New to hobby and having some problems...
 

Hi- I just bought a Team Losi xxx-nt truck and for the life of me can't get it to start for more than about 10 seconds and then it dies. I'm sure its something I'm doing wrong, so heres what I've done and tried and if someone could help me out I'd appreciate it. I had it running and sitting idle just fine last week so I assumed that when I filled it up with gas yesterday that it would start right up. After messing with it for about 1.5 hours without much luck I quit and thought I better get some help.

1) on radio, then truck
2)Gas it up
3) High speed valve at 3.5 turns counterclockwise from closed as recommended
4) Low speed valve 3 turns counterclockwise " " "
5) insert fresh glow plug and insure igniter has fresh battery
6) put glow plug igniter in position
7) insert battery spin start
8) give it about 1/4 gas on remote (harder to start b/c its brand new/recommended you do this)
9) attempt to start
10) after not starting loosen glow plug 2 turns. spin start for 2 seconds. tighten glow plug and attempt to restart.

This is what I did and still not much luck. Am I having such a hard time because its only been run for maybe a half hour and still needs to be broken in or is there some adjustment or something I'm missing. Please help... Thanks!! Mike[:o]

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

so you haven't gotten it to start at all? or for 10 seconds?

maybe your idle is set too low? i'm not sure, wait for someone with higher tech skills to come in.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

About a week ago I had it started and running fine. I have attempted to adjust the idle several times and am still having problems keeping it running.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

Well, first of all, if it is as cold in Watertown as it is in Green Bay, that is half your problem right there. I always start mine in the basement and let it warm up a little before I take them out in the cold. Or else you could use a heat gun or blow dryer to warm up the engine first. I would put all your settings back to where they were, warm it up, then try running it outside. I really wouldn't recommend breaking it in till it warms up, its only 5 deg. here and thats a little chilly to break it in IMO. If it was running fine before, this would be my guess as to whats wrong.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

It is really cold here too. I figured that running the truck in the cold temp. wasn't the best idea. So like ya said I wanted to warm it up first. All of my attempts yesterday (1.5 hrs.) were inside my heated garage. Still wasn't having much luck......

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

I'm in the same area as you guys, and I've been starting it up in the basement for a little bit to get some heat going and then I'll run it outside. Did you check your plug to make sure it's good? Can you tell if you are getting fuel up the line after it starts for the first couple of seconds?

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

At first I was having a problem getting fuel up the line...but I would put my finger over the exhaust pipe for a second or two while attempting to start and this fixed the problem. I tried a brand new glow plug and still was having problems.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

I would try leaning the HSN about a 1/8 a turn and try starting it. If no go after a few minutes lean it agian 1/8 a turn. Repeat till it starts. I know after I rebuilt my .18 DTX the book says have it at 2-1/2 turns out ..that was way to rich and it would not fire...I leaned it out and it started. Also make sure your idle screw is set to where there is a 1/32 to 1/16 gap opening when looking in the carb with the air filter off. Good luck. Keep us posted.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

Yeah, I was just gonna suggest checking the idle screw and leaning it a little. Just keep in mind that these are SUGGESTED settings from the factory. Not all engines will run properly with the factory settings. But, also keep an eye on your temps when you do get it running by leaning it a little. If its not broke in yet, you want to keep plenty of fuel flowing. Remember that new engines can be a pain at first, just give it some time.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

That very cold weather will suck the heat right out of that glowplug and that could be the problem.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

hi keeno just keep the glow niter on as you try to tune may help

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

Hey, If it is under 20degree and it only runs for a few seconds, I am guessing it takes a while just to start it. Your poor little truck needs some fuel, It's ****ing cold, I would turn your HSN out at least one full turn from where it is recomended, maybe even more. and I would richen the low speed as well, but maybe not so much, like 1/2 turn. Also I would do some pressure testing, you could have a leak, A pin hole could cause this. Good Luck

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

maybe the glow igniter isn't working? get pliers and clamp the glow plug down, and stick the igniter on the end and see if it lights up.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

Honestly kneeno, I think its just way to cold out. Wait till it warms up a bit and try it again. Your over thinking it and its just gonna pi$$ ya of if you keep beating your brain over it buddy.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

Honestly it sounds like you are running way too rich. Lean it out a bit until you can get it to start. Mine runs just about 2 turns out. Before you even go outside heat the whole engine up for a while with a blow dryer/heat gun. Make sure you have a good plug, if not the O.S. A3 is a good hot plug. My engine always starts when I do this. As long as it is getting enough heat, fuel, and oxygen it should fire. When it is running you should put aluminum foil over the head to keep the temperature high enough at about 230 degrees F. I'm at college now but otherwise I would try to start it for you.

RE: New to hobby and having some problems...
 

You have the spinstart right does it sound like its catching? It could be slipping on the One way bearing I had the same problem when mine was cold. Take the back plate off and spray some degreaser(break pad cleaner) on it and try again. Also try all the steps mentioned in the posts above. Another thing dont let the engine idle too long if your breaking it in run it during break in using the heat cyling method or the method in the manual that came with it that method worked good for me.

Ps it has lowspeed high speed and idle screws. the lowspeed is on where the throttle linkage goes.