I just found out that the guy at my LHS wants to charge me 20 bucks...just to show me how to start an engine correctly! I know some people have answered my other post, but this time i need more details. My question is: How do u start a nitro engine from start to finish>? any vids found online or pics would be nice. THANKS!

This is a topic that comes up alot - try a search for engine starting, how to, ect... should be able to come up with alot.

Now what I am about to say might get me some flak, but I would have gladly paid someone 20.00 when I was new to really sit with me and go over all teh details and trouble shooting techniques on how to properly tune, start, and set up an engine.

I would suggest looking all around this site and getting some great info then going back there and giving him the money to show you one on one.

Have you had a look at the HPI site? Im sure they have the starter video on there which shows you hot to get started, if not peeps sell the dvd on ebay for peanuts... it is a good dvd, V help ful

If he's just saying "give me $20 and I'll show you how", that sounds a bit sketchy.

If he's willing to spend some time and educate you on how hobby engines work, that might be worthwhile. THIS PAGE is a great way to learn about tuning, but sometimes you need some hands-on experience. If the engine is brand new, make sure you break in the engine properly. Specifics of how to do this will vary between posters here, but it's generally agreed that you should run about 3 tanks through the engine without even touching the throttle, followed by another 3 tanks of low-speed parking lot cruising at about 1/4 throttle. Only after that should you begin opening it up. You only get one chance to break in an engine.

If someone said i could pay them 20 bucks to teach me how to properly start, tune, and run my nitro, i would have done it in a second. Heck, i might even still do it. 20 bucks for expert advice on how to tune an engine can save you a lot in the long-run. You can read everything in the world online, but its never equal to the experience you get when you're actually doing it or being shown how to do it.