Nitro Rustler
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Piston stuck at “top dead center” (TDC)
“Top dead center” is the position where the piston is at the very top
of the tapered sleeve. Occasionally an engine can get “stuck” at this
position. This is most likely to happen on new engines during break-in,
but can also happen at other times. If the engine is stuck at TDC, use
the following procedure to release the piston from the sleeve:
1. Remove the glow plug using the included tool or 8mm (5/16”) nut
driver and verify that the piston is at the top of its stroke.
2. Use a flat blade screwdriver to rotate the flywheel. Place the
blade of the driver into one of the grooves of the flywheel and
push down, turning the flywheel counter-clockwise when viewed
from the front. The flywheel should turn, unsticking the piston
from the sleeve.
3. Put two or three drops of light machine oil into the glow plug hole
to lubricate the piston and sleeve. Do not use too much oil. It will
hydro-lock the engine. Verify the starter will spin the engine with
the glow plug out.
4. Rotate the flywheel so the piston is at bottom dead center
and replace the glow plug with gasket. Reconnect the blue
glow plug wire.
5. You should now be able to start the engine with the EZ-Start.
Top Dead Center
Bottom Dead Center
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR NITRO RUSTLER
If you have questions or need technical assistance, call Traxxas at
1-888-TRAXXAS
(1-888-872-9927) (U.S. residents only)
