Why do I feel cursed?

[SpeedKing]

Carrying on from that one thread I was reading through yesterday... "screw ups." Why am I having so many damn problems with my car... some of them don't even make sense. I finally got my RC body finished, fixed my huge understeer problem, and went to take out the car on Sunday. When priming the tank the fuel line POPS OFF somehow, fuel spilling all over the place and me without a screwdriver. I drive home, fix it up, drive back (with a screwdriver this time), get it running for about three minutes.. try it give it some gas and it's falling flat on its face (I had it tuned for warmer weather, it was a little colder today), and then it eventually stalls. Start it back up and notice the exhaust isn't coming from the pipe, and then realize that the manifold came off where the two screws meet it at the engine block. How does this even happen?!

So I'm sitting there holding the exhaust manifold on, and because it's leaking I can't shut the damn car off by plugging the exhaust, so I proceed to sit there for almost 10 minutes since for some reason this is the VERY FIRST TIME that my car proceeds to run into the fuel tank is bone dry. That's never happened before. That just solidifies the fact that I am cursed with this car.

That's only recent over the few months I've had this car.. I think I've had 30 minutes of enjoyment out of it so far considering the hours I spent on it. I had so much fun building it up though, that's all I did with my evenings until it was done It's an HPI RS4 3 18SS. I absolutely love nitros, they're the coolest poop having these little 2-stroke motors just barreling the car around, but I don't think I'm cut out for it.

I plan on getting a heli as my next R/C project.. good thing the nitro ones are way too expensive for me right now End rant.

 

[AC48]

Those are the only problems I had with my RS4 3, the terrible fuel line placement and the header screws. Those need a lot of threadlock to keep em on, they get very hot and vibrate a lot since they are touching the engine. I've had bad days too, but once you get in one good day of running you keep on going with the hobby, stick with it.

 

[4u2nv]

Ya might want to reconsider egtting a heli, especially a gas one if your having probs with your rc car. I've been flying planes for over 4 years and been bashing for a little over 2 years, and I thought heli's looked AWESOME as hell so I figured Id pick one up. Well I got it, and the thing intimidated the hell out of me, and after reading the instructions and the how to's, I relized it was wayy out of my league. Theres SO much stuff a person has to control on the helis I can't see how anyone with only 2 hands can do it. Its crazy. Dont lose hope on the nitro scene. Once ya get the hang of it, youll love it even more. It gets easier with time and practise. Ya might want to consider a Savage (If your into the MT scene at all) The S-25 has been the easiest mill to tune, keep tuned and is strong as hell. I love mine, and recommend it to everyone.

 

[ZANDOR]

All you had to do is pinch the fuel line to shut her down :shrug:

It gets better hang in there buddy.After a few good runs you will get the hang of it

Andy ya they are scarey..But very cool.

 

[SpeedKing]

Yeah the header probably came off because it's plastic and I'm sure it'll strip like hell with all the vibration.. I'll get a metal tuned pipe next I think. Surprised it's plastic considering the price of the kit. I don't know what one of those good days is like, but hopefully I'll get to one of those soon I am interested in the monster truck and small truck nitro scene as well, they look like they'd be better all-around bashers actually, since the very first time I took my nitro out in a parking lot I was scraping the poop out of it.. lots of fun but I can't say I drive it easy.

Didn't know about pinching the fuel line I kind of freak out when something goes wrong with my car and my brain just shuts down. It's really weird. But thanks, I'll keep that in mind for when something else goes wrong with my car (emphasis on the when).

Regarding the heli, I know it's damn tough to learn that sort of flying, but I was looking at one kit - the E-Flite Blade CP, for 220 US comes with everything you need, even a radio, and it's a collective pitch heli. Plus if you get the right adapter you can plug the remote control into your PC, and there's a few freeware flight sim programs you can use to practice on. Definately not easy, but it's electric and comes assembled, so even I can't screw it up unless I put the batteries in backwards

Anyway, thanks for the kind words... in the end I'm sure I'll stick with it (I've actually put off working on my Mustang for this car) it's just damn frustrating sometimes.

