jschevy01

My Feedback: (1)

I have had my T-MAX about a season now.. Not used all that much.. But I have followed the instruction in the manual, but to no avail can I seem to get this thing to run right. Either the engine smoke, or it continously stalles when driving it. I don't think I have burned one tank of gas throught this truck without it stalling... Is this normal, or what am I doing wrong...HELP. I think by now, I am most likely not even close on the low\high idel screws

Sc00ter

I have a couple of suggestions.

1. First check your plug. Verify that it is not all carbed up, which it likely is. Better yet, replace the glow plug. Get a good OS plug.
2. Next set your HSN back to factory breakin settings. Your HSN should be 4 complete turns out from closed.
3. Next set your LSN back to factory breakin settings. Your LSN should be flush (even) with the edge of the slide valve. See the second image below.
4. Set your idle stop screw back to factory setting. After taking off your air filter housing, look into the carb and set it to a 1mm gap. See the first image below.

This should get it into a situation to get the truck started and running. You can then tune, a little at a time, starting with your HSN. Make sure there is a haze of blue smoke coming out of the exhaust or you'll fry your mill. But also make sure that you lean it up adequately. This is a fine line to travel. Make sure all changes you make are slight (1/16 - 1/8 turns only). Run your truck for a couple of laps to verify each change in setting. After you get the HSN (remember only verify running at high speeds), then start on the most likely culprit, the LSN. Adjust this one very carefully, slowly and methodically.

This all may take some time, but I got mine running prime. I now only start my rig once per tank of gas, unless I flip over and can't get to it in time.

Another route you might take is paying your LHS to tune it for you. A couple of bucks spent having the shop work out all of the problems will be worth getting the $500 paperweight off your shelf and onto the track!

Good luck.

liquidfluidity

i disagree with the o.s. plug. that particular small block is meant to run with a long plug not short. the stock traxxas plugs are a good plug for the t-max application as is the mccoy#59. they are basically the same plug since mccoy makes plugs for traxxas. otherwise i do agree about going back to stock needle settings and retuning. i also agree with having your shop help you tune or tune it for you as you watch and learn. tuning is a learned technique. i have worked on 2-stroke motorcycles for awhile and ran r/c for a couple of years so i had a pretty good handle on tuning. definitely use small increments when turning your needles. think of it as a watch face and turn in 1 hour increments - run for a few minutes and check. also watch your temperature. a temp gun is nice to have to keep you from running too hot. you can also drop some water on the top cooling fin. it shouldn't boil off 'til 4-5 seconds have passed. this puts it at between 230* and 250*. if it just sizzles and is gone , you're too lean and need to richen it up a quarter of a turn or 4 "hours" and retune from there untill you find that sweet spot.once you get that set(hsn) you can check the lsn. do the pinch test which will get you close to where you need to be. if i remember correctly i think you should make a few passes and then bring it in . let the idle settle and then pinch the fuel line going to the carb. the idle should rise slightly then kill. this rise then drop should take about 3-4 seconds. tune in same small increments and make a few passes before each needle turn. hope this helps and good luck.

jschevy01

My Feedback: (1)

Wow, thanks so much for the knowledge... To bad one of you weren't around...... I don't remember off hand though.. You both state to return to factory settings...Is the recomended starting needle positions listed in the manual..? (example.. Close the needle fully and then turn it two full turns out...) That way I know exactly the starting position. Like I said it's been a while since I even tried messing with it... the shop sounds like a real good Idea..I could probably learn a lot..

liquidfluidity

i would check the manual or check the traxxas site. i know it's there.i don't remember off the top of my head what they are. i haven't ran a t-maxx since last year.

jschevy01

My Feedback: (1)

sc00ter; is the instructions you gave the actual start positons for the HSN & LSN... (4 complete turns and flush with edge??)..

Sc00ter

That's what Traxxas says are the factory settings.