The Low-Speed Needle
The “low-speed” needle is the screw in the middle of the
throttle arm. It controls the fuel to air mixture at low throttle
settings. There is a simple way of adjusting the low-speed
needle correctly called the “pinch test.” With the engine at
idle, pinch the fuel line and listen to how the engine speeds
up or slows down. If the engine increases its speed for
about 2 or 3 seconds and then loses speed, the needle is
set correctly. If the engine loses RPM quickly, it is set too
lean and the low-speed needle needs to be opened
(counterclockwise)
to richen the mixture. Pinch again to
check the mixture. If the engine takes longer than 4 seconds
to slow down, lean
(clockwise)
the low-speed needle and
then pinch again to check the mixture.
The Throttle Stop Screw
On the front of the carburetor, there is a black screw. This is
called the idle stop screw. This increases or decreases the
idle RPM without changing the fuel to air mixture. The barrel
should be approximately 1.5mm (between 1/32" and 1/16")
from fully closed.
To insure long life and good performance from your Torq .16
engine, you
MUST
break-in the engine. The break-in period
is critical for long life of the internal parts of the engine. This
should be done over the first 4 or 5 tanks of fuel.
Some Things To Remember During Break-In
1.
Run with the body off. This will keep the engine cooler.
2.
Keep the air cleaner on at ALL times
3.
Run on a smooth, hard surface. An empty parking lot is
perfect.
4.
Use the same fuel that you will use for normal running.
5.
Resist the urge to accelerate and decelerate the truck
quickly.
6.
Break-in puts stress on the glow plug and you can burn
it out during break-in. Make sure you have an extra plug
or two on hand.
7.
Do NOT overheat the engine. You can check the head
temperature by using one of the temperature gauges
that are available or by putting a drop of water on the
top of the cylinder head. If the water boils away
immediately, shut off the engine and allow it to cool. If it
takes more than 5 seconds to boil away, the engine is
at proper running temperature for break-in.
Before running the engine, read the manual and watch the
engine video that came with this kit.
There are several simple steps to starting the engine:
1. Install a glow plug. This threads into the top of the
cylinder head.
2. Fill the tank - Fill the tank almost to the top. Leave a little
air at the top of the tank.
3. Prime the engine - Use the primer button on the fuel tank
to force the fuel through the fuel line. Watch the fuel go
through the line and when it gets to the carburetor, press
the primer button once more to get fuel into the engine.
4. Open the high speed needle valve exactly 2-3/4 turns out
(counterclockwise)
from fully closed.
The high-speed
needle is sticking up from the carburetor inside the
brass housing.
All of the carburetor settings are
adjusted with a flat bladed screwdriver. If you have
previously run the truck, keep the same needle valve
setting that you used on your last run.
5. Start the engine by pulling the recoil - Use short, quick
pulls.
DO NOT
pull the recoil starter’s string to the end.
You only need 10 to 12 inches of pull to start the engine.
Sometimes it is helpful to start the engine at around half
throttle. Have a friend pull back on the throttle some while
you start the engine. This
may
be an indicator that the low
speed needle setting needs to be adjusted. When the
engine starts, immediately return the throttle to idle. If this is
not done the engine can over-rev and cause engine
damage.
If the engine is difficult to turn over with the
recoil starter, especially if it is brand new, loosen the
glow plug a half turn before starting the engine. This
allows some compression to escape, but the engine will
still start.
Make sure you tighten the glow plug after the
engine starts.
If the recoil starter is still difficult to pull, the
engine is flooded – there is too much fuel inside the engine.
Remove the glow plug and air cleaner, then turn the engine
upside down and pull the recoil 5 or 6 times. This will clear
the engine of fuel, and you will notice the recoil pulls easier.
Replace the glow plug and repeat the starting procedure.
Fuels
Use fuels that are specially formulated for car and truck
engines. DuraTrax Red Alert fuel is specially formulated for
truck engines like the Torq .16.
How To Stop Your Engine
You may have been wondering how to stop the engine. All
you have to do is pinch the fuel line that runs to the
carburetor and from the bottom of the fuel tank. Pinching
this will restrict the fuel flow and the engine will quit within a
few seconds.
RUNNING THE ENGINE
BREAKING-IN THE ENGINE
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