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T-Maxx troubles

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ProfsrKos2012

ProfsrKos2012

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  1. Bashing
I have a T-Maxx 3.3 that I picked up from a guy about two weeks ago. After having to replace a few parts I got it running. I found out that it was running way too lean so I dropped it back on the lsn and my problems began.
Originally it had an ezstart:angry:, which i removed and added a pull start. Ezstart was too much of a pain. I reset the hsn, lsn, and idle back to factory and now can't get the thing to fire up at all. I'm not leaking fuel, and am getting compression, but for the life of me cannot get it started. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.

ProfsrKos2012


ok, so i was out trying to start this thing and actually did get it to start for a few seconds before it stalled out. I yanked on the pull start so many times that my arms hurt. Will try again in a bit.
 
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yeah i hate when i switched my fuels today

i was using 15% nitro then switched to 20% nitro (the offical traxxas top fuel)

and it runs like crap



Maybe the glow plug is bad or you just have to get it tuned

 
Last edited by a moderator:
thats what I figured....:\

Tomorrow I'll be going to get a new glow plug and see if that helps.

I also just found the stickys that Rolex posted so I'll try that next.
 
ProfsrKos2012 said:
thats what I figured....:\

Tomorrow I'll be going to get a new glow plug and see if that helps.

I also just found the stickys that Rolex posted so I'll try that next.
Click to expand...

wait when you got it started for a couple of seconds did you leave the glow plug heater thing(Thing that go's in the cooling head) in the truck or take it out???
 
It can just get frustrating at times, but it beats paying someone to do something that will help me in the long run.
 
Should of left your ez start on until you got it to run right. Grab a couple glow plugs. Make sure your not using traxxas fuel. It's junk. Byrons, Trinity,... A few others are recommended by other experienced folks on here. Make sure the ignitor battery is charged good. From there, tune it. Watch your temps.
 
If it was lean on the LSN and you richened it, you more than likely should adjust your idle as well.

When your trying to start it, are you holding the throttle open a bit by hand and pulling the cord at the same time? If not, try that. I've seen a lot of new guys pull and pull and pull when their throttle is set at idle. If you give it 1/4-1/2 throttle while pulling, it really helps it start much easier. Just make sure to let off once it fires up. All my rigs usually fire up by the 3rd-4th pull once they are primed.
 
Thanks for all the help. I'm going to get new glow plugs first, then give it all a try.

Is it recommended that I put the ezstart back on?
 
Wait, since when is Traxxas fuel junk? Obviously Traxxas recommends it for their own vehicles, but I was under the impression that it was some of the best fuel out there. This is news to me...
 
It's an ok fuel for a newbie, but their 20% has a lot of oil in it. Other than that, I don't know what's wrong with it. I just know the few times I've been around it when guys were running it, it made an aweful mess out of their rigs compared to byrons or trinity that I normally run. Odonnels would be the next high oil content fuel I'd guess. I'm running that now as my LHS was out of byrons. Made a heck of a mess out of my rigs... 3/4 gallon to go.
 
My problems with tuning continue...:angry::angry::angry: I have replaced the glow plug. My current situation is this, I can pull on the pull start and have the engine turning, it just won't fire up. I'm trying 1/8 turns On both the HSN and LSN to get it to fire up. I feel like I'm close.
 
Lean it until it starts, then richen it back up. Once an engine is broken in, you never need to go back to factory settings.
Don't be afraid to lean it out, unless it is screaming when it fires up, your not going to hurt a thing.
+1 on the Traxxas fuel, it is liquified poop in a bottle.

Skwerly said:
I'll take a mess if it means a well-lubed engine :).
Click to expand...

Excess oil causes the engine to run hot and makes starting and tuning harder.
 
nad said:
Wait, since when is Traxxas fuel junk? Obviously Traxxas recommends it for their own vehicles, but I was under the impression that it was some of the best fuel out there. This is news to me...
Click to expand...

Traxxas also recommends their power cells for their vehicles. 3000mah nimh's? Ok...
 
diff carb

i put a O.S. 11k carb. bolt in no mods needed. my t-maxx 3.3 be came easer to start. it adjusts better, stays running on the smaller adjustments. it sat there idleing for 15 min smooth as can be. 3 fuel adjustments idle, mid-range, high speed. also rewire the ez-start to run off the battery in your street truck. thats the first thing i did. i can crank for minutes and minutes, i keep checking the heat of the starter motor, have never had it over heat
 
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I did the same with my old 2.5 maxx many years ago in an effort to get it to run better... spent $70 on a carb for a $90 engine... In hind sight, not such a great idea. Still didn't run very well.
 
well olds iam realy not a good tuner, but the O.S. carb worked for me. your engine is smaller that mine. maybe its over carburated , ie, carb to big? i have seen guys do that street /race engines. maybe if you readjusted the throttle so it only opens half way. i did that to brake in my t-maxx.
 

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