 

[bustedgears]

Also, if you're really in a pinch, something faster than pinching the fuel line is to take off the breather, and put your thumb over the air venturi. That kills it instantly.

 

[Plaidfish]

that will work Busted but I don't think I'd recommend it......you don't want to have a small open vacuum on your engine sucking in dirt particles....I hate popping the filter off unless I'm at my bench and I know I won't get anything in there....try sticking the tip of your shoe in the flywheel...works instantly.....unless it's a runaway then I cover the exhaust tip w/ my shirt.....

 

[racin_38]

i wouldn't suggest that to anyone ,i know i would never take a airfilter off to shut a mill down ,i am not bustin on you busted but just not a good practice
i use a wooden dowel rod to shut mine down or just use a finger or the toe of my shoe for my onroad ,quick easy ways to shut'em down without either leaning them out or flooding them
as for being cursed ,like most have said hang in there it is like fine wine .it all gets better with time

 

[Plaidfish]

the curse is from the LHS so they can sell you more stuff.....I'm sure there's a large cult of voodoo based RC shops around the world.....and they use balack magic to ensnare you in their RC addiction...then they spend all nite w/ retribution doll versions of your RC making it fall apart whenever you run it......THEN when you come back for parts they all secretly laugh at us for being so friggin crazy that we want a hobby that causes frustration and makes you pissed off....

OR.....you could just be new at this and it's all part of the learning curve......after doing the "oh poop I left that little tool at home" bit a few times I just started taking my whole bench worth of tools w/ me to the track.....I don't do it unless I'm going to race now though.......just remember to check it all when ever you get a chance....and yes I mean ALL...every screw nut and bolt......if you don't like to wrench, get out of the hobby while you still can

 

[MustangMan]

The header on the RS4 is metal, the PIPE is plastic...

If the header came loose from the engine (which it can) add blue thread lock to the screws and replace the gasket (happened to me)...

As for the fuel line, I assume you mean the line at the bottom of the tank. I used a small tie wrap to keep it from popping off the tank, and I also relocated the fuel line OVER the handle to keep them away from the pinion gears. Adding a fuel filter in that general area also lengthens the fuel line and keeps it away from the gears as well.

Hang in there. You'll be an old nitro pro in no time!

 

[SpeedKing]

the curse is from the LHS so they can sell you more stuff.....I'm sure there's a large cult of voodoo based RC shops around the world.....and they use balack magic to ensnare you in their RC addiction...then they spend all nite w/ retribution doll versions of your RC making it fall apart whenever you run it......THEN when you come back for parts they all secretly laugh at us for being so friggin crazy that we want a hobby that causes frustration and makes you pissed off....

Hahaha... see that makes the most sense to me

Good idea on tying the fuel line down. I have it wrapping around the handle, but it creates some weird angles with the line and probably isn't the best placement. I had to keep it away from the gears, though. Regarding the header, I'm pretty sure it's plastic. It shares absolutely no attributes with metal that I know of, unless it just simply has some serious coating on it. Dunno...

Seems like you guys have all been through this though... guess it's just part of the process of getting into the hobby! Also nice to see another mustang guy on the board

 

[AC48]

yes the header is metal, HPI advertises it as Aluminum, and I had one too. The are metal and just need some threadlock to keep it on.

BTW, when I first got my RS4 3 SS (two years ago x-mas) It was my first nitro and it took me until mid january to even start the engine once. 2 years later I'm still in the hobby and still have bad frustrating days. Had a couple fun ones too haha.

 

[Plaidfish]

take the lumps and suck it up man......it does get better if you just keep all the lil tidbits of knowledge you get along th eway tucked away but for easy reference every 2 mins of running your RC.....after about a month I just started carting my whole friggin tool kit around when I went to go play.....I'd bring every possible tool I'd need.....or might have a shred of needing.......make a day out of it that way...bring th egrill to the track (or Park) and bring the whole Famn Damily.......getting a few friends into the hobby helps too......now I've broken enough stuff and pulled enough hair out over a toy to know what the neccesities are when you go run........

 

[rc10gt1980]

well when i decided to start running nitro a friend of mine told me that need patience. or won't enjoy the hobby. boy he was right but i'm still here. and i'm still some what sane. lol