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Nitro Rustler
Engine spins but will not start:
If the engine is spinning but will not start, first check to make sure
that both the motor and glow plug LEDs on the EZ-Start controller
light when the button is depressed. If the glow plug LED does not
light, make sure the blue glow plug wire is tightly connected and is
not damaged in any way. If the wire is good, then replace the glow
plug. It is normal for glow plugs to require periodic replacement.
Only use Traxxas heavy-duty long glow plugs (see your parts list).
Check your fuel mixture settings. It may be necessary to adjust the
fuel mixture if the outside temperature or barometric pressure has
changed significantly since the last time the engine was run (see
Fine Tuning the Carburetor on page 30). Turn the high-speed needle
out (rich/counterclockwise) 1/4 turn, hold the throttle trigger at
about 1/2 throttle and try again to start the engine. Once started,
retune the engine for performance (see page 28).
Check to make sure the fuel is getting to the carburetor. Remove the
fuel line where it connects to the carburetor to see if there is fuel in
it. If not, you may need to prime the engine. Reconnect the fuel line
and then refer to page 25 for instructions on priming the engine.
The engine could be worn. If the fit between the piston and sleeve
is loose, compression is reduced and the engine will be difficult
to start when it is warm, and may tend to stall when running and
when the throttle is closed suddenly to idle. Engine life depends
on many factors including fuel type, air filter maintenance, needle
settings, and how the engine was used. For example, if the engine
was allowed to ingest dirt from lack of air filter maintenance or
running through water, then the internal engine components could
wear out extremely fast.
Glow plug may have failed. If using an EZ-Start, check to see if the
glow plug light is on during starting. If not, replace the glow plug. If
using a glow ignitor, remove and check the glow plug.
Engine performance sluggish:
Engine performance depends mostly on the fuel mixture settings
and how they compensate for the current atmospheric conditions.
Before you suspect other failures with the engine, richen the high-
speed needle at least 1/4 turn and then retune the engine for
performance (see page 28).
If the fuel mixture seems to be set correctly, make sure the fuel is
fresh. If the fuel is old, or was left uncapped for a long period, then
some of the important fuel components could have evaporated. Try
new, fresh, Traxxas Top Fuel
®
.
Try a new Traxxas glow plug. Sometimes a glow plug will work well
enough to start the engine but not be able to deliver the engine’s
full performance potential.
Check to make sure there is no binding in the driveline that would
cause excessive loads on the engine.
Clearing a Flooded Engine
If the engine is primed for too long during startup, then it can become
flooded with fuel. When the engine is flooded it will no longer turn
due to excess fuel in the combustion chamber preventing upward
movement of the piston. Use the following procedure to clear a
flooded engine:
1. Remove the blue glow plug wire.
2. Remove the glow plug and gasket with the glow plug wrench
supplied with your model. A 5/16 or 8mm nut driver will also work.
3. Turn the model upside down and plug in the EZ-Start controller.
4. Push the EZ-Start button for several seconds to clear the engine
of excess fuel. Do not look into the glow plug hole while the
engine is spinning or you could spray fuel into your face!
5. Turn the model over and reinstall the glow plug and gasket.
6. Reconnect the blue glow plug wire to the glow plug.
7. Reconnect the EZ-Start controller.
8. Do not prime the engine. Pull the throttle to 1/2 throttle and push
the EZ-Start button. The engine should start immediately.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR NITRO RUSTLER
