This is so sad!

[mnm]

I can't believe my eyes, I'm racing my rs4 18ss around some coned track I and a couple Friends set up with another rs4 18ss and a tc3, well I should get to the point, right after I complete a turn and punch it in the straight way, I hear a big CRACK, and the engine started going crazy and shuts down right away. I retrieved it, and brought it in to check on it. I pulled on the pull start a little to check if everything was ok, but the fly wheel did not move, at first I though it got loose, but then after inspecting the engine more this is what turned up..

Everything else is ok, no scratches in the piston or sleeve or anywhere else (thank god)



Can some one please tell me how the hell did this happen? I have been using this engine since it first came out, almost a year, and it was in Great shape, until today :shrug: I did not have a single problem with it. It was almost the best reliable engine I have owned other than the OS engines of course, but this one was a beauty to me!

 

[AC48]

Wow, I have no idea how the hell that happened, but I would send the engine into HPI, they should replace that as long as you weren't running lean or anything. How much fuel did you have on the engine? I have never seen a crankshaft just snap in half before.

 

[mnm]

lets see, about 4-5 gallons more or less..

 

[evan811]

that doesent look to good! Maybe too much stress from something, maybe something got caught in the flywheel and caused i to break, a little stone or something you picked up on the track...

 

[4u2nv]

Yeah Id send it back into HPI. Even if it does have alot of fuel ran thru it, that shouldnt happen.

 

[mnm]

ill be emailing them and sending it soon and see what they have to say about it, does anyone know what the turn around time is? i dont think its from somthing getting stuck on the flywheel/chassis, if so i would have noticed it, and saw some kind of scratch on the flywheel and so on...

 

[Plaidfish]

did you inspect the case or crank for any marks???you'll know if something got inthere and lodged in the case to snap it.......also did you check the conrod? maybe it snapped too.......

 

[mnm]

nope the cone rod is still in perfect condition, case is good too, nothing seems to be wrong with it, crank looks good as new other than it being broken in half

 

[HeartBreak]

If you look closely at the flywheel, something did get stuck in between the crank case and the flywheel.

Definately makes me re-think stopping an engine by way of the flywheel.

 

[vbgagnon]

There is a difference between WOT and ilde, unless you stop your mill @ WOT you won't have that problem.

 

[mnm]

thats not something getting stuck, thats just the prints of the clamp, clamping on the flywheel when i removed it from another engine to install on the 18ss. its not from somthing getting stuck at all..

WOT? whats that...
also when ever the engine is shut i alway place the piston at the bottom of the sleeve while cooling.

 

[vbgagnon]

WOT=Wide open throttle.

 

[mnm]

Well thanks for the explanation, but I never really stop any of me engines at wide open throttle including that 18ss up there :shrug:

 

[vbgagnon]

My comment was meant for HeartBrake, not you nmn.

 

[HeartBreak]

Either way, it's definately defective. I'd return it to HPI and see if they give you another crankshaft. Worse case scenario; you might have to buy a new one. But, it's definately cheaper than a whole new engine.

 

[mnm]

no response yet from hpi,
here are some more pictures:

The crankshaft doesn’t seem to have any scratches. It broke off right at the edge.

Piston and sleeve seem to be in good shape.

 

[Da Hellion]

Iv'e delt with HPI on a 46 that lasted a good 10 or 15 min. berfore it gernaded . It was clearley defective and after waiting to hear back from them (aprox. a little over a week) Then sending it back and a few days later they called me and offerd me cost on the parts to fix it . I told them to send it back the way it was cause I was in need of a paper weight. But I must admit it makes a really good paper weight

 

[mnm]

Iv'e delt with HPI on a 46 that lasted a good 10 or 15 min. berfore it gernaded . It was clearley defective and after waiting to hear back from them (aprox. a little over a week) Then sending it back and a few days later they called me and offerd me cost on the parts to fix it . I told them to send it back the way it was cause I was in need of a paper weight. But I must admit it makes a really good paper weight

Great,now my hope is up for them replacing my crankshaft. i just hope they do..

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Did you check your one-way bearing? Judging by where the shear is, I'm wondering if your one-way crapped out on ya and caused it to freeze up in the pull start housing? I admit, it's a long shot and highly unlikely, but who knows, right?

Let us know what HPI says or does on this one!

 

[mnm]

the one way seems to be working fine.