I just had a heart attack. [with pics]

[pantherqs]

so, i've had my nitro car for a few weeks, its been all fine and dandy, till i tried to start it this morning only to have it crank for about 2 seconds and seize. no problem, i thought, it's just flooded.. took the glowplug out, drained fuel, nothing, still seized.... so, i proceeded to tear the motor down.. and when i did. well. the pictures should tell the story.

http://www.lo-cash.com/nitro/

would this be a warranty claim? or am i just retarded? to the best of my knowledge, i've followed everything on the breakin process etc... it appears the thing around the bottom of the rod broke off a piece and it screwed everything up

any input would be apprecaited.. i dont want to waste hpi's time if this is my own stupidity =(

 

[beason]

man it beat the snot out of that con rod.. you can try sending it back.. if you didnt do anything wrong they should replace it.

 

[AC48]

OMG! That conrod is trashed! If the crap in there is not dirt, then you should be covered. If you were running with a ncie clean air filter and happened something was majorly wrong with that engine. I see what you mean about the conrod bushing breaking, that could have been the problem, HPI should cover that. Give them a call and see what they say. HPI is usually good about customer service and they will take I a look at it I would think.

 

[RatzoRC]

Holy smokes!
It wouldn't hurt to send it to HPI.
Give it a shot.

 

[pantherqs]

thanks for all the help guys, its really appreciated...
yeah, i've washed the air filter every five tanks and reapplied the oil as the manual stated [i didnt drench it with oil though].. i couldnt see a single piece of dirt in there upon closer inspection, the only thing i see everywhere are metal shavings galore... even the housing is gouged up pretty badly...any other opinions?

 

[.21Rc10GT]

Geez... I think that gets grusome pic of the year award... If they dont cover it (which they should), you can always get something better... so it isnt all bad...

 

[pantherqs]

should i attempt to start it again? i just cleaned out the metal shavings and put them in a little baggie, the piston moves up and down freely and it appears theres good compression with the glowplug installed... by some mirracle, there's absolutely no scorching on the sleeve or piston walls...

 

[beason]

i wouldnt the con rod bushing is screwed.. and the con rod itself has chunks missing.. you run the risk of breaking the con rod at the end.

 

[pantherqs]

oh, yeah, i found a bushing that will fit it... but, i will take your advice and not touch a thing.

 

[Got Nitro?]

holy crap dude,that motor is seriouslly f-ed up.

 

[.21Rc10GT]

Have you given HPI a call?

 

[Plaidfish]

first off, what temps were you running at?
what brand fuel?
% of nitro content?
What is the oil content of said fuel?
How much fuel have you run through it?
what glowplug?
What gearing, i assume this would be whatever is stock on your car, or did you raise or lower the ratio?

Sorry if this sounds like I'm being a peepee but that's probably what the manufacturer will ask you before deciding on what to do....they may just well say " you screwed it by running too high nitro content w/ low oil content at very lean settings while being overgeared and a cold plug and it was detonating on the piston" reality not being so but they might hit you w/ any or all (if they're on crack).........but what were the conditions it was run???

 

[Monkey Wrench]

"Holy-What-Nitro%-Were-You-Running-In-That-Engine, Batman?" Man, that is one chicken-fried-chicken mill you got there!

If HPI does agree to pony up for a new mill (or at least a new P/S and conrod), I'd get a temp. gauge too and keep an eye on your temperature. From the coloring on the lip of the sleeve and on the brass fuel inlet nipple, looks like it got hot and may have leaned out on you. Sometimes an engine will lean out if the pressure line from the muffler to the fuel tank falls out or gets a hole in it.

Bottom line, that is one gruesome looking engine!

 

[pantherqs]

ah... okie.. well i'l explain...

the fuel was 15% nitro, i dont know the oil content by heart, dont have the jug handy.... i've run about a gallon and a half of it through the car... i used the stock glowplug during breakin and for about half of the first jug when it died, then replaced it with the hpi spares that i ordered... gearing is stock, same as with rest of the vehicle, didnt change a thing.... i was running it at two turns out on the carb.. during the breakin period i ran it at 3 [which was factory set&recommended to keep at during the entire break in].... the car emited a healthy smoke at wide open throttle at all times, so i doubt i leaned it out, however i can be pretty dumb at times so i'm not sure...

was there anything i did wrong?

also, i have one of those laser temp gun thingies... i used it to tune the motor every time, i'd run it around for a bit, check temp, and rich/lean it out untill it was at a happy 220-230

 

[bustedgears]

I think that's just a defect in the engine that had nothing to do with your use. Utilize HPIs warrantee.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Yup! Sounds like you got a bum engine, man! Let HPI send you a new one!

 

[pantherqs]

yey, i dont feel so dumb now... i'l give hpi a call tommorow and send them the pics... seeing as i'm a complete newb to this and it can be a little overwhelming, i was pretty sure i screwed something up, lets hope hpi doesn't think so neither =D
on a totally unrelated note, i ordered another onroad car from hpi today, this time not a RTR kit

 

[mnm]

if, and i say if Hpi does not replace it, and or you want a replacment rod, just PM me and ill be willing to send you the Rod i have from my T-15 Engine, that sitting on the shelf collecting dust... anything you want ill be happy to send over, i dont use that engine anymore.

also post up on what HPI tells you after the call.. and good luck

 

[pantherqs]

yay! thanks alot... just outta curiosity, what are my engine options with this car? i just got into this stuff and wouldnt mind forking over a few bucks on a better motor... would any motor bolt up? and any recommendations on motors would be great...

 

[mnm]

try out some of the O.S Engines there are some pretty good ones out there that will work with the car, id recommend a 18ss made by HPI, it has a Great amount of Torque and speed. (thats what I'm running at this momment in my Barney RS4)