Help - 1st time starting Nitro RC

[RichardLongley]

Hi Guys,

I Purchased and built an HPI MT2 18SS+

The build seemed to go well. I am a novice, and I was a little concrerned about the fly wheel setting, but I am fairly sure it is ok.


Problem is I can not get it to start. It doesn't even splutter.

I have made the following observations:

Fuel:

The fuel tank does not have a priming button, so I fed the fuel up to the carb. by blowing in the pressure return line.
I tried this a few times, and I did notice that the pressure builds if I blow too much fuel in. I pressume that this is the engine being flooded.
If I suspected the engine to be flooded at any time I removed the plug and drained it.

The Carb was set at the 1mm recommended level, and then opened further by manually adjusting the servo.
I tried it at 1/4 and at 1/2 open. No sign of life.

The pull seemed really quite stiff, so after a while, I decided that was not correct, and I loosened the plug a little, this indeed made the pull smoother and easier. But still doesn't start.

I checked the plug itself, removed it from the engine, and checked it glows - it does, very brightly.

So I am stuck,,,, I dont have a clue why it is not starting......


Can anyone give any tips??

 

[BMILLER]

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+break+in+a+lst+2&search_type=&aq=f

rcnt is ur friend but youtube will also help alot g/l.i can't help ya much with nitro but I'm sure u will get some other responses from so nitro guys in a lil bit

 

[Racer 1966]

When you suspected it was flooded,did you get fuel spitting out the pipe? When you "drained it" did fuel come out of the glow plug hole? When checking the plug, was it soaked with fuel?

My main point here is are we sure it's flooding and not starving for fuel.

 

[RichardLongley]

Good point

I didn't notice much fuel when I drained it


I did try putting a little fuel directly into the carb barrel, but no change

The resistance to more fuel being forced into the system did worry me

 

[Racer 1966]

When you blew into the pressure hose did you see fuel travel through the feed hose to the carb?

 

[RichardLongley]

Yes fuel completely filled the fuel lines

 

[charliejp]

I'm sure you probably did this but just in case, try checking your factory settings. Does that have th nitro star 18ss? If so, its set extremely rich. I had to lean even for break in just to keep it running.

 

[Racer 1966]

What temp is outside where you are trying to run it? If it's cold, try warming the engine with a hair dryer before trying to start it.

You said purchased and built, is this a new engine?

I'm gonna have to get off here for while, hopefully you can get it soon or someelse will pick up here.

If it is flooding, check out post #16 here

https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64567&page=2

 

[RichardLongley]

I'm sure you probably did this but just in case, try checking your factory settings. Does that have th nitro star 18ss? If so, its set extremely rich. I had to lean even for break in just to keep it running.

I tried using 'default' settings .

That is closing completely, then opening 3 turns.
Nothing happened

What temp is outside where you are trying to run it? If it's cold, try warming the engine with a hair dryer before trying to start it.

You said purchased and built, is this a new engine?

I'm gonna have to get off here for while, hopefully you can get it soon or someelse will pick up here.

If it is flooding, check out post #16 here

https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64567&page=2

It is cold outside, but the car was in the house, and so the engine will be at around 20 deg C

It is a new engine yes

 

[NCNitro]

I know this may sound funny, and I never see anyone suggest this, but you may want to try it. I found with HPI engines that they can be a bear to get started when they are cold, and new. Try choking it, take off the air filter, put your finger over the carb throat blocking off the air, then try starting it. I had to do this to get my original HPI engine to fire in my RS4 3, and it worked like a charm. Dont forget to securely reattach the air filter after the engine is running.

If you think about it, almost all 2 stroke engines have a choke, weedeaters, chainsaws, trimmers, but these engines don't for some reason. I was able to get my HPI engine to fire up fairly easily by doing this, where it wouldnt start at all prior to choking it. Just make sure your hands are clean, and there is no dirt at all around the carb, you don't want to get anything at all in the engine.

I thought of trying this since for many years I was a small engine mechanic for several landscape companies, and all the equipment has chokes, I was surprised how well it worked on the HPI engine.

 

[RichardLongley]

I tried chocking it, but no joy,,,,,,,,


But I am making progress.

Here is where I am at now:

I am sure things are better. When I 1st tried, it was REALLY stiff to pull. I slackened off the glow plug, and it was easier. By the time I did that, I had been trying for ages, and the glow plug starter had been in use for quite some time.
I had only given the glow plug starter a short charge - I checked it at the beginning, and it was working, but I just checked it again, and the glow plug starter is doing nothing.

So, I think that could be the problem - at 1st it was incorrect settings with a working glow plug starter, and by the time I had got the settings better, the glow plug starter has been drained.

So the glow plug starter is on charge now, and I hope that means I can get it going later.

I want to be able to run it idle a couple of times so that I can use it properly tomorrow,,,,,,,,



does that make sense - regarding the glow plug starter - it must have been in constant use for many many minutes, when I guess it would usually only be used for a few seconds at a time???

 

[RichardLongley]

well,,,, I charged the glow plug starter,,,,, and still nothing,,,,, so now I am completely stumped

 

[RichardLongley]

Can anyone offer any suggestions, this is driving me crazy

 

[Rolex]

Again, check the plug to make sure you have a bright glow.
Next, remove the air filter and look into the carb throat. Is it actually opening? It should look like this, when in the idle position:

If you have an idle opening, a hot plug, and still nothing, try raising the trim tab on your radio to allow more fuel in for starting. Loosening the plug to let off a little compression is good to do with a stubborn starting engine. As soon as it fires up, spin it down with the igniter and tighten it with the wrench.
Keep us posted, we'll get you going.

 

[RichardLongley]

Hi,

the instructions told me to start it with the carb opened 1/4

I have tried it with a whole variety of openings, from almost no opening, to half way.

I am getting good instant glow on the plug when I test it.



Is it possible for the engine to not start becuase the carb is TOO far open?

 

[Rolex]

At quarter throttle there's an excellent possibility of flooding it badly, particularly with the rich factory settings still in place. You would also engage the clutch at that setting, causing it to get away from you.
Try my suggestions above, and let us know.

 

[RichardLongley]

ok,, I spotted something,,,, the carb does NOT go as far closed as that

even when pushed back, it still shows around 1/4 open

 

[Rolex]

First check the trim tab on your radio. Turn it ALL the way down, then make the mechanical adjustment to your carb.
I'm pretty sure you're just flooding it every time you try to start.

 

[RichardLongley]

I hope your right,, and I am starting to think I am,,,,

I am not using the server at all, I started trying to start it with the air filter off, as it wasn't starting, I want to see what is happening - and see how open the carb is.

I am almost sure I could smell a very faint smell like it had turned over then,,, if it did, thats the 1st time.

I am going to try it again now,,, if I start it with the carb too closed,,,, will it just start and then stall??

woohooo!!!

ok,, it started,, and then stalled when my clumsy fingers tried to adjust the carb (probably shut it off completely)

I am going to build it back up again, and then try to run a tank on idle,,,, phew,, I am so relieved,,, I have a family get-together tomorrow, and it is simply VITAl that I can show off my new toy lol.

Thanks for your help,, I will let you know when it is idling 100% ok

well,, the glow plug starter is drained, so I couldnt start it again.

I am happy it will be ok now, but it will have to wait until tomorrow, because it is now after 10pm

Again, thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[NCNitro]

How long are you letting the glow igniter charge? It takes about 12-15 hours to completely charge one properly. Also, if you have not properly broken in the engine, I would suggest not showing off with it tomorrow unless you are willing to buy a new engine very soon.