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Help me troubleshoot - 6/11/2012 1:54 AM   
JohnP2



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From: Fort worth, TX, USA
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While I've not spend much time troubleshooting it yet, I'm going to lean on you boys to keep me straight so I don't go down a rabbit hole....

History:
1. I recently cleaned my Losi 810 engine (Losi 3.4). 
2. As I've learned the past five months when putting engines back together: one little crooked shim, throttle servo adjustments, etc. can drastically affect things.
3. After cleaning it, I started (was a little harder to start than normal - but not much), and it ran fine.

Issue:
1. Tonight (second time running) it was very difficult to start. It turned over and would start for a split second, but that was about it.
2. I went through the normal check points (glow plug, de-flooded, heat gun, etc).
3. I noticed as I was pulling the pull-start I was getting some fuel on my knuckles. Initially thought the glow plug was loose and ensured it was tight.
4. I ended up turning the receiver/transmitter OFF and it started immediately (with high rpms). That showed me my throttle trim is not open enough.
5. However (and maybe this is just in my mind) it still seems to be leaking fuel somewhere. Seems I got dramatically less run time and there was a good amount of fuel near the pinion gear.

I gave the fuel lines a visual inspection but could not see anything. My only other thought is the rear exhaust is not properly sealed.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
 



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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 6/11/2012 3:50 AM   
nitroexpress



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Status: offline 		No thoughts on trouble shooting.  But it's really not a good idea to take a good running engine apart.  You are reaping the effects.  Also, don't set your idle with transmitter trim.  Good luck. 

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 6/11/2012 5:02 AM   
JohnP2



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Status: offline 		Thanks. I understand the delicacy of cleaning the engine (this one needed it though as it went through its first gallon)....but yes there are always a little kinks to work through after doing so.

Regarding trim, I thought it was just that? I did not modify the idle screw during the cleaning, but it seems a hair off. Not being a smart-a$$, but what is the point of idle trim if you are not to tweak you idle setting with it?

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 6/11/2012 12:42 PM   
Argess



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Status: offline 		Here's how I use the throttle trim. Normally the trim is set low enough the engine idle stop screw is miting the idle. However, for starting I bump the throttle trim up a little bit. Makes starting a cold engine much, much easier. I don't find I have to do that with a hot engine.

Just increase the trim until you see the carb bellows "just" start to move. That's enough. And be prepared to throttle down quickly using the radio if you accidently get the trim a little to high.

As far as not running right after you took it apart, did you hold the carb firmly down into the engine block when you tightened the pinch screw? A little air leak there really affects the idle (making starting difficult too!), but is usually insignificant at higher engine speeds.

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/8/2012 12:43 AM   
JohnP2



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Status: offline 		I wanted to follow up on what the problem was...as I don't want to be one of those guys who only looks for help but never responds once they have it fixed.

It turns out it was my HSN that was loose. This is ironic as I never took the HSN off the carb while cleaning the engine. I would have never thought it would come loose by itself.... but I've learned with a Nitro - anything can come loose.

Note to Self: Add HSN tightness to my pre-run checklist. ;-)

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/8/2012 1:32 PM   
1QwkSport2.5r



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Status: offline 		I am going to agree in not taking an otherwise fine running engine apart to clean it. I don't even pull an engine out of the car to clean it with the rare exception of pulling the head off to clean the fins easier. I mix up some poor mans nitro cleaner (50/50 mix of kleanstrip denatured alcohol and simple green), spray car well, let sit 5 minutes and rinse with water. Follow with a generous blast of compressed air and call it good. Only if it's royally caked with dirt do I take anything apart. I usually oil the wheel bearings when I do a good cleaning as most wheel bearings will rust since they're rarely stainless steel.

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/13/2012 2:25 AM   
JohnP2



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quote:

ORIGINAL: 1QwkSport2.5r

I am going to agree in not taking an otherwise fine running engine apart to clean it. I don't even pull an engine out of the car to clean it with the rare exception of pulling the head off to clean the fins easier.


