Bringing back an old RC car from sitting idle

jozi

I've an old HPI Nitro RS4-2 sitting in the boiler house the past 2-3 years (college takes up a lot of time).

From what i remember it didn't work the last time. I think that might have been down to old fuel and a old glow plug, i'll be buying both new tomorrow.

Assuming it was the fuel and it will start again, anything i should do before hand, take care of, check over? I was going to set the carb so as to run in the engine as per manuals instructions before letting her run again.

Will all the belts, clutch and shocks still be in good enough nick?

I remember ive also had some problems with the screws from the engine coming loose, what good to keep them in place (locitight)? What should i use where screws have eaten away the plastic and can't be tightened enough?

Jozi

coolwings

If it was put away just after use it will have thickened fuel remainder inside.
One pull of the recoil starter will tell you beause it feels like the insides are full high viscous jam!
You will probably have to clean it by putting some kerosene through the fuel system and engine first.

workaccount

coolwings wrote: »

If it was put away just after use it will have thickened fuel remainder inside.
One pull of the recoil starter will tell you beause it feels like the insides are full high viscous jam!
You will probably have to clean it by putting some kerosene through the fuel system and engine first.

If you put after run oil in when you put it away last I don't think you will have this issue though.

jozi

I've always used after run oil after using it. I'll give the cord a pull and see what it's like. Might not be a bad i dea anyhow to clean the lines and engine out with some kerosene.

Other than that everything should be ok?

workaccount

jozi wrote: »

I've always used after run oil after using it. I'll give the cord a pull and see what it's like. Might not be a bad i dea anyhow to clean the lines and engine out with some kerosene.

Other than that everything should be ok?

I'd say you should just start it and give it a run around the place....loctite might be a little strong for the screws though - what happens if you want to take the engine out?

Maybe some of that locknut glue (blue stuff) might do the trick.

The only way around the places where the plastic has worn due to tightening the screws too much is to re-tap. You will need to go with a bigger screw size obviously after though.

r011ingthunder

What about drilling the plastic and using bolts with lock-washers instead of the screws. I know nothing about cars, but I was advised to do this with the engine in the plane some months back, which reminds me....

coolwings

If you used after run oil before putting it into storage, all should be fine, once the other little things are tidied up.

jozi

Got some fuel yesterday, charged all batteries over night, checked everything worked, fileld the tank a little and she fired up 1st attempt!

Ran a tank of fuel with a rich mix, drove it a little after and now i can't for the life of me get going again :mad:

Have a new glow plug to in but i can't find the tool to remove the old one

workaccount

jozi wrote: »

Have a new glow plug to in but i can't find the tool to remove the old one

Well there's a special tool but a needle nose pliers would probably do the job.

My experience of nitro...you could spend 15 mins trying to get it started and try everything with no joy.

Then an hour later you could come back to it and it will start first time!

jozi

Just needed to get a socket set with an 8mm to get it out, got one eventually.

I've been there before where it's a pain to get it going and as you say an hr later it's fine.

I've put the new plug in, been raining since so haven't tried it yet. Hopefully it will work!

vectra

jozi wrote: »

and now i can't for the life of me get going again :mad:

And suddenly you remembered exactly why you did put it away :rolleyes:

coolwings

vectra wrote: »

And suddenly you remembered exactly why you did put it away :rolleyes:

Some of us have got past the "I want an oily engine with real smoke" stage
to the "I want an engine that really works all the time" stage ....

and use electric.

vectra

coolwings wrote: »

Some of us have got past the "I want an oily engine with real smoke" stage
to the "I want an engine that really works all the time" stage ....

and use electric.

You got it :pac:

workaccount

coolwings wrote: »

Some of us have got past the "I want an oily engine with real smoke" stage
to the "I want an engine that really works all the time" stage ....

and use electric.

I like oil and smoke.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

coolwings wrote: »

Some of us have got past the "I want an oily engine with real smoke" stage
to the "I want an engine that really works all the time" stage ....

and use electric.

LOL.... yeah:D

I use both, and the is nothnig quiet like a groupe of nitro's tearing around the place, what a noise!!!!

But the elecs are soooooo hassel free too

vectra

FuzzyWuzzyWazza wrote: »

But the elecs are soooooo hassel free too

Especially now with Lipo power and Brushless systems " Plug and Play"

jozi

Little OT Got the plug replaced, had a nice run with it this morning, had to give the needle valve turn of a few clicks and adjust my idle but all seems to be working fine, flies like i remember it used to and she even stops

Them electric are they as fast as petrol? What do you do for the lack of oil/fuel/noise?

coolwings

Excellent to hear you're up and running!

Top electric is better than fuel. Cheap electric is less than fuel. It is a wider quality band.

What do I do for lack of noise? I go faster ..that's what! :-)

Have fun.

vectra

coolwings wrote: »

What do I do for lack of noise? I go faster ..that's what! :-)

There you have it :cool: