Help - 1st time starting Nitro RC

[RichardLongley]

The charger said not to charge for more than 3 hours.

I wont run it in 'show off mode' until I have broken it in properly.

 

[NCNitro]

What kind of igniter and charger are you using?

 

[RichardLongley]

CML

Fastrax 1800

Was provided FOC by the LHS with the car, so I assume it is a very cheap set

 

[Rolex]

I'm glad to see it coming to life. Next time it starts, just let it sit there. If it keeps running, no matter how poorly, just let it run. Any changes to your carb settings when it's cold will be futile.
We also need to know what it does while idling before we can tell you what to do next. Tapping the throttle will probably stall it, so if you need more to keep it running raise the throttle trim on the radio. If the car starts to creep, lower it a little till the clutch doesn't engage.

 

[RichardLongley]

The 3rd fuel tank running the engine in on idle is currently in progress.

I dont think I would have got it going without help from you guys, so I thought I would give some feedback regarding the key points that were stumbling blocks:

1. The engine was VERY tight, and the pull almost impossible to pull without loosening the glow plug

2. The carb. was too far open. I had set it up as instructed, but the carb couldnt be closed to the required 1mm setting.

3. The engine wouldnt start without a warm up from a hair drier 1st. The engine and car were around 20 deg C (approx 55 deg F) but outside was only at around 4 deg C (approx 38 deg F)

4. Once I rectified the above, I found the engine was racing. I found I could get the engine going, and then keep it going by setting the carb opening to around 3 mm open, and as soon (IMMEDIATELLY) as the engine started turning over, trim back the server gradually. Of course trimming it back too much stalled it, but if I didnt trim it back enough it also stalled


The 2nd tank ran almost fully without stalling at all, and the 3rd fuel tank is running and sounding far more even and 'loose'


I can now head onto a flat area and run it at low speed for a couple of tanks.



Once again - THANKS GUYS - Boxing day Technical support!! can't beat it!!!!

 

[Rolex]

Now that you've idled a few tanks through it, lean the LSN about 1/16 and drive it around slowly. Make sure the engine gets up to temp before leaning it any more. Just keep driving it slowly, and about every half tank, shut it off with the piston at BDC. Let it cool completely and start it again.
You will have to adjust the idle accordingly, but when you start getting a good idle and good take off, start to run it a little faster, only this time you'll be leaning the HSN for WOT.
Once you're good on that end, you might need to re tweak your idle and LSN.

 

[RichardLongley]

I had problems starting it again today. I ran 2 more tanks on idle, but when I tried later in the day I couldnt get it to start.

It is very cold, and I didnt have access to a hair dryer in the 2nd session.

I do however think that the LSN setting must be WAY out. Is there a way to set it - there are no instructions for this like there are for the HSN (it recommends closing the HSN and opening 3 full turns.)



We just got back home, so the plan is to make sure the glow plug starter is WELL charged (I am sure this has also been a problem) and I will also make sure the engine is warmed a little before I try (The 2nd session I tried - when it failed - was after travelling with the RC Buggy in my car, and the outside temperature was around 35 deg F)

Any other thoughts

Will it become a whole lot easier to start once it is broken in?? how much of my problems are down to it being a new engine, and how much is it settings and/or lack of experience on my part??

 

[charliejp]

IMO that engine is at least a small part of your problem. I only ran mine for about 4-5 tanks past break in before I pulled it and put in a os 18 cvr. I called HPI recently and they have discontinued that motor. I've heard it said before that most HPI motors are a little harder to start. Put a rotostart on that thing and it'll start a lot easier.

 

[cptvkirk]

I really need to be more awake when reading posts and thinking about replying

 

[RichardLongley]

I had a play (in the dark)


It started a lot better using a hair dryer. Hopefully it will get better, it isnt practical to use a hair dryer every day,,, but then these last 2 days have been as cold as it ever gets here, I am certain it will be easier to start once the weather warms up (its around 30 deg F at the moment)


I also think I am being a little over cautious with the engine, I think it needs a few revs, I am sure now its just a case of getting the Idle speed right, and that will be also easier I think once I start leaning it out a little.

I will keep updating this thread, because from looking on the internet, I am not the only person who has found them simply difficult to get up and running.

 

[Racer 1966]

I had a play (in the dark)


It started a lot better using a hair dryer. Hopefully it will get better, it isnt practical to use a hair dryer every day,,, but then these last 2 days have been as cold as it ever gets here, I am certain it will be easier to start once the weather warms up (its around 30 deg F at the moment)


I also think I am being a little over cautious with the engine, I think it needs a few revs, I am sure now its just a case of getting the Idle speed right, and that will be also easier I think once I start leaning it out a little.

I will keep updating this thread, because from looking on the internet, I am not the only person who has found them simply difficult to get up and running.

So you've idled 4 tanks? I think you do need to run it a bit. I usually just run in a big oval, accellerate moderately then coast , turn around and accellerate again then coast. Keep the rpms fairly low, with short blips of higher rpm but no WOT.

 

[RichardLongley]

I have idled 3 tanks, and I wanted to run it a bit, but it wouldnt start.

I got home (and access to hair dryer( and I had a play and managed to start it reliably. I was able to rev it a little, enough to drive it if it was in contact with the groung.

I couldnt do more than that because it was 10:30 pm.

I will be running it tomorrow morning.

 

[Rolex]

They are usually difficult when they are new due to several reasons. They are tight with too much compression, they are set factory rich, and you are not familiar with the settings. Major point, cold is not your friend when breaking one in.

 

[RichardLongley]

I am starting to see that.

It was VERY noticeable the affect of using a hair dryer.

Everything is cold, not just the air. The engine, the fuel.

I was confident I could start it at will tonight, so I look forward to daylight tomorrow.

On the bright side, it has had 3 and 1/2 tanks at low revs, and that can't be a bad thing

 

[Rolex]

It won't hurt, but it's pretty much the old school method of break in. A good break in is all about heat cycling...done to expand and contract the sleeve and piston to a good pairing. The better the break in, the better the dependability of the engine.

 

[RichardLongley]

I ran it this morning.

It is clearly running VERY rich on factory settings. I found it would often stall if the revs dropped, and it was not even slightly responsive.

I hope to take it out again and start leaning it out this afternoon