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Need help! Can't start my T-Maxx.

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vipgts112

RC Newbie
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Well, here it goes. I baught a used t-maxx with a Sirio .18TX engine in it to use in my senior design project for my electrical engineering degree. That was probably my first mistake. I also baught it when I lived where it was very cold and in the middle of the winter. Needless to say, I couldn't get it started and I didn't want to stay outside long enough to work with the tuning. I then baught an E-maxx for my project. Now I live where it is nice and warm and I have been trying to get the t-maxx running. I can't get it to start. It seems as though the engine does not get any fuel. I have pressure tested the fuel lines and tank and there are no leaks or clogs. If I cover the exhaust pipe about 75%, it will start and stay runnning for a few seconds. It seems like the exhaust pipe is too big and will not allow enough pressure back into the fuel pressure line. When it does start up for a few seconds, it doesn't idle very well. Could be a tuning issue, but more importantly, when it is started and without even touching the remote control, the engine revs up and sounds like it is running at open throttle. Luckily I always have the truck lifted off its wheels. I have to cut off the fuel in order to get it to stop. I don't know what kind of pipe is on it, but I do know it is not the stock Traxxas pipe. I don't have a local hobby shop so I am on my own here. Thanks for any help.
 
Sounds like it has a leak somewhere, probably in the fuel system or exhaust. Any tears or pinholes will cause this. It could also be gummed up with old fuel blocking the tiny hole in the main needle housing.
 
I have checked the fuel system with air pressure and with water and everything can flow freely and there are no leaks. I also know that the engine still has compression. I have cleaned every component of the carb just to make sure there wasn't a clog in it somewhere. Any other thoughts?
 
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Get it started then richen the LSN to see if it brings the idle down.
All nitro engines idle rough for the first few minutes, they don't like to be cold.
Before you start the engine, heat it with a heat gun or a hair dryer for a 4 or 5 minutes.
This will drastically improve how the engine starts and idles.
 
After a few hours of tinkering and getting very frustrated, I decided to put in an old glow plug and it worked! I had to do some adjusting on the throttle/brake linkage to get it to idle properly. Now I am just working on tuning. Thanks for the help.
 
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