Problems starting R/C nitro Tuscan
Discussion
I've just about finished building my HPI model car, but the 
engine just won't start!
It's fueled up, the glow plug glows when I put the heater on it, but no matter how hard I tug the pull-start, there is not one sign of life!
It has run once, and that was a couple of months ago. It ran for a tank full of fuel, died, and then refused to start again. Since then, nothing!
Can anyone help???? Please!!!!
engine just won't start! It's fueled up, the glow plug glows when I put the heater on it, but no matter how hard I tug the pull-start, there is not one sign of life!
It has run once, and that was a couple of months ago. It ran for a tank full of fuel, died, and then refused to start again. Since then, nothing!
Can anyone help???? Please!!!!
TimW said:
Yea seized me finks! or the trick is not to pull it too hard i pull it long and slowly!! and it nice starting then and i leave the glow plug in to warm up quicker
maybe a naff glow plug! how long u charged it for?
>> Edited by TimW on Monday 27th October 21:26
It isn't seized - the flywheel turns when I pull the lead. Glow plug looks ok when I put it in the heater, and the heater has been on charge all day.
I'll try doing the long and slow approach though - been giving it short, sharp tugs so far.
Ed, I have one of these:
It's a Kyosko 1:10 Porker with a GX15 engine.
Same problem initially but just persevere. Usually the batteries powering the glow plug have given up, the glow plugs take a bit of juice to heat up - try a fresh pair of Duracells. Make sure the glow plug actually heats up when you attach the battery and then pull the cord, i find that a short pull of about 30cm usually starts the engine and then just adjust the air mixture till it settles to a steady tickover. If it is new, run it richer first, and on full throttle you will get some smoke, after a couple of tankfulls you can run it leaner and get better acceleration and top speed, but you will get diminishing returns and if you run it too lean, you`ll damage the engine so just keep an eye out for that.
Oh, prime the engine with one or two depresses of the primer, as soon as the notro enters the carb. If you flood the engine the recoil will almost be impossible to pull, unplug the glow plug and turn the car upside down and rapidly pull the recoil to expel excess fuel and repeat the above again.
I am afraid they all do that sir and once you get the knack of starting it, it will pretty much start up again first time after a while - other than that, they are great fun! Happy powerslides!
It's a Kyosko 1:10 Porker with a GX15 engine.
Same problem initially but just persevere. Usually the batteries powering the glow plug have given up, the glow plugs take a bit of juice to heat up - try a fresh pair of Duracells. Make sure the glow plug actually heats up when you attach the battery and then pull the cord, i find that a short pull of about 30cm usually starts the engine and then just adjust the air mixture till it settles to a steady tickover. If it is new, run it richer first, and on full throttle you will get some smoke, after a couple of tankfulls you can run it leaner and get better acceleration and top speed, but you will get diminishing returns and if you run it too lean, you`ll damage the engine so just keep an eye out for that.
Oh, prime the engine with one or two depresses of the primer, as soon as the notro enters the carb. If you flood the engine the recoil will almost be impossible to pull, unplug the glow plug and turn the car upside down and rapidly pull the recoil to expel excess fuel and repeat the above again.
I am afraid they all do that sir and once you get the knack of starting it, it will pretty much start up again first time after a while - other than that, they are great fun! Happy powerslides!
tamago said:
p.s.
Glow plug should glow bright orange when connected to the heater.
Yep - glow plug does glow bright orange, and even if I leave the heater connected for a while, it still doesn't do a thing when I pull the cable!
At this rate, my right arm will look like Popeye's, and my left like Olive Oyl's!
don`t go there 
I have a nitro powered car as well, but don't get to get it out very often so have the same problem that you are having.
I have found the following to work every time.
Unscrew the glow plug and test it. (As mentioned previously it will glow incandecent orange if it is a good one).
Screw the mixture needle all the way in (so that no fuel can get through) then unscrew it between 1½ and 2 complete turns. From experence this is as good a starting place for tuning as any.
Screw the glow plug back in as normal then unscrew it about one complete turn. Pull the engine over (without the glow starter attached) and you should still feel some resistance but be able to here air hiss out. (The glow plug should not wobble excessivly).
Prime the engine as normal, or if your priming pump has broken (like mine has) put your finger over the exhaust pipe and pull the started swiftly a couple of times).
Now connect the glow starter and wait for about 15 seconds, then pull the engine over, (I find long smooth strokes are the best), it should fire and run. Let it run for a few seconds, disconnect the glow start and tighten the glow plug.
If it cuts out as you are tighnening the glow plug adjust the mixture (this is a bit hit and miss) and try again.
Good luck!
I have found the following to work every time.
Unscrew the glow plug and test it. (As mentioned previously it will glow incandecent orange if it is a good one).
Screw the mixture needle all the way in (so that no fuel can get through) then unscrew it between 1½ and 2 complete turns. From experence this is as good a starting place for tuning as any.
Screw the glow plug back in as normal then unscrew it about one complete turn. Pull the engine over (without the glow starter attached) and you should still feel some resistance but be able to here air hiss out. (The glow plug should not wobble excessivly).
Prime the engine as normal, or if your priming pump has broken (like mine has) put your finger over the exhaust pipe and pull the started swiftly a couple of times).
Now connect the glow starter and wait for about 15 seconds, then pull the engine over, (I find long smooth strokes are the best), it should fire and run. Let it run for a few seconds, disconnect the glow start and tighten the glow plug.
If it cuts out as you are tighnening the glow plug adjust the mixture (this is a bit hit and miss) and try again.
Good luck!
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff