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Revo T-Maxx won't start

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J

j-hemcobra

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I have been building and racing electric rc's for years but bought my son a 3.3 Revo T-Maxx for x-mas for our first nitro rig. It was broken in properly and now we are on our 6th or 7th tank of fuel since break in and this thing won't start at all. The ez start gives a positive glow signal light I replaced the glow plug with a brand new one and i can see the engine is getting fuel but it simply will not start. I did notice the sounds this thing is making when the ez-start is turning the engine over are quite different than when it was actually starting too. I just don't know much about nitro stuff. Can anyone help me trouble shoot this thing ? My son is really disappointed and now I have a $500 paperweight !
 
j-hemcobra said:
I have been building and racing electric rc's for years but bought my son a 3.3 Revo T-Maxx for x-mas for our first nitro rig. It was broken in properly and now we are on our 6th or 7th tank of fuel since break in and this thing won't start at all. The ez start gives a positive glow signal light I replaced the glow plug with a brand new one and i can see the engine is getting fuel but it simply will not start. I did notice the sounds this thing is making when the ez-start is turning the engine over are quite different than when it was actually starting too. I just don't know much about nitro stuff. Can anyone help me trouble shoot this thing ? My son is really disappointed and now I have a $500 paperweight !
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Start off with your high speed needle out 4 and 1/2 turns out, depending on outside temp. Set the idle screw so the slide is open about 1 millimeter. Then set your low speed needle a hair out from flush. The idle thing is a common mistake but if you think that's ok then turn your low needle in a bit at a time, it will start. Oh yeah first things first, take out the plug and spin the motor upside-down to clear it out. Replace the plug. Then try unhooking the pressure line from the exhaust and blowing in it to prime the engine. Watch and listen for the fuel hitting the carb and do not blow more than 1 second past that. It should go!

Don't forget plugs are pretty much disposable. When in doubt, swap it out.
 
Definitely install a new plug. Tank 6 is the optimum time to do so. I noticed you said it sounds different when the EZ start is spinning..Do you no longer hear the compression thumping sound? If so, it has broken the OWB or it's slipping due to oil build up. Take off the engine and remove the EZ start unit. Make sure you have the manual handy! The OWB is responsible for turning the engine starter shaft. It's a needle bearing in an odd shaped metal case. Kind of looks like a nut. Clean it with any good degreaser, then inspect it. It has a plastic cage for the needle bearings. This is the part that breaks.
Look closely, the cracks can be hard to see. If it is cracked, replace it. TRaxxas imports those from Germany, so be prepared to shell out 20-30 bucks for a new one. If it is OK, grease it with a thick grease like automotive high temp wheel bearing grease. It repels the oil in the fuel for a while and prolongs bearing life. I have done this for years, never had one slip due to the grease. The reason they break is ALL new engines need to be preheated by some means to at least 150F, 200F is ideal. Then loosen the glow plug 1/4 turn, and fire it up. Gently clear the engine out by slowly revving it, then tighten the plug back up. This method makes the engine & OWB last 10x longer.
 
Got it running

Thanks for your replies. It turns out it actually wasn't getting any fuel for some reason. I adjusted the carb like you said blew it out and put the new glow plug in primed it like you suggested and it fired right up and ran great. Thankfully it wasn't the bearing but i took it out and cleaned it anyway. thanks again.
 
And just for clarification, Traxxas doesn't sell a Revo T-Maxx... It's either a Revo, or it's a T-Maxx... Two different models... :D
:cool:
 
Thanks 2revo1maxx that help me on my revo! i need to tune it and i will be ready to go!
 
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