I agree to a point. I say this coming from a guy, relatively new to the hobby, who is infatuated about keeping his cars running like new-so admit I'm probably an extreme case.

This includes engine, and a wise man once told me to take apart your engine and clean it every gallon of fuel. Of course, I do it probably every 20 tanks.....but as mentioned I'm a little fanatical.

I have probably taken apart my engines/cleaned/rebuilt 20-30 times. While I admit 99% of the time I do this there are some kinks to work out after putting it back together, that is the small price to pay to have a clean engine free of debrisand I always get it running back to like-new condition. This seems to be a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. Plus I LEARN a whole lot.

What other downside do you (and others) see about cleaning your engines every gallon? This is regardless of how it is running (on the surface).

I'm certainly not trying to start a debate, and instead don't fully understand the argument of not cleaning it other than: "It doesn't need it" or " A newbie can screw things up". Assuming one is willing to take the risk and learn as he goes....once he's comfortable doing this, what other downsides are there?

I'll duck for cover now as I imagine I'll be hit hard with a myriad of responses from those who are much more "in the know" than I am, but fail to see how you can hurt your engine by maintaining it as such. Again simply trying to learn here.

Thanks!


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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/13/2012 2:47 AM   
savagecommander


 

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Status: offline 		I cleaned my nitros after 5 or 6 hours of runtime. Gasers is a bit longer. Don't sweat somebody else commenting on your method- as long as you enjoy the hobby, that's what's important.

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/13/2012 3:08 AM   
1QwkSport2.5r



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Status: offline 		My main point in not disassembling a running engine is simply because the piston will never go back in the exact "spot" it was broke in to. Scratches form in the liner (though minuscule) when running in and pulling it apart needlessly changes the pistons position in the liner slightly when reassembled. I might be crazy but the inside of the engine shouldn't need to be cleaned. When I clean my rigs, I will sometimes pull the engine off the car and clean it by hand. Pulling the head or carb off is fine if it is really necessary but the piston and liner do not come apart unless it's getting replaced or the bearings need replacement. It's one of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" things.

Denatured alcohol and simple green mixed 50/50 works fantastic and for stubborn stuff (like in the head fins) I use extra fluffy pipe cleaners and toothbrushes to get the nooks and crannies. After a quick rinse in denatured alcohol or water, I blast it with compressed air until dry. I will oil the engine heavily if I won't run it right away and that's it.

Whatever regimen you choose to do with your rigs is your deal, but if the engine runs differently when reassembled then that should tell you something, IMHO.



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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/13/2012 5:24 AM   
purenitro33


 

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Status: offline 		I couldn't agree more.

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/13/2012 1:12 PM   
supertib


 

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Status: offline 		if you run in dirty conditions then it is a dam good idea to pull the engine apart and clean it..... If you run in very dusty conditions the engine will tend to load the front bearing up with dirt....best bet it to tear down and clean it.........treating these engines like a black mystery box is not a good idea ........

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/16/2012 4:16 PM   
1QwkSport2.5r



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From: Cottage Grove, MN, USA
Status: offline 		If there is oil spray/splatter in the area around the flywheel, then there is no need to pull it apart to clean it, IMVHO. Pull the engine out of the car, run a brush or pipe cleaner through the head fins, spray the engine down with methanol or denatured alcohol and blow off with compressed air. Clean the air filter, oil it, stick it back in the car. 30 minutes or less versus 1 hour or more. Personally I would rather spend more time running than tinkering, but hey... That's just me.

Like I said before; what you do with your rigs is your deal. From a logic standpoint, it's hardly necessary. I'm not a racer so I don't know what I'm talking about though.

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RE: Help me troubleshoot - 7/16/2012 6:39 PM   
purenitro33


 

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Status: offline 		Other then the novas, how many engines are suffering this issue of sucking dirt? I have run in dust at the gravel pits a lot and never had any issues with any non nova engine.

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