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Savage XL

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redsheanazar

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Hi all, I'm new to all this.

Here is my problem...................I bought the new savage xl (rtr) and read the instruction manual. I put it up on blocks and ran a tank of fuel through it. I got home and ran 2 more tanks through it. The problem I have is it will not break without dying. And it will not take off without dying. I have a thermometer and it's running idle about 250 degrees. I have adjusted the high speed needle both ways and can't seem to fix it. The only difference when adjusting it seems to be the smoke. When I stomp it, smoke goes everywhere and it stutters and goes about 6' and dies.

If anyone has any info, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
T
 
You need to set your idle adjustment with the throttle trim all the way off and the brakes applied. When you have it set, lean the LSN about 1/16 of a turn and try running it. If you're still having the problem after several tries, and it's properly warmed up, lean it a hair more. You're still in break in, so be very careful when you lean it out. Keep checking the temps.
 
Is the LSN the same as the idle screw? And your talking about the throttle trim on the radio?

Thanks sooo much for the info, I'll try that out and see what happens. My glow plug started is dead, so I have it on charge. As soon as it is up, I'll try that out.

P.S. How will I keep it running with the throttle trim off? I can't keep it running without it turned up on the verg of the wheels engaging.

Thanks,
T
 
Tried what you said, but I can't get it running with the throttle trim cut off and the brake on :(

Any info would be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks,
T
 
First thing you need to do is properly identify the needles you are being told to adjust. Next pull your air filter off and turn the idle screw in (clockwise) until you have a 1mm - 1.5mm gap between the slide and carb body. Again, look in the manual there is a picture of what I am telling you to do.

Next turn your High Speed Needle in 1/8 to 1/4 turn (clockwise) and start the truck. Get the truck up to temperature and start tuning for performance.
 
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Thanks for the info Parputt.......................................I reread the book and it says "adjust until the throttle doesn't move when pushed". What does that mean?

I turned on the reciever and transmitter. I pulled the filter off and saw what you were talking about. When I pull the trigger it opens all the way up. When I let off the trigger, I have about 1mm gap. But when I put on the brakes, it closes almost completly up. I'm guessing this is why it's dying when I break.

Do I turn the idle screw clockwise untill it doesn't close up when I break?

Thanks again,
T
 
Yes and no..lol
What is happenning is you have the throttle trimmed up with the transmitter still. So you need to back it down until it hits the mechanical stop, which is the idle adjustment screw. You adjust both of these together, you want them to be in sync.
Lean the LSN and adjust the gap like Rolex said. He is dead on.
 
Ok, I think I may have made headway, but it's late at night, so I won't get to try it out untill tomorrow.


There is a brass screw to the right and below the HSN. I tighten that all the way down. It screws into the motor...........when you pull the trigger, you can see it. The other screw that is on the other side that is hooked to the throttle cable and is black.......I tighten that down and the radio wouldn't open it up, so I backed it back untill the radio opened it up. My gap looks wider, so I might be on the right track? Or I might not. :(

In any case, I really appreciate people like you, that help out your hobby. I'm learning soooo much.

Thanks again,
T
 
If you listen to what Rolex says, and do EXACTLY what he's telling you to do, he will guide you to a PERFECT tune every time. Too often I see people reading what he says, and then arguing with him when they haven't even had time to go out and start the truck, much less turn the needles. He is a tuning guru with these things and has helped me out SEVERAL times when I had issues that I couldn't resolve.
 
I had the same thing happining to my XL and Parputt537 gave me the very same tuning guide and my temp never goes over 250 and now it wheelies on command.Remeber smoke is your friend.This was also was my first time tuning too.
 
You need to do 2 things - before doing anything else....

1. Read the manual through - do it twice and learn which screws are where and what they do

2. Set everything back to 'flush' factory setting - the truck should run like this and is a starting point for break-in or if you have got in a mess.

Then, take your time and change 1 thing at a time and in small steps - between each adjustment you need to try it out and see what (if any) difference it makes.

