problem starting caldera
 

i just got a caldera and having problems starting it, the starter gets really hard i thought maybe the coil or something inside was messed up but, i took it off and when i pull on the starter/string it works fine, goes in/out and when i had put it back on the engine i was able to pull the starter and it was pulling easily and fine but, then i put all the screws on and after a couple more times of pulling in trying to start it, it got really hard then i took it off again and put it back on and again the first few times i put it on it's pulling fine then all of a sudden it gets really hard. i don't think it's over-primed, i took off the glow plug and turned engine upside down nothing comes out and if it was over-primed it wouldn't pull those few times that easily would it? it's literally 3 or 4 pulls not "few" as in i'm trying to pull it 10 or 20 times and it's getting over-primed.

i noticed when i pull the starter off there is this nut that goes into the engine that the starter fits on, i noticed that that nut gets hard as well, if i keep messing with it, i can turn it with a wrench but, then all of a sudden it will get really hard.

i put a couple drops of fuel into the carb and engine hoping that maybe it'sa lubrication issue but, didn't work same thing is happening. it has only ran once and then this problem started happpening, what could it be? is the engine messed up?

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RE: problem starting caldera
 

Sounds like you suspect the pulls start is binding when coupled to the engine.  I would pull the glow plug and continue pulling it over.  If it works fine without the glow plug out,  then you are likely flooded and not realizing it.

RE: problem starting caldera
 

ok well i re-read the instructions and i guess this could be a known issue it specifically states, something about if you're having difficulty starting it when it's brand new to loosen the glow plug a 1/2 turn and, that it will release compression. that's how i tried it and it started a few mintues ago i'm letting the engine cool off, going to start it up again and see if continues to work.<div></div><div>so the only reason it can bind like that is if it's flooded? how come when i had the glow plug out and turned it upside down fuel didn't come out? if it's flooded it means there's fuel in the engine and so if you turn it over fuel should come out? also can it really flood that quickly in 3-4 turns? i mean on the shockwave sometimes ive spent 20 minutes trying to start it and it won't flood, and i just keep doing pull after pull and doesn't flood or get really hard. this happens so quick that i thought there's something wrong with the engine. also how come every time i take off the starter and then put it back the hardning issue gets resolved temporarily? i mean it doesn't get resolved right away i have to turn that nut with a wrench a few times, or try to turn it sometimes it's also hard but, once i get it turning with a wrench then i put the starter back on. i hope it's just since it's a new unit, maybe once the engine warms up and piston is seated correctly this won't happen?</div><div></div>

RE: problem starting caldera
 

This has not happened to me but I've read several times where people have had issues on a brand new engine where the pinch is very tight in the sleave making in very difficult to pull the pull start untli the engine has warmed up.

As far as being flooded, you can be flooded without fuel dumping out of the engine. A lot of times pulling the plug and just pulling the pullstart will produce a very light mist or spray of fuel which will clear the engine.

You say removing the pull starter and then re-installing it resolve the problem for a few pulls. You mentioned turning the nut with a wrench. Are you saying that if you take the pull start off, but do not turn the one way bearing with a wrench to free it up that if you re-installed the pull start the engine would be in a bind? Anything is possible, continue eliminating problems. So lets figure out what we know. 1. If you remove the pull start, inspect it and re-install it, the engne will be in a bind. 2. If you remove the pull start and manually turn the one way bearing, then re-install the pull start, the engine seems to turn over for a few pulls until it begins to bind again.

It is very possible the engine is defective mechanicaly in the lower end or that the connecting rod is on backwards. Maybe something is just rubbing that shouldn't be. Maybe the one way bearing is bad. If scenario number 2 describes your problem, I would remove the pull start then one way bearing. Remove the glow pug. The engine should turn freely in this state by hand. If not, remove the backplate and inspect the lower end.
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RE: problem starting caldera
 

"<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">You mentioned turning the nut with a wrench.  Are you saying that if you take the pull start off, but do not turn the one way </span>bearing<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); "> with a wrench to free it up that if you re-installed the pull start the engine would be in a bind?"</span><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">Yes, that's correct. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">"</span><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; ">I would remove the pull start then one way bearing.  Remove the glow pug.  The engine should turn freely in this state by hand."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; ">
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; ">If I remove that nut, it has a rod connected to it which turns the engine, then how would I turn it or start the engine? I was trying to test that but, I couldn't figure out how to turn it from the inside I was going to put a screwdriver in there but, decided not to.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; ">
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; ">Anyway it hasn't been doing that problem since I posted earlier but, not sure if it's permanantely fixed or not, will see what happens tomorrow, can't start it right now forgot to put glow plug on charge will have to go home and do that. It's been sitting for a while I just pulled it a few minutes ago just to see if it would pull and isn't stuck, I wonder if that was it the piston just needed seating, or maybe glow plug was too tight maybe trying to start it while it was loose worked. I just hope the engine isn't messed up, it's brand new so I should be able to get it replaced with warranty but, just have to pay for shipping and what-not.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; ">
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RE: problem starting caldera
 

quick question, is the caldera supposed to have an air filter?  I don't see it on there and don't recall seeing it when I opened up, just want to make sure I didn't mistakingly misplace it without realizing it unless it was in a plastic or something and i missed it

