
TRX 2.5R • 28
TROUBLESHOOTING THE TRX 2.5R
Engine will not spin (pull start or electric starter will not turn the engine):
• The engine could be flooded. If too much fuel accumulates in the combustion chamber at start up, the
engine will hydraulically lock. Follow the procedure on page 29 for clearing a flooded engine.
• Check for binding at the engine flywheel. If you are not able to turn the engine by hand, the engine
could be flooded, there could be binding in the clutch system, or there could be internal engine
damage. See page 29 for info on clearing a flooded engine and releasing a stuck piston. (Note: It is
normal for the engine to be extremely tight and hard to turn when the piston reaches the top of the
compression stroke.)
Engine extremely sluggish, hard to start, and will not idle during tank 1 of the break in:
• It is possible that the factory adjusted break-in settings on your carburetor are too rich for your
geographic location, atmospheric conditions, or fuel brand. Extremes in temperature, humidity,
barometric pressure, and altitude can’t always be accounted for with a single high-speed needle
setting. The symptoms described above can occur when the air density is very low, such as in high
mountainous elevations and extremely cold temperatures. Under these conditions, lean the fuel
mixture slightly, 1/8 turn, and see if there is any improvement in starting and idling. Lean the fuel
mixture only until the engine will run and idle reliably, and then proceed with the break-in.
• The contents of different brands of fuel (other than Traxxas Top Fuel) in combination with extreme
atmospheric conditions can also make the factory preset break-in settings too rich and cause the
symptoms described above. Again, try leaning the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8 turn, to see if there is
any improvement in starting and idling.
Engine performance sluggish:
• Engine performance depends mostly on the fuel mixture settings and how they compensate for the
current atmospheric conditions. Before you suspect other failures with the engine, richen the high-
speed needle at least 1/4 turn and then retune the engine for performance (see page 22).
• Try a new Traxxas glow plug. Sometimes a glow plug will work well enough to start the engine but
not be able to deliver the engine’s full performance potential.