Problem starting a Duratrax Warhead

[lesteryeong]

Hi all

I just got a donor Duratrax Warhead and it refuses to start. I have checked glow plug is good, carburator adjustments are according to factory, air filter is good, fuel used was fresh, glow igniter is working.

What should I look into before tearing the engine apart? Or is there any kind hobby shop which will offer some help? I am new to nitro truck. Thanks.

Regards

Lester

[lesteryeong]

I would like to add that prior to my ownership, it has been in storage for at least a year. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

[skyblueblue]

Is there any compression on the engine?

Pull start engine, bump start or EZ start?

[lesteryeong]

It still on pull start. Can I just convert to ez start with the starter? Anything that I need to do on my truck?

[skyblueblue]

i think u should try starting the engine first before you do any upgrade. I feel Pull start or torque start is till the best

Is the compression still good? Try to warm the cooling head abit before starting.

[lesteryeong]

I just cleaned up the engine. It still has strong compression. No rust at all. I am currently on 4 turns out for high speed. 12 1/2 turns out for low speed with the needle fully extended and idle stop screw shows about 1mm gap in barrel. Glow plug and igniter are still working. Truck just refuses to start.

What is a torque start?

I left the igniter on for almost 5 min and it still refuses to start. Even got a blister from the pull starting and it's not funny at all.

Thanks.

[skyblueblue]

pm u

[lesteryeong]

Hi all

Turned out that it was because of the after run oil and WD40 that was used to clean up the chamber. It's all started and running hard. I've done some tuning and waiting to try it out again.

One question: What is the normal plug brand and number to use on a typical 1/8 scale engine over here? Where is a cheap source to buy them from? Are there hobby stores here that specializes in off road cars?

Thanks.

[lesteryeong]

BTW, I am on a no. 4 plug which I took off another vehicle to run the warhead as the original plug which came with it is dead.

[titosg]

BTW, I am on a no. 4 plug which I took off another vehicle to run the warhead as the original plug which came with it is dead.

hi, i'm now in a similar situation. i cleaned up an old engine with wd40 and looks like all is ok (engine spinning freely with good compression) but i haven't tried starting it yet. so how did you clear the wd40/after-run oil up?

[lesteryeong]

Hi Titosg

I managed to start it with Just Hobby's Mr Liw's help. What he did was to make sure the glow plug igniter was fully charged or with a fresh cell. Loosen the glow plug and add some fuel to the carburetor to make sure there was fuel and to dissolve/remove the WD40 or after run oil in the combustion chamber. Replace the glow plug with finger tight strength, give it a few good yanks and if you hear a medium to high pitch 'thud-thud' soun, the engine is trying to turn over. A few more good yanks will start her right up. Otherwise, repeat from the beginning again to remove as much of the WD40 or after run oil as possible. Good luck.

[titosg]

Hi Titosg

I managed to start it with Just Hobby's Mr Liw's help. What he did was to make sure the glow plug igniter was fully charged or with a fresh cell. Loosen the glow plug and add some fuel to the carburetor to make sure there was fuel and to dissolve/remove the WD40 or after run oil in the combustion chamber. Replace the glow plug with finger tight strength, give it a few good yanks and if you hear a medium to high pitch 'thud-thud' soun, the engine is trying to turn over. A few more good yanks will start her right up. Otherwise, repeat from the beginning again to remove as much of the WD40 or after run oil as possible. Good luck.

Hi lesteryeong, just an update. I was able to start without any problem. First, I used a hair dryer to heat up the engine. Then, I put a drop of fuel into the carburetor. I also loosened the glow plug very slightly. I raised the idle a little as well as making it a little rich.

I'm using a bumpstart. On the first 2 trys, with a finger on the throttle to help it a little bit, the engine started right up!

[lesteryeong]

Great to hear that. i managed to repair my broken pull starter and was running it around this morning. Burnt out the no 4 plug and replaced with a no. 5. Will run it again tomorrow with a slightly richer idle.

[alex_bong]

start engine

Burnt out the no 4 plug and replaced with a no. 5

Hi, I personally recommend OS No.8.

I also loosened the glow plug very slightly

Hi, lossen glow plug = compression leaking . end up engine die-off while running halfway.

For engine steady, Don't every time go tuning the idle/low speed. it's not necessary. only a bit hi-speed needle adjustment will do. and always make it a bit on the rich side.

[lesteryeong]

Thanks Alex. Was advised by a hobby shop specialising in buggies and trucks to use a No. 5 instead. No. 8 is too cold according to him.