RE: problem starting caldera
 

yes it should have an air filter.  You can turn the engine by turning the flywheel, then you can watch the connecting rod as it spins on the crankshaft.  Sometimes just taking it apart and putting it back together will re-align something you didn't even know was out of allignment.

RE: problem starting caldera
 

a flooded engine doesnt just mean fuel in they cylinder. thats a "top" flood.

Too much fuel can also build up in the base (bottom of carb inlet) and in the exhaust pipe. Thats a "base" flooded motor.

To clear a base flood, pull the glow plug as before, remove the fuel inlet line on the carb and pull the starter with the model at an angle which will let fuel drain out of the muffler.

A base flooded motor will be very hard to pull over and untill cleared will not let a motor start. I have had a few motors get base flooded and I got frustrated trying to start them....only to come back an hour or so later and have the motor fire right up (fuel evaporates eventually)

If you have a motor that was starting a running...fail to start...always assume its flooded before messing with needle adjustements or anything else. try to clear the flood (again, tip the model so that fuel can drain from the muffler) and try again.

RE: problem starting caldera
 

thanks a lot guys, that's good news that it might not be the engine will find out for sure soon but, i randomly throughout the day was pulling it and didn't seem to be giving issue pulling it, so hope it's resolved!&lt;embed style="left: 0px; top: 0px; width: 0px; height: 0px; position: fixed; display: block; " type="application/rf-np-plugin" id="Siber_embed1"></embed&gt;

RE: problem starting caldera
 

well the caldera has been sitting here since last weekend and i haven't done anything with it at all, i just went to test to see if the starter is pulling or not, and it's not it's really hard. can the engine have been flooded just sitting there like this since last weekend? there is fuel in the tank. or is it still since the engine is new and hasn't been broken in yet?

RE: problem starting caldera
 

it could be possible like I said earlier that your new engine has a very tight pinch to it. Sometimes heating it up with a hair dryer will let it pull easier. I doubt your flooded from last weekend. I still think it sounds like something isn't right in the engine. And you asked earlier can it really flood in 3-4 turns? Yes, if it's set very rich like it is for break in, you can pull a lot of fuel in it when priming and not realize your flooding it. My Tornado primes in 2 pulls. More than that and it's flooded.

RE: problem starting caldera
 

well I spoke to Redcat support earlier and they told me the same thing you just said to try a hair dryer and when I did that it worked it was easy to pull. The only thing is that I could never get it to start, I spent about 2 hours, got new cuts on my hand. The closest I got it to start was for about 2 seconds and then it shut off i think I got it to that point just a couple times. I took the hose off and blew air into it and made sure there was fuel going through but, still nothing worked. <div>
</div><div>In the instructions it says for break-in the default setting for the HSN is 4 1/2 out, so I turned it all the way in, and then went 4 1/2 out. The LSN I read in another thread to do 3 out. Since I think I messed up my settings last week when I was having difficult I was messing with the needles and I think I probably have messed up the settings that's the reason it's not starting. also I know you're not supposed to adjust the settings when the engine is cold but, that's what I've been doing, have done something worst to it by doing this? </div><div>
</div><div>Before I left I put a couple drops of fuel in the engine and carb and then it quickly started for 2 seconds then shut off, then the starter got really hard and I tried to heat it up but, it wouldn't work so I'm pretty sure I flooded it by putting the drops of fuel in as I accidently put in more than a few drops.</div><div>
</div><div>Any suggestions on how to get this to start? Or any recommendations on what to change the needles to? I know on the previous shockwave I couldn't get it to start if the HSN was too lean, more than 2.5 and it would never start I could spend 30 min or more and not start but, as soon as I richen HSN it would start. On this caldera it's already really rich so I don't know what else to do, maybe it's the LSN that's messed up? Normally they say if LSN is too lean it will shut off right after it starts right? So I mean it's 3 out, as somebody suggested but, I tried to turn it out a couple turns but, it's still not starting. I think this is too much out but, I don't know what else to do. I'm not exaggerating I was there for 2 hours trying this.</div><div>
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RE: problem starting caldera
 

Well it's good that the hair dryer trick worked, guess that confirms the tight sleeve. As far as the needles go, I'm probably not the best person to ask for specific turns. I always just back them out flush, like I explained in your Shockwave thread. I just back both needles out and turn the LSN in about 1/2-3/4 turn in. At that point the engine should start and run sluggishly. Run it and adjust the HSN so it will perform correctly. At that point you can adjust the LSN as needed. Oh and by the way, my advise is if it won't start or at least sound like it wants to start in 5-10 pulls, you need to stop and analyze what's going on. Typically if it won't start in that amount of time, it's not going to start.

RE: problem starting caldera
 

Is there anything else that it could be? I'm out of ideas. I guess if the needles aren't right then fuel might not be getting to the engine? The HSN is almost flush, it's about 1 turn in from flush. I can try the setting you recommended, I can't tell with the LSN where the flush is, I'm just guessing. Maybe I'll have to take a picture.<div></div><div>What could it be if it starts up and then shuts off? It won't stay on once it started those couple times.
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RE: problem starting caldera
 

Could any one tell me where the idle screw is on the caldera, I can't find it maybe if you could take a pic to show me? not sure why i can't find it lol

RE: problem starting caldera
 

i guess i might just have to ship the engine back once the starter hardened up from yesterday i haven't been able to get it to pull even with the heat gun and he said to get it to 180 degrees and i have a temp gauge and i've done it before so i must be doing it correctly. i just now took the starter off, and can't get it to turn with the wrench either. i took this pic below is this what you were talking about to turn? since it doesn't turn at all. the other darker colored gear (clutch bell i believe) turns but, the gear behind it isn't turning.<div>
</div><div>http://dl.dropbox.com/u/38834766/IMAG0202.jpg
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RE: problem starting caldera
 

Yes, the part you pointed to is the flywheel.  You can turn the engine over by turning it.  Is the engine still locked up with the pull start and glow plug removed?

RE: problem starting caldera
 

yes everything is still locked up, seems it's worst than it was before can't get it loosened with wrench, fly wheel won't turn, i just dissasembled it from the unit completely took off that rod that connects the throttle etc. and took off the entire block I'm just going to send it back to redcat. i've never had as much difficulty with any of the previous redcats except for this, today a customer brought back a volcano since he couldn't get it to start, i saw the hsn was way out past flush, so i turned it in 1/2 turns from flush, and took me several pulls but, i got it started in about 5 minutes. stayed on, we shut it off, i started it again in 2 pulls.

i suppose there could be something wrong with the engine then especially since i can't turn the flywheel that should be a flag? since i'm out of ideas the 2 hrs i spent that other day i was messing with hsn/lsn contionously thinking if that had anything to do with it since that was my experience with the previous shockwave, never noticed that with the other cars that hsn/lsn setting is interfering it from starting so i thought maybe that had something to do with this one as well.

well now it seems completely locked, hair dryer won't even do anything, even if i get it unlocked i think it's still better for me to send it back since this keeps happening so there's no telling if it will lock up again, might as well send it back
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RE: problem starting caldera
 

Well it can happen with any manufacturer.  You just may have received a bad engine.  Anything is possible internally.  Redcat will make it right I'm sure.  It will just set you back about a week waiting on the warranty.  Glad to hear your able to help out your customers with their problems.  Like I said previously,  all your past troubles will only make you that much more knowledgeable in the future.

RE: problem starting caldera
 

yes I understand, I have nothing negative to say I realize these things happen, it's just one of those things, with electronics or motors these things just happen time to time. i guess when I said that it hasn't happened with the other cars i meant that there must be something actually wrong and that it's probably not a setting or something typical that's the cause for it not starting, this looks like it could be a serious issue or something that redcat needs to check out.<div>
</div><div>actually a customer brought back this caldera the next day, i ended up trading him for a lightning he didn't want to deal with the warranty and i could tell that he couldn't have done anything to it from the condition still in brand new condition, he said it started once and that was it, from the tires and everything there's really no wear on it. so i did the trade and now i'm trying to resolve the issue.</div><div>
</div><div>it felt good starting that volcano today lol after being frustrated with this and feeling like a noob again not knowing what i'm doing wrong that i can't get it to start, and having that volcano fire up, kind of made my day lol was good to hear it running</div><div>
</div><div>well, a week is not bad turaround, will send it back monday will update this thread if they reply letting me know what the issue was or once i get the replacement and see if it starts up and everything</div><div>
</div><div>thanks for all your help!</div><div>
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