T-MAXX 3.3 OWNER’S MANUAL • 27
MAINTAINING AND STORING YOUR T-MAXX 3.3
Your T-Maxx 3.3 requires timely maintenance in order to
stay in top running condition.
Neglecting the maintenance
could allow dirt, deposits, and moisture to build up inside the engine
leading to internal engine failure.
The following procedures should be
taken very seriously.
After each hour of running:
• Clean and re-oil the pre-filter air filter element. At every 3-4 hours, also
clean and re-oil the primary air filter element. The instructions for these
maintenance procedures are on page 15.
We cannot stress enough
the value of cleaning your air filter at the scheduled intervals.
The
cleanliness and condition of your air filter directly influences the running
life span