tjstinson
RCTalk Basher
First, I am somewhat new to the RC hobby, but I would not consider myself completely green. I am still learning, but I have maintained and had success with a nitro buggy for months.
I just bought a Savage X 4.6 new. Got it started and the throttle trim was dialed full and before I realized what was going on, I busted the spur gear. I thought I might have ruined the engine, but it has good compression and seems fine. Bought all four spur gears that the hobby shop had and replaced the stock one. Have a perfect mesh now and I have learned a valuable lesson to always check the settings on the controls before I start the truck.
I finally got two tanks during the idle break in and two tanks of limited and gentle figure 8 runs.
I just started tuning the HSN...
PROBLEMS AGAIN:
1. Was probably a full turn or more on the HSN (done in 1 hr increments at a time, of course) and though the engine was definitely getting dialed in using 20% Traxxas fuel, I was no where close to standing up (new black top in 40 degree ambient temperature).
2. Checked the temps after the fuel run. 280 degrees!? I was definitely doing some WOT runs, but nothing extreme and I still felt the HSN needed turned in at least a 1/4 or more turns based on the turns and response I was already getting. So high temps and I know that temps are relative and subject to many different factors, but being a new truck and knowing that I was not getting the throttle response I should expect, and the truck has yet to take the front wheels higher than a 1/2'' from the ground, what am I to do?
2a. I could ignore temps entirely and risk damage to the engine, but perhaps high temps and little torque response is typical during big block break ins? Should I just put the temp gun aside, focus only on smoke from the exhaust, throttle response, and just trust the visual and audible clues and risk the warranty while ignoring HPI suggested temp suggestions?
2b. Has everyone had to patiently wait beyond the initial break in to get the desired performance they expected from a stock Savage X 4.6? After watching HPI's 2009 big block break in video and seeing a wheelie after just a few HSN adjustments I had the expectation that I would have seen similar results. I spent a whole tank and many HSN adjustments and never got close to a standing truck.
3. I just went through one tank during the tuning phase (to be clear: I have had only five tanks of fuel through this Savage to this point- two at idle, two during figure 8s, and one tuning the HSN) and suddenly the back plate just spins the wheel to the roto start and does not engage the piston.
3a. I have read on forums that this happens if oil or lubrication gets into the one-way bearing. I certainly believe this the case as after letting it sit I got it started again. It died immediately (I just popped the throttle a bit too hard once it started and it died). I tried to start it again and the spinning returned. Let it sit a day and I could engaged the piston with the roto start, but when I gave it throttle, it would not move. It then died and the back plate went to spinning once more. It is as though it dries out after sitting and once I can use it effectively again it gets lubricated within (though I have sprayed different cleaners at the opening over the past couple days) and won't engage the piston. Does that mean it is not broken since it CAN work after a period of sitting? I have a new plate coming from HPI, and I have not removed the stock one, but I suspect this is a lubrication issue?
4. At what point would you just say forget this? I want the Savage. I want it to operate as advertised. I don't want to alter it any more than necessary until I have made myself familiar with it enough to make alterations that are specific to my desired performance based on it's stock stage at full potential. I haven't seen that potential yet (I got it over a week ago and all of these things have hindered me from even getting it tuned). I guess what I am asking, without changing stock parts, are my expectations realistic? Shouldn't I be seeing wheelies, tuned engine within a reasonable temp, and a back plate that performs more reliably? All of the issues I have had are so far from what I was expecting when I spent months researching my next purchase and settled with this one. I am very disheartened, annoyed, disappointed, and certainly the laugh of all my neighbors who watch me pack my gear to the street just to watch me pack it back in moments later. I have spent $800 in parts, tools, the truck, and accessories, and a week later I'm sitting here wondering if I am the fool.
I am open to all suggestions and support you can offer. I know this is lengthy and might seem like "another guy that should have just gone electric and/or got over his head-noob!" I hope you can put aside your feelings and give me the straight talk based on solid experience. I appreciate all your words or efforts to help. Thank you.