If you just start turning screm in and out without a proper understanding of what you are doing you will damage your shiny (expensive) new truck :-(

Then follow the advice of the other posters who know what they are talking about - they are trying to help you after all!

Bloater
 
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Thanks sooo much for the info!

I have found out what all the screws are for. I had to go into the maintance sections to find it, but I found it. :)

I'm going to try it out at work this morning. :) I'm going to reset everything and do what rolex said. I believe it will work out! My boy will be very happy when I get to the camp and it's running like a champ.

Once I get it running nicely, do I mostly adjust the HSN or the LSN? I was reading where the HSN leans it out. Does the LSN do the same thing?

You guys rock!

Thanks,
T
 
Do I have to have the air filter on for it to run? The reason I'm asking is I have reset all the factory settings and am now just adjusting the idle screw and I can't get it to run for the life of me.

Thanks,
T
 
If it will not idle no matter what you do it may be the plug. Try an new MC-59 plug in it. These plugs help the idle quality. If the plug does not get it, the idle quality is directly controlled by the LSN and the idle speed adjustment. You set the transmitter trim to work with the idle adjustment screw.
The wheels are going to turn a little at idle until the clutch shoes wear in. If they turn just a bit it is ok.If the truck is trying to creep forward, that is bad. It will wear out the clutch fast.
 
Well, I got it to idle, yea! :) Now the only thing is when I punch it, it won't wheelie and if I punch it and turn, it dies. Running straight it shifts out and everything. Any sugestions?

Thanks,
T
 
Okay, I'm back...sorry I'm late.
Just a few tips here, also. Never run without the air filter on, but remove it so you can see the carb slide. I'll assume that the LSN and the HSN are at their factory settings.
Turn down the trim knob on the radio to zero, then hold the trigger in the brake position and turn in the idle screw till you see the carb opening to 1-2mm. Put the air filter back on. Now that you know the carb is in the approximate position to run, you might have to tweak it, but you don't want to suck in dust while running it.
Since you're familiar with what needles are where, reset the LSN flush with the ring. I've included a diagram below.
Start the car and if it idles, let it warm up. Occasional short little blips on the trigger will help to blow the 'snot' out of it since it's running rich. If it keeps running, just drive it around slowly and continue your break in.

Once you've run a few tanks, you'll need to start leaning it. The LSN is only for the idle and take off. If it's sluggish or stalls when taking off from a stop, that's the needle that needs to be adjusted. After a few more tanks, you can start to give it more throttle. The HSN will need to be adjusted till you get a good WOT with a good trail of smoke.

Hang in there, as the break in process can sometimes be frustrating. Hopefully yours will go well.
If you have ANY problems along the way, please post them, rather than mess up the settings, and we'll have you running soon.

Carb.webp
 
Ok, I'm back from the camp! I have it running pretty good. The motor is running around 260 degrees. I can almost pop a wheelie from dead stop. I've leaned out the LSN, but I'm afraid of leaning it too much. I'm still not sure how people pop wheelies from a dead stop. I noticed when I lean out the LSN, it idles higher. I have the HSN adjusted a little rich........so I have good blue smoke. I can't seem to lean the LSN anymore, because I have to let the idle screw out to idle it down and when I do that, It dies when I break hard.

So...........I guess i'm almost there! :)

Thanks for all the help! Plz keep it comming. :)

Thanks,
T
 
Be very careful leaning out the LSN any farther. It can give you a very rapid rise in temp. If it takes off good, leave it at that. If it starts sounding blubbery at WOT, lean the HSN a little at a time. Keep watching your temps.
Now that it's running, go break something on it.:)
 
I read it at least once a season to refresh my mind on tuning so I don't do something stupid... well, more stupid than usual. It's a PDF, so it's printable and you can take it with you.

All the things Rolex is telling you is right on the money. If you ever get a Traxxas engine... he will become your best friend as well. He can tune those in his sleep.
 
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