Highspeed needle...2.5 turns out. Lowspeed needle...flush with the collar.

you can order a new silicon deal from a redcat dealer, im not sure if nitrorcx has any or not. i havent got my exceed yet.
http://www.clermontmotorsports.com/s...e-*1PCS/Detail

And make sure your gas tank has a good seal and there are no holes in the fuel lines, unplug one of the lines and blow in it with your mouth and close the end of the other line and see if you can hear a leak. the exhaust i dont think would cause air bubbles.