I just bought a Savage X 4.6 new. Got it started and the throttle trim was dialed full and before I realized what was going on, I busted the spur gear. I thought I might have ruined the engine, but it has good compression and seems fine. Bought all four spur gears that the hobby shop had and replaced the stock one. Have a perfect mesh now and I have learned a valuable lesson to always check the settings on the controls before I start the truck.
I finally got two tanks during the idle break in and two tanks of limited and gentle figure 8 runs.
I just started tuning the HSN...
PROBLEMS AGAIN:
1. Was probably a full turn or more on the HSN (done in 1 hr increments at a time, of course) and though the engine was definitely getting dialed in using 20% Traxxas fuel, I was no where close to standing up (new black top in 40 degree ambient temperature).
2. Checked the temps after the fuel run. 280 degrees!? I was definitely doing some WOT runs, but nothing extreme and I still felt the HSN needed turned in at least a 1/4 or more turns based on the turns and response I was already getting. So high temps and I know that temps are relative and subject to many different factors, but being a new truck and knowing that I was not getting the throttle response I should expect, and the truck has yet to take the front wheels higher than a 1/2'' from the ground, what am I to do?
2a. I could ignore temps entirely and risk damage to the engine, but perhaps high temps and little torque response is typical during big block break ins? Should I just put the temp gun aside, focus only on smoke from the exhaust, throttle response, and just trust the visual and audible clues and risk the warranty while ignoring HPI suggested temp suggestions?
2b. Has everyone had to patiently wait beyond the initial break in to get the desired performance they expected from a stock Savage X 4.6? After watching HPI's 2009 big block break in video and seeing a wheelie after just a few HSN adjustments I had the expectation that I would have seen similar results. I spent a whole tank and many HSN adjustments and never got close to a standing truck.
3. I just went through one tank during the tuning phase (to be clear: I have had only five tanks of fuel through this Savage to this point- two at idle, two during figure 8s, and one tuning the HSN) and suddenly the back plate just spins the wheel to the roto start and does not engage the piston.
3a. I have read on forums that this happens if oil or lubrication gets into the one-way bearing. I certainly believe this the case as after letting it sit I got it started again. It died immediately (I just popped the throttle a bit too hard once it started and it died). I tried to start it again and the spinning returned. Let it sit a day and I could engaged the piston with the roto start, but when I gave it throttle, it would not move. It then died and the back plate went to spinning once more. It is as though it dries out after sitting and once I can use it effectively again it gets lubricated within (though I have sprayed different cleaners at the opening over the past couple days) and won't engage the piston. Does that mean it is not broken since it CAN work after a period of sitting? I have a new plate coming from HPI, and I have not removed the stock one, but I suspect this is a lubrication issue?
4. At what point would you just say forget this? I want the Savage. I want it to operate as advertised. I don't want to alter it any more than necessary until I have made myself familiar with it enough to make alterations that are specific to my desired performance based on it's stock stage at full potential. I haven't seen that potential yet (I got it over a week ago and all of these things have hindered me from even getting it tuned). I guess what I am asking, without changing stock parts, are my expectations realistic? Shouldn't I be seeing wheelies, tuned engine within a reasonable temp, and a back plate that performs more reliably? All of the issues I have had are so far from what I was expecting when I spent months researching my next purchase and settled with this one. I am very disheartened, annoyed, disappointed, and certainly the laugh of all my neighbors who watch me pack my gear to the street just to watch me pack it back in moments later. I have spent $800 in parts, tools, the truck, and accessories, and a week later I'm sitting here wondering if I am the fool.
I am open to all suggestions and support you can offer. I know this is lengthy and might seem like "another guy that should have just gone electric and/or got over his head-noob!" I hope you can put aside your feelings and give me the straight talk based on solid experience. I appreciate all your words or efforts to help. Thank you.