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MrClean

MrClean

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Kansas City
RC Driving Style
  1. Bashing
I got my Revo3.3 and went to break in the engine this morning. It will start and idle just fine, when I slowly apply the throttle, it dies. It will fire right up again and idle, just won't accelerate. Right now it's about 70 degrees with 75% humidity. I haven't messed with the HSN or LSN yet, I wanted to break it in if possible before messing with the settings. I'm not seeing smoke out of the exhaust either, not sure if you should when it's at idle. Thanks in advance, and I'm a complete newbie so you may have to dumb-down your advice for me. LOL
Thanks!! :bow:
 
I'd say its a bit lean, although thats unusual for Traxxas factory gear. If it idles ok just richen her up a little, just a little, and let her idle for a good minute or so to get some heat into it. Then try and open it up to say, half. If it dies again I'd open the high speed needle up a full quarter turn and try again. If it sounds like you have made some progress then richen the LSN up a little more and try again etc. I dont care what it sounds like always make sure there is some smoke, in fact for initial break in lets see some oil coming out the exhaust.....
 
When I run my initial break in on nitro engines, there's usually a slight bit of oil dripping out of the exhaust along with the smoke. Although in extreme cases it can actually be too rich for break in, I think this is extreme and it's a lot better to be on the rich side than the lean side. If you have trouble with it again and need some help, let it idle for a few minutes and use your infrared temp gun to check the temps. That might help some of the gurus in here assist with the tuning process. If you don't have a temp gun, go get one right now because it wil be invaluable. I think it's so important to tuning that if I had the time I would walk to your house and bring you mine.
 
I went back out and tried again, there was a considerable about of oil coming out of the exhaust. I gave it a 1/8 of a turn to lean it out on the hsn. That allowed me to give it some throttle without dying. But it was VERY sluggish from a stand-still. I gave the lsn the same 1/8 turn to the lean side and it will accelerate without having to 'punch' the throttle now.

You were right BB, it wasn't too lean, it was too rich and like I said it's extremely humid here today. I still have smoke under acceleration and there is still a bit of oil coming out of the exhaust. So I think I'm good until it's broken in, then I can fine tune it.

I was just a little scared of messing with the needles. Too big of an investment to screw up a brand new engine. And I'm so green at these nitro cars, I just needed a little push to make the adjustments....haha. Thanks for the advice man!!
 
Dont be afraid to tune....
Remember you can undo what you did if it doesn't feel right, just dont wait too long.
I was kinda thinking that it WAS too lean, even though it shouldn't have been. If the engine suddenly dies completely then it'll be too lean, but if it sounds like its gurgling or choking, then its obviously too rich. Its not quite that simple, but its a start.
Sounds like you got a handle on it, good luck.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm still 'green' at tuning but I think I'm getting it close. Still have smoke and a little oil coming out of the tail pipe. But damn that thing scoots.

A couple questions. I don't see any smoke when it's idling or under very light throttle (still sounds like it's 'gurgling' a bit) but about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle I see a good trail of smoke. Is that normal?

I think this next one comes from being new to this type of engines. I've figured out that they idle much higher than other engines. I got it to where it seems to run good, when I shut it down and it cools off, then start it back up, it seems like it's out of tune for about 1/2 a tank. Do they normally need to 'warm-up' to run as tuned?
 
While it's idling, you should get little spit droplets on your finger when holding it near the exhaust. Use a temp gauge just to be on the safe side.
 
Another newbie question, this time about upgrades. This truck will be a basher and it's a completely stock RTR 3.3. I'm not getting TOO crazy with it yet, but I can already feel it coming on. =devil

My question is what kind upgrades would you recommend? I see that aluminum parts are plentiful, but I've read where they can bend easily and are pretty much done for after that. I would think titanium parts would be the best, but obviously cost more. Is titanium considerably heavier than aluminum? I know you can't 'break-proof' a basher but I'd like to know what would take the most pounding? Once again, thanks for the knowledge :bow:
 
The only alloy parts I added was the carriers and pivot balls.
Titanium weighs less than aluminum i think. I have Ti pivot balls, these are necessary IMO. The traxxas pivots snap easy. I have the GH racing al. carriers, they are holding up to my punishment nicely.
 

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