R/C truck
 

does anyone have any experience with revo 3.3 trucks? I have one that won't start. The spark plug light doesn't come on. need to know how to check if wire is working becuase plug is brand new.

I have a HPI Savage SS 4.6, lots of fun, but I still have new parts to install before it's drivable again :twised:

Spark plug light? What's that? I thought you just turned on your electronics, turn on your remote, plug in your glow igniter, and then pull start or use an electric starter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GA1G9__joY

Maybe your batteries are dead? :razz:

Not totally sure on the Revo 3.3, But easy way is take a new plug, hook the wire to it, and hold it on the engine while trying to start it. If it glows, wiring is good. If not, time to dismantle and see what the problem it. Nothinn like takin stuff apart.

I have 3 nitro's at the moment, which none I have time for.

I meant glow plug. Anyways I found found out how to check the plug and it's working fine. The engine is turning over and the glow plug is heating so it has to be starved for fuel. I'm going to pull the carb perhaps it's clogged up. I purchased this r/c used so I'm hoping I didn't get ripped off.

I have a Revo and a T-Maxx, do you have the manual? Set the needle screws back to factory settings and start there.
The Traxxas site has videos and manuals online.
Check the lid of the fuel tank for a good seal, if there is a fuel filter check that, if there isn't you should add one.
Turn it over by hand and check for compression, you can use soapy water to check for air leaks around the carb and backplate.
What percentage fuel are you using?
Use fresh fuel and probably wouldn't hurt to use the same % that it was run on before.
Did the seller say how he broke in the motor?
If you don't have any luck you can take it to your LHS and ask them to check it out.
If worst comes to worst Traxxas has an engine trade in program.
I'm converting a Thunder Tiger 4wd nitro Dodge Viper to a drift car and trying to figure out a place to run it when I'm done.:biggrin:

Main thing is does it have compression? Should have a definitive "thump" when it turns over. A worn sleeve will loose compression, and they run/start terrible. I have sleeve resozers that can extend the life of the Sleeves, but they are not all that expensive to change. They are a wear item. If oyu run lean, or to hot, it's hard on the sleeves.

The engine does have compression. I pulled the carb and everything seems fine. I put it all back together primed the fuel line and still nothing. This is very frustrating but a good way to learn about the damned thing! Not sure what to do now.

talk to bullet67...he is right into these and may be able to help :biggrin:

What are you using to start it? pull start or other method?

If the motor is shot I think I have a spare, Traxxas does have a engine replacement plan where you exchange your old for new at reasonable prices.

How are you priming it? They need exhaust pressure to pressurize the fuel tank. The pressure in the fuel tank then pushes the fuel to the carb. Put finger over the end of the exhaust when first starting, to build pressure in the tank. See the hose coming from the exhaust pipe to the tank. Also, that can get pinched,. or cut/worn and you wont presurize. it can take a bit, to get fuel into the engine.

I got it to start! but it still needs work. Turns out the battery in the ezstart wasen't charging properly and couldn't turn over the engine fast enough. Had to charge the battery 3 times to get a good charge. also found a broken engine mount, brake caliper, bent steering arm, missing fuel line clip.....

But I got it to start and it only took me 2 days! How I manage to keep a reef tank is beyond me sometimes.:biggrin:

I know it is obvious but it is worth repeating.

After handling fuels remember to WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY before you put them into your tank.

RC tining is a tricky thing. When you lean them out to much, they seem to run AWESOME. but thats usualy to lean. Heat is a big enemy of Nitro engines. I try to run mine around 230F at the glow plug. Best tool to get is a little InfraRed Temp gun. Point it at the top of the glow plug, so it reads its temp. Need to allways tuneit.Weather conditions, temperature, Humidity, all effect these engines. Even throughout the day, can change its tune. Get used to tuning, and it will be easy

Hehehe, wait until you hit something with it and count the broken parts :razz:

I'd swear almost every time I take my truck out it's at least 20-30$. Last time I caught the front right tire on a big enough tree; broke the upper and lower a-arms, bent the dog bone, and broke the steer servo saver :redface:

The problem is for every part you break, there is an 'upgraded' better part that always costs more :twised:

damn these expensive hobbies.....

LOL you got that right, If I told you what I spend on toy trucks I am sure some nice people in white coats would show up and haul me off to a padded room. When this thing is finished it will have cost me more than my tank! http://www.scale4x4rc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18816

I once tallied up my RC's, well over $10k!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Savage is a pretty custom piece too, with Carbon Fiber and Billet..

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...%20002%7E0.jpg

Just a couple of them.....

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...2/RC%20002.jpg

No kidding when I used to race 1/10 off road it was insane, racing against factory drivers with full sponsorship, using new motors, tires, and batteries every heat.

Now I just run for fun, cars, trucks, a couple sailboats, Villain Deep-V, and now heli's.

Here's some
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...7-1725_IMG.jpg

I'm suprised how fast this truck is. When I get it turned properly I'm sure it will go faster. For some reason the truck isn't shifting properly and it seams to want to stall out when I'm on full acceleration, or braking. I'll get this truck figured out yet.

Nice trucks, if I had that many I think my girlfriend would kick my ass. Mrfish55 I couldn't see pictures of your ladder truck because I wasn't a member of that board.

