I put the savage togethor and went to crank it using the steps in the engine book.

I then took it down to my LHS and he cranked it. He said it was flooded pretty bad and showed me how to unflood.

Problem is i can't get it cranked on my own

any tips comments would be appreciated

When you say you can't crank it do you mean that you can't get it to turn overe or you can't get it to start?

I had the same problem.

It appears that the fuel flowed from the tank to the carb without priming. This is probably because the fuel level with a full tank is above the level of the carb, and there were no points in the fuel line above the level of the fuel in the tank in my set-up. So, when I followed the directions for the first start (primed it 4 times), the motor compression-locked due to excess fuel.

Don't prime the motor if you can see that the fuel has already reached the carb without priming.

If you can't pull the motor over, loosen the glow plug until you can. It will start this way, then just tighten the plug after it starts.

If you can pull the motor over but it's not firing, then check the battery and plug for good heat.

I did the same thing. In fact, I still don't have my SS running yet, but when I primed the motor by pressing the button 4 times I flooded the crap out of the engine. This is my first RC, so I'm going slow and I hope today I can get it started. Also, I was babying the pull start......I didn't know that sometimes it's a physical fitness test in itself to get these things started during break in.

ZipZap, thanks for the tip about loosening the glow plug...I'm gonna try that today.

These things are definetly a workout during break-in. They have a ton of compression and are hard to pull. That will all change after a couple of thanks though. One other side note you might want to wear a glove on the hand you are using to start the engine because you will get some blisters for sure.

Ok, I got it started for the very first time once I loosened the glow plug a bit!!!!! Now, how do I keep it running for over 15 seconds?? lol.......it starts, and even when I give it a good bit of throttle it usually dies in a very short amount of time. Is this normal??

What stage of break-in are you? Are you still runnig the idel tanks?

Yes, I haven't been able to keep it running at all. I usually have to start the savage with almost half throttle. Once I get it running, it runs for around 15 seconds then dies. I tried adjusting the throttle down closer to idle, but it instantly dies when I do that.

Also, after I start it, when I take the glow plug igniter off the glow plug the engine has a noticeable drop in....ummm....liveliness (can't think of a better word lol). It still runs after that for around 10 seconds or so.

Is your pressure line on? (the one from the exhaust to the tank). Also check for any air bubbles in the fuel line.

The pressure line is on, but there are a couple of TINY bubbles in the fuel line. Could this be the problem, or do new engines always die like this?

I think me 21BB only died like once or twice during the idle tanks, But you have the new 25 and not alot of people have experience with them yet but I would say that it is probably not normal. Try removing the fuel line from the carb and priming it until all of the air bubbles are gone and try it again.

Here's a new one on me......I start my Savage SS and it runs for about 10-15 sec. still and doesn't stay running. I tried leaning the engine out 1\8 turn to no avail. When it's running, I feel something hit my bare foot, and I lean down to pick it up and it's this (a plastic-like shaving):

It looks like it's coming from this wheel (big wheel on underside of Savage):

Is this the brake disc, and shavings are coming off of it?? If so, I don't know why because my brake isn't engaged. Also, when the truck is off the wheels spin freely. I'm confused...

the engine has to warm up first, so 1/2 throttle (or wherever you say is the sweet spot) get it going let it run around for a bit before you back off the throttle, it sounds like you are running too lean...Ihave no idea what that plastic part is though. maybe something was stuck in you truck?

I didn't get any blisters durring break in on my .21, well I almost got one.

There's a couple more of the shavings lying around where I've started it up.

Remove your rims and see if they are stripped...I knwo the SS is supposed to have new hexes but the rims are still too soft for a Big Block Engine...Thats my best guess....

But the wheels haven't even hit the ground yet. The whole time the engine is running, I've been holding the Savage up in the air so the wheels have met no resistance. I"ll check when I get home in about 2.5 hrs just to be sure, though.

yes that would be VERY strange then, can you better describe "wheels spin freely"

Keep the glow plug ignitor on!

"Wheels spin freely" as in that they are perfectly installed with the nuts tightened, but I'm holding the truck off the ground so that when the throttle is applied, the wheels spin without resistance.

Razoo, actually the engine runs as long as I keep the igniter on. The engine only dies a short time after I remove the igniter. I just want the engine to run on it's own, without holding an igniter in it for an elongated period of time after it's been started.

Keep it on for 1 tank, you are trying to break it in right? You need to keep it running until you will be able to tune it. You won't hurt anything.

I didn't think that even a fully charged glow plug igniter could continuously run for 15 minutes....thanks for the tip, I'll try it the next time I fire it up. Before that, though, I'd like to find out what the shavings are......I don't wanna be running it if something's set up wrong. I'll probably take it to the LHS Saturday and take the shavings with me and see if they can tell me anything.

More pics of the shavings, and for size reference a 20 oz. coke bottle top:

Here's a full res full quality pic of one of the shavings. As you can see, it's fibrous....for the life of me I can't figure out what it is.

I've decided to start my own thread for the shavings issue. From now on use that thread please.

Do you have the needle settings on the engine right? It sounds like its too lean and starving for fuel when you give it throttle.On the glow plug...if you flooded it a couple times and have left the ignitor on for a long time, its probably a good idea to get a new glow plug.
If you're holding it up in the air,and holding a radio,then its pretty hard to tune the engine....I would prop it up on somethin close to the ground so you can make adjustments on it.Is there maybe a little bit of fuel and smoke coming out of the pipe while its runnin?It should be rich enough to be spittin a little bit of fuel for the first few tanks and you really shouldn't go over 1/3 throttle on those tanks either.....I'd actually drive it too but resist gettin on it;Its not too good for the drivetrain to spin the wheels with no resistance.
On your plastic shavings...Is this the SS? Did you build the truck? If so,where on the truck have you seen that material?Look over the truck real slow and carefully...turn the wheels real slow and watch everything and see if you can find anything.