TRX 15 eats glow plugs every 1/4 tank.

[JasoNeon]

It's really starting to piss me off. I've been playing with gas cars for over 10 years now, and this is the first time I've ever had this happen to me. Here's all the info: New Blue Thunder 20% gas, motor is in a T-Maxx, primer on gas tank is filled in with a screw, other than that motor, carb, pipe is all stock. I haven't ran it for about 6 months because last time I ran it I fowled the plug and didn't have anymore then just lost the desire to drive it. Got a couple of plugs, a McCoy 9 and a stock traxxas and put the mccoy in. Got it running (not good, but running) and drove it little to let it warm up so I could tune it. Got it warmed up and it was really rich up top so I leaned it out a little and the top end was really running good. Idle was high so I adjusted the set screw to lower the idle and it died. Wouldn't start back up so I pulled the plug and it was dead. The coil inside the plug was mashed all the way into the plug. Thought maybe it didn't like the mccoy plug so I put the traxxas one in. Started up, idled good and I drove it around for about 3-4 minutes and it just died after I let off the gas to coast. It wouldn't start so I pulled the plug and it was the same way. So I did what anyone else would do and kicked it and threw it in the workshop where it will sit for another 6 months unless someone knows why the hell it keeps killing plugs. Thanks,

Jason

 

[x_789]

'Ok please clarify you said that you the plug was smashed? Was the Standard Traxxas plug smashed also ? X

 

[Mayhem]

No he didn't say that, He said The coil inside the plug was mashed all the way into the plug.

 

[JasoNeon]

Yes, the coil is mashed all the way down inside the plug. 2 Traxxas plugs, and one McCoy MC9 plug have done this now, all with less than a tank of gas ran through it. I think I'm gonna try my old 1/2 RC gas 1/2 rubbing alcohol mixture and try and blow the thing up.

Jason

 

[Mayhem]

Are you gonna get the TRX 2.5?

 

[x_789]

Dude Pull head and see if your plugs are contacting the head. You have some definat issues if you are getting smashed coils. Pull head lookt at top of piston also this is a silly questiong but you are putting on the washer under the plug? X

 

[JasoNeon]

I'm going to take the motor completely apart tonight and clean it. I've NEVER had anything like this happen over and over and over again like this is. I don't think it's possible for it to be touching the piston because it wouldn't run at all if that were the case. And I use a new washer with every glow plug (maybe I should try 2). The motor ran fine about a year ago and then all of a sudden it started killing plugs. And what is a TRX 2.5???

Jason

 

[NCNitro]

The TRX 2.5 is the new smallblock Traxxas is putting in the T-maxx, rustler, and 4 tec.

 

[x_789]

Well Jason something has to be "SMASHING" these elements that is why I asked. X

 

[JasoNeon]

Well, I found the problem. Took the head off and the under side of it and the piston looked pitted (not smooth like they should be). Took the pullstart off and the rear cover and there were chunks of metal lying in the motor. They were big chunks, not pieces of a glow plug coil. Pulled the con rod and piston out (piston has some nice battle scars as does the lwer end of the con rod) and pulled the crankshaft out. Bingo! Rear bearing is toast. Soon as I pulled the crank out the bearings fell out all over the place. So, now I can either put a bearing, con rod, piston and sleeve in it and drive it, put just a bearing in it and see how long it lasts, or send it in for a new one. I think I'll go with option C, send it in and get a new 2.5. It's a shame though, this motor hasn't even had a full gallon of gas run through it. Guess I'll call Traxxas tomorrow and get things going.

Jason

 

[Mike c.]

Originally posted by JasoNeon
I think I'll go with option C, send it in and get a new 2.5. It's a shame though, this motor hasn't even had a full gallon of gas run through it. Guess I'll call Traxxas tomorrow and get things going.

Jason

one thing is if you get the 2.5 aka .15 engine you will need a conversion kit that traxxas also sells for the pro .15 t-maxxes. and I had the same problem with mine and it was from running REALLY rich.

 

[JasoNeon]

Are you saying running too rich can cause bearing failure? I know running rich can also kill the plugs, but in this case chunks of bearing being thrown at it is what kept killing them.

Jason

 

[x_789]

Dude you are not going to ruin bearings from running rich. You are actually lubing the bearings more when running rich....X

 

[JasoNeon]

Originally posted by x_789
Dude you are not going to ruin bearings from running rich. You are actually lubing the bearings more when running rich....X

That's what I've always thought, just trying to figure out what he was meaning there.

Jason

 

[x_789]

You will learn about mike c the longer you are here.. :ball:

 

[Akina'sMtx-2]

Running too rich will not cause that problem. The engine prob over heated, damaging the bearing. Was the front bearing leaking too? Running too rich will just stress the piston, sleeve, and the rod, which isn't something you want.

 

[JasoNeon]

Oh yeah, the front bearing is leaking like a stuffed pig but it's done that since day one. I just ordered a replacement bearing from tower hobbies to put in there. It was only $5 (made for a duratrax 15 but the bearing size is the same) so if I put it in and the engine blows I'm not out too much. I tried calling traxxas today to see about trading in for the new 2.5 but they're closed due to an ice storm. I'll most likey send this motor off shortly anyways but I want to see how it runs with a new bearing in it. I'll use some of my magic gas in it too and try and blow it up.

Jason

 

[JasoNeon]

Got in touch with Traxxas and the guy said that as of now you can't trade in the Pro 15 for a new 2.5. Only a Pro 15 for a Pro 15 and a new 2.5 for a new 2.5. He said that sometime soon they will be able to "trade up" from the Pro 15 to a new 2.5 but just not yet. On a side note I was on ebay and saw a new 2.5 going for over $180! So if you can actually buy them at tower hobbies for $149.99 like it says on the webpage, I smell a profit. :coffee

Jason

 

[x_789]

The reason for the high price on Ebay is becasue these are coming off of Trucks that people are buying and parting out. The actuall street price of a 2.5 with pullstart is gonna be around 120-135 from what I have seen. The ones on ebay are so expensive because the demand is higher than the supply and people don't want to wait for the 2.5 to hit the street. I was told by a couple people " Oh man they will for sure be out the end off February." Well today is the 28th and I haven't seen any for sale at a online dealer or lhs yet. So looks like another month has gone bye with another broken promise from TRX, again another perfect example about how they don't give a poop about their customers. X

 

[JasoNeon]

Hey it could be worse. You could have been waiting for the SRT-4 to come out from Dodge for the last full year! They've only been talking about it for 4 years! ahhh Oh well, good things come to those who wait. So I'll put this bearing in the motor and hopefully by the time it totally dies traxxas will have a decent deal on a new 2.5.

Jason