First Buggy...First Dumb Mistake...

[Eddie_m63]

New member here and this is what i did...

I started my rc without putting batteries on the receiver, now as soon as the engine started it went full throttle, i had no idea how to stop it so i empty the fuel thank and it stopped lol.

My question is as follows this was the first start of the truck


Did i damage anything?
Putting batteries on the receiver prevent it from happening again?

 

[olds97_lss]

Depends on how long it ran. Usually, new engines are set so rich that WOT (wide open throttle) really isn't that bad for it. Granted, it's not something I'd do for fun, but if you got it shut down quickly, it should be fine.

For future reference if you have a run away again, rip off the fuel line, then it will only run a few seconds and you shouldn't hurt yourself. It will make a mess, but it's better than frying your finger trying to kill the engine by plugging the exhaust or hitting the flywheel.

Putting batteries in should help avoid this in the future. However, if you had a TRS (throttle return spring), it would have held the carb closed. That's a safety item that should become a standard thing you seek and install on any nitro rig. It's there to help if your battery pack dies while running.

There are many kinds for many vehicles, this one works pretty good for 21 (big block) engines, but may be too long for small block engines:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXNFG6&P=7
It connects to the high speed needle neck and wraps around the carb, the little hook connects to the throttle slide on the carb. So even if the ball cup pops off your carb, this will bring the throttle slide in to idle position. Probably the safest and most direct version to use.

Or, any of these:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDTA1&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVG87&P=7
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUP98&P=7

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SWK3233
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=LOSA9409
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=DYN6640

You should be able to use at least one of those on your rig.

As a side note, the best way to kill your engine during "normal" use is to touch the flywheel with a screwdriver handle. Plugging the exhaust also works, but that has a tendency to flood the engine, which makes it hard to start back up.

 

[Rolex]

Please, please, take a few minutes and look through the manual. You could have destroyed your new truck in less than a minute. You ran the risk of it running away where it could have smashed into something, or you could have over revved the engine and blown it apart.
This is a machine, and you need to have some knowledge of it before you fire it up. Without batteries, you have NO control whatsoever.

 

[Eddie_m63]

well thanks for the help, it just feels dumb to start a car without knowing how to stop it lol. Well it only run for less then a minute.

 

[Rolex]

You should NEVER have started it without knowing how to control it.

 

[chuck3]

control is #1 when it comes to these things. thats why the call it radio control. dont ever start your nitro without your radio and reciever on. always turn your radio on first! be sure to read the manual and look into the stickys at the top of this topic. some other things you may want to know, never run without a fuel filter or a failsafe!! Rolex will be on your ass if you go without one.

 

[Rolex]

Again, read through the manual before you attempt to start it again. You need to understand how these things work, and why they need batteries as well as fuel. If you don't read you manual, and you don't take the time to break it in properly, it's over.
You can enjoy it for several years, or you can kill it on day one. It's up to you to do it right.

 

[Eddie_m63]

yes, i added batteries and adjusted the throttle, why would factories leave it at full throttle. Well i read the manual several times and understand about the adjustments, it just never mentioned installing batteries lol. Now is fully loaded and it was a blast.

 

[reighard53]

did you break it in properly?

 

[Eddie_m63]

Well i am getting there, i only run about a tank and a half. Manual says about 4 to five tanks. So I have some work to do, but it was getting dark.

 

[Rolex]

why would factories leave it at full throttle.

It would NOT have been full throttle if you had installed the batteries and gotten familiar with the functions.
Part of the break in process is for the engine. A lot of it is for the inexperienced new user.