I have a car that won't start. It ran last year, but now I can't make it go. I've replaced the glo plug, got a new starter, new batteries, and fresh gas. Does anyone have any tips? What happens when they sit for a little while?

That sure is annoying isn't it?

What can happen is any left over residue from the fuel that may have not gotten burned can gum things up inside. There are a few things you can try....it will just take some patience on your part.

Some guys try taking the glow plug out.....remove the muffler....be sure the piston is not at tdc "top dead center"....then spray wd-40 inside the engine. Let it saturate as you work the piston up and down. You can try this process repeatedly intil you no longer see any discolored fluid coming from inside the engine. You can also spray the wd-40 into the carb to help fill up the crank case. Same procedure as mentioned before. The idea is to try and disolve any gunk left over from any fuel that turned to varnish.

Other guys have used kerosene instead of wd-40 in the same process.

If that does not work. Then it may be time to tear down the engine and do a inspection and cleaning. Once you've verified that there is no internal damage to parts and the engine is well cleaned.....then reassemble it and try starting it again. Be sure that your carb needle settings are set correctly for the current temps since the weather conditions may be different than when you last ran the engine. Let us know if you get it running?


Good Luck!

I am going to do that tonight, will let you know. Thanks for the help.

I almost forgot.


When you put your RC car/ truck / airplane away for an extended period of time...it wise to use after run oil in the engine to prevent such a problem. Go to your automotive parts store....or Wal Mart and buy Marvel Mystery oil. When your ready to put your RC toy away...remove the glow plug and squirt several drops of the oil into the cylinder. Move the piston up and down so it's well coated. Replace the glow plug. Then squirt several drops into the carb and again.....move the pistion to help coat the crank, etc.

Some guys will add the oil and with the glow plug removed....will try cranking the engine several times. Be sure to place a rag over the top of the cylinder if you do this as the oil will spit out at you. The idea is to get everyhing well coated to keep varnish from building or for moisture to damage anything internally as the left over fuel acts like a magnet for drawing moisture into the engine which could damage it internally.

Good Luck!