Need to rant

[sinesthezia]

I am upset.

I took my little monster (duratrax raze buggy) out yesterday evening to fire it up.
Yet, I could not get it to start at all.
I did everything I was supposed to do (turning on the radio and controller, priming the engine etc)...then I began pulling the recoil starter to no avail. All I ended up doing was flooding my engine. After fixing that problem, I tried starting it again, and it didn't want to start.
I am pretty sure I need a new glow plug starter because it was giving me issues the day before. I have plans to buy a new one and see if that is the problem.

Nonetheless all I ended up with are bloody hands, frustration, and a buff right arm.

Do you guys have any tips on making a recoil start...well, easier to start? Aside from swapping it out for an electric starter?

I needed to rant because I just got this thing and I couldnt even use it!

Thanks

-Emily

 

[Aftrshck]

get a good glow plug igniter....a lot of these guys run a metered igniter....make sure the glow plug is in working order...take it out and put it into your igniter and see if it glows...that is one way to test it...

also, if it does glow...try to make sure the carb is adjusted properly...if need be set it back to factory specs and tune from there???? just a thought or two...

 

[SkyMaxx]

You are on the right track with regards to checking the glo-ignitor. My recommendation would be to replace the glo-plug first...or at least check to see if it needs replacing. Then verify the charge on your ignitor. From there...if still no fire, then replace the offending part.

As for making a recoil start more easily...I'm not certain that there is any magic solution. Proper priming, proper glo-plug, proper tuning...and a good solid yank of the starter cord is about all I know of.

 

[Rolex]

A good ignitor and a bright glow plug are a must. When using a pull start, don't give it long pulls like a lawn mower, but repeated short quick yanks. When an engine is properly broken in and tuned correctly, it should fire up in 2 or 3 pulls, consistently.
Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[Candyman]

There are some truths to this hobby that most are not quite prepared for. First off, you have to have the patience of a saint. Because conditions change enough from day to day to make an engine run wildly different at times. And no doubt at some point things will not go as planned. Which brings me to a second necessary quality. Problem solving. When something goes wrong, it takes patience and experience to work through the possible causes and get it sorted.
Sounds like you're doing a good job of problem solving. Although I can't quite find the post right now, there is a simple list of things that need to exist to start an engine. Fuel, air, compression and spark. That's it. If the engine isn't starting, one of those is not right. Sounds like in this case you have fuel, you have air, and compression. Spark is the question mark. And you're on the right track. I would check and re-check the integrity of the glow starter and the glow plugs. Make sure when the ignitor is attached, the plug glows bright.

 

[HeartBreak]

One thing that wasn't mentioned, was loosen the glowplug about one turn (use an 8MM socket if you don't have a decent plug wrench). It will lessen the compression, which will make starting it a lot easier.

Once the motor fires, tighten the plug back up slowly until it's firmly tightened.

Welcome to the board!

 

[robmob]

Wear a glove while yanking on the pull starter. I have been there with the blisters and the glove alleviates at least that problem.

 

[Timmahh]

i love the metered ignitors. put it on your plug and if it goes to the green the plug is good and the ignitor is charged. if it dont do anything ( the meter ) when you attatch it to the glowplug, try it on a loose known working plug. if it ligts it up the plug in the engine is bad. if it dont light up the known working plug the battery is dead.

they are worth the price of admission in my opinion.

i would pull the plug and see if it gets hot. if not drop in a new plug.

if it dont get hot charge the ignitor. after charge, check the plugs to make sure it gets them hot. install and start.

a starter box is by far the best way to start these motor imo.