Heres one of it sitting on top of my old 180, ladder extends 6feet.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...h55/ladder.jpg
Showing some of the lights (over 130 LED's and 8 different flash patterns)
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...fish55/024.jpg

Not quite finished yet, this is 3 years in the making.

excellent work Mrfish55 was this a spur of the moment "hey I should build a fire truck!" type of build?

Is the truck fully functional (extending ladder, outriggers)?

the firetruck is awesome!

Heres ours.:mrgreen:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...a/IMG_0100.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...a/IMG_0103.jpg

The bottom one hasnt even seen fuel yet and I havent gotten around to painting a body for it, but it will happen!

Thanks. I looked around and could not find anything commercially available so decided to build my own, It is modeled after and scaled down from the local departments truck, Six months of research and drawings and now approaching 2 1/2 years build time, when complete it will be fully functional with scale hydraulics $$$$$$$$$$$. The ladder has over 350 pieces of brass in three sections and will function just like the real deal. Why can't I find a normal hobby :crazyeye:

I bet you learned alot building that truck! Kinda like your first reef tank.

http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/o...pton1/revo.jpg
Here is a picture of the revo 3.3 that I traded for my old FW equipment. It's a little beat up but I like it.:biggrin:


I'm running 30% nitro becuase the previous owner ran it. I'm guessing the nitro is for performance. Does it really make much difference?

Man oh man I need to take some pictures of my savage. Seems you guys must drive slow on grass and never bash your trucks :razz:

Where does everyone play with their trucks? I'm a big fan of going to the local gravel pits and doing hill climbing. I need to get reverse one of these days instead of climbing the dirt mound when my truck gets stuck.

I'm also surprise nobody is running 40 series tires either! My truck has some monster 40 series with beadlocks :twised:

This sounds fascinating! Can you post a video of it doing a few things?

I was racing the truck around today and the same thing happened last time. It stopped running and I couldn't start it again. Changed the glow plug and cleaned the engine of excess fuel because I thought I flooded it and it still didn't start. Not sure whats going on now.

Well time for me to chime in if it starts and runs fine till it warms up I hate to tell you this but the engine needs a rebuild ( piston and sleeve ) in a nitro engine there are no rings they have a tapered sleeve so as the piston travles to the top the sleeve pinches the piston to create compression. Soooo when the engine gets hot the sleeve expands and looses its pinch which equals no compression. there are a few things that can cause this like leaving the piston at TDC ( top dead center ) when the engine is hot as the engine cools the piston streaches the sleeve this is a big killer of nitro engines. The other big no no is improper brake in of the new engine I dont know how many times i would see a guy buy a new nitro truck on fri. and see him back in the store on Sat. " how come it wont run" It could also be just plan worn out . But hey dont panic it is a traxxas after all any hobby shop that carries RC should have parts for it and a piston and sleeve is not that expensive. Dont bother with the engine exchange program by the time you get it here it will cost more then just buying one from you LHS (local hobby shop)

Hope this helps

your fuel line needs to be changed .. those lines get clogged up after awhile .. garantee you if you change the fuel line it will work ( about 3 bucks )
I have a revo 3.3 as well, and I change my line atleast once a year.

you can try it but I dont think it will help if it was the fuel line it would not start at all if it did start it would run real lean as it would be sucking air in the the fuel. run it till it stalls and see how much compression it has.

I'm willing to bet it's a worn piston/sleeve. Notro engines becomre real finicky if not impossible to keep tuned when they wear out. Usually, thats the reason why the owners sell them, they get frustrated. Sleeves can wear out fast, in less than half a gallon, if they are run to hot.

I ran it for about 10 mins with no problem, I turned hard and the truck flipped over and stalled. The engine would not start again. I hope I didn't burn up the engine!! If I have to replace the piston and sleeve I'm guessing I'll have to brake the engine in again.

Wondering how long can expect an engine to run before a rebuild and about how much to replace piston and sleeve?

Traxxas has the engine exchange program and you get a brand new motor. Instead of spending 70-80 bucks on a rebuild, crossing your fingers and hoping the bearings, carb and one way bearing etc. hold up, it might be better to pay the $130 for a trade in.

I've had engines run for years if maintained properly, that being said I've smoked new engines over a weekend!:redface: Really depends on maintenance and tuning. What brand and nitro % fuel are you running?

30% it's the same percentage the last owner used.

Hot engines are allways hard to start. The fuel vaporizes real easy in a hot engine, and then it doesnt want to ignite. When they stall, you usually have to prime the heck outa them while cranking. Randomly plug the exhaust outlet with your finger while cranking to push fuel into the engine. It'f the dreaded Flame out of racers. watch for the HOT exhaust pipe though/. They sell litle rubber exhaust deflectors made of silicone rubber, they get the erxhaust away from the car more and you dont burn your fingers. The elec start engines are tough to start, try starting a pull start engine when its hot... LOL. Thats why when I was into racing, I most allways had a starter box. They spin the engine at a fast speed. Pretty hard with a Savage though. Also, you can open throttle all the way, crank over a bit, to let cool air into the engine. be hanging on to the car. It may fire and GO.