to expect when I pull it off.

Any advice?

 

[Candyman]

No guts, no glory. Routine maintenance of your rides, including the engine, is something that you need to become very familiar with. Disassembling the engine appears daunting at first, but once you've done it, it is very simple. Like was said above, when you are ready to remove the pullstart, first take the screws out while being careful to hold the start against the backplate. I usually then tip the engine so the start is on the bottom. Slip something flat between the start and the backplate then just lift the engine. Take it slow the first time until you get the feel of it (funny, that advice works for sooo many subjects). Once the start is off, put a piece of tape over the open part to make sure the spool doesn't pop out while you're shuffling things around your work area. It's as easy as that.

 

[CH3-NO2]

Excellent. Thanks for the help