Hard first day with savage x 4.6

[nafie]

Ok, here is my story. I got a brand new x for christmas from the wife. I live in Maine and had to wait to get some reasonable weather to get broke in and running. So a couple of weeks ago I started the process to my disappointment the steering servo was bad right out of the box! I dropped in a spare I had and called HPI and they got a replacment right out. This being my first nitro I made some mistakes. First, the rotostart battery false peaked and was not turning fast enough and the battery that came with the glow starter was not getting the plug hot enough, leading to some flooding. After a frustrating couple of hours outside in 30 degree weather I put it up drained the fuel and lube the motor. Fast forward to today, I purchased a XTM rechargeable ignitor and charged in for 14 hours. I also picked up a Odonnell TGX1 temp gauge, and a spar plug I havent used yet I think its a r3 oddonell. So today I had no flooding but struggled to keep it running after I removed the ignitor ( it was about 38 degrees here today). i wrapped the head in tin foil and a clean rag for extra warmth. I was succesful in getting the break in procedure done, temps were only in the 120-130 range> was that warm enough? It was a struggle to keep in running after a refill until it got warm enough( i used the throttle trim to help) I then started my tune on the 5th tank ended up with about 1/4 turn on high speed needle only. temps
only got to 160 then my temp gun quit (battery)! tried to finish off my fuel for the day and my owb gave out on the last tank! So tonight I did some reading and began to take it apart. i found the lower corner of the backing plate broke and missing the screw! i thru the owb in some alcohol to soak and craked a beer. this is my first nitro and my first HPI the thing is i am about 50. bucks shy of ordering a apache c1 and i am having second thoughts. I would like some input on temps for break in and owning HPI

 

[TaterX]

The truck is tough but I haven't had good luck with the engines.

 

[nafie]

What sorts of problems reliability or tuning?

 

[alien13]

I've had no problems with mine. Be patient and get though the break-in, the Savage is a great truck and it's tons of fun.

 

[TaterX]

Carb leaks, bearing leaks, and terrible fuel economy. Run it till it blows and get something better.

 

[nafie]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm not one to give in on anything and I did love the sound and smoke today can't wait for warm weather and a great tune in my local gravelpit!

---------- Post added at 9:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 9:42 PM ----------

Carb leaks, bearing leaks, and terrible fuel economy. Run it till it blows and get something better.

What motor would you reccomend for the future?

 

[MudSlinger33]

The temp may also be cause for your frustration. Nitro's, just like diesel's, don't run well when cold. As stated, the savage is a great truck, but with all nitro powered rigs, patience is needed. I have had great luck with both my 4.6 engines, but nothing can beat the power of an LRP .32! Hopefully warmer weather will cure your problems.

 

[alien13]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm not one to give in on anything and I did love the sound and smoke today can't wait for warm weather and a great tune in my local gravelpit!

---------- Post added at 9:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 9:42 PM ----------



What motor would you reccomend for the future?

LRP .28, .30, or .32, all are great.

 

[TaterX]

Thanks for the encouragement, I'm not one to give in on anything and I did love the sound and smoke today can't wait for warm weather and a great tune in my local gravelpit!

---------- Post added at 9:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 9:42 PM ----------



What motor would you reccomend for the future?

I've only owned 3 nitro engines. The F4.6, k4.6 and Rb concept st28. The Rb blows them both away in every department. Everyone seems to like the lrp and picco.

 

[Mrbuckyohare]

I broke in my K5.9 XL about 3 weeks ago. It was pretty frustrating since I had to recharge my roto start battery about 3 times in one day, since it kept dying from trying to start it. Once I got it tuned I never touched any of the needles again, and it runs perfect everytime. It's pretty much the same temperature here all year round though.

I don't know why people put the k5.9 down, I never had any problems with my engine so far. It's super powerful and starts up with one touch of the roto start now. Hope it stays that way too.

I also had to change a servo right after I finished the break in procedure. My throttle/brake servo died on me. I replaced it with the Hitec 645mg servo. I didn't even bother to get another crap servo from HPI.

I hope you have better luck with it and everything turns out great. Maybe it's the cold weather that's making the break in procedure harder than normal.

 

[nafie]

Servo issues will be cured with savox 1256 tg for steering and savox 0252 mg for throttle and brake. i really think warmer weather will help a lot, can't wait. I also dropped in a hpi 1200mAh receiver pack hopefully that will be stout enough for the increased servo power. The braking on this rig is not good and I did notice a blake glaze on the discs is that normal, or did i get some fuel or something on them and cause them to glaze. i tried turning in the brake adjustment it didnt seem to do anything.

 

[miller94]

i had the same problem with the back plate, i called hpi and they sent me a new one no questions asked. i also went through a couple owb. i'd wait till the weather warms up a bit before trying to use the savage. i have enough trouble running mine in the cold with the proper tuning, nitro engines just dont like the cold at all!! if the temps dont get high enough, you probably need to adjust the low speed needle, theres a tuning flow chart in the nitro forum, here's the link https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60832 have patients with this truck, once you get it running and its warm outside, this truck is incredibly fun!

 

[MudSlinger33]

Removing the spring on the throttle/brake linkage and replacing it with a small piece of fuel tubing will help increase your braking power.

 

[nafie]

The love on this forum is great, I live in a rural area and rely on the internet for all my rc info and this is the most welcome I have felt on any forum. It will increase the fun I will have with a nitro truck knowing I have this resource. I will try the braking power tip

 

[battyone]

i found the same broken screw hole on back plate as mine is relativly new also. will source one on the internet other than collapsing the clutch bearings and a couple spur gears I'm pretty happy with overall performance.

 

[nafie]

So I replaced the backing plate and owb and the temps outside reached 61f today so I gave it another try. Truck started right up (stock needle settings) but as soon as I removed the glow start truck would die. I wrapped the head with a rag to help keep it warm temps on the head were only reaching 120f. Finally after an hour of struggling to keep it running I got temps up to 150f I leaned it out alittle and drove it around very lightly and got it up to 180f. I refilled and was going to continue on break in but it just kept stalling and had no power. I was very careful not to flood it when continually starting it but the owb gave out again so now i am stuck again. Any help would be great throw some questions @ me. I dont know what to do?

 

[battyone]

Would a hotter glow plug for when running in cooler temps help at all?

 

[nafie]

I am willing to try anything! I have a odonnell odo99 but the size was a little different didnt dare use it anybody confirm it will work? also wondering if its the spring and pin behind the owb thats not catching. seems like the owb should last longer than 15 20 starts and I did not turn it over when flooded if it didnt start right away i pulled the plug and dumped it. Is 61f still to cold? this is my first nitro but i am not a green horn to motors and light mechincs but i am struggling with this!

 

[nafie]

so i just took it apart again and spring and pin was not engaging the plate so i cleaned it and stretched the spring and it engaged should be able to try again tomorrow. dont know if I should set the high speed needle at factory or lean it out a little? its supposed to be near 70f tommorrow

Also i am using byrons 20% with stock r5 glow plugs

 

[sur3fir3]

When breaking in my 5.9 I ran into a few issues similar to yours and my main problem was that the stock LSN setting on it was way too rich. I know you have a different engine, but here is what worked for me. First try leaving the igniter on for a bit until you warm up a bit then pull it off. If the engine still stops when you remove the igniter then double check your idle screw setting, and try leaning out the LSN at 1/8th turns until you are able to achieve a decent idle. Also search you tube for the HPI videos on break in and tuning. The thing to pay attention to when tuning is the sound of the engine.