Engine trouble
 

Hi everyone! The other day a local kid came to me after seeing me flying and asked if I'd look at his car for him which wouldn't start. I brought it home and gave it a quick look. I cleaned up the fuel lines and did all the normal stuff and without too much fussing it started. However I noticed that it seamed to be running the wrong way. It has no gear box, just some reduction gears. If it was left on the ground it would happily roll backwards. I asked the kid if anyone took it apart or anything but he says no it used to run fine the right way. Would anyone be able to tell me which way car engines normally turn? Sounds odd but I can't see why else it would go backwards. The engine is a leo 12 or 15 I think and has a pullstart, and the car is one of those generic RTR ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

RE: Engine trouble
 

Viewed from the pullstart (looking through the engine) the crankshaft should turn clockwise.

RE: Engine trouble
 

I have a feeling someone had the pullstart apart, and assembled it backwards.

RE: Engine trouble
 

either that or the one time you started it it backfired (in a way...detonated the fuel before the top of the stroke) and ran backwards. try starting it again and see.

RE: Engine trouble
 

Thanks guys. The engine is spinning the correct way, and by opening up the pullstart I don't think its possible to wind it to spin the other way. Its very strange as theres only two cogs, one off the clutch and the other connected to the drive shaft. It'll run happily all day, but just in reverse. Has anyone ever seen a similar problem?

RE: Engine trouble
 

i`ve heard seen an engine start backwards but actually runnig backwards, i`ve never seen or heard off anything like that!

RE: Engine trouble
 

if i understand correctly
the engine is running correctly
but the car is going backwards
right?

if so, there are only a couple of things
i can think of to cause that

one - the engine was removed
and replaced backwards
so that in spins the gears backwards
pretty unlikely i know

two - on some trucks
like the t-maxx
if the diffs are removed
and reinstalled upside down
the truck will run backwards

three - the reduction gears
were removed
and replaced the wrong way

a picture or two of the
vehicle may help us
help you

RE: Engine trouble
 

is it an unknow car or a very old one? peraps it was designed for a engine which ran backwards? hmm maybe scrap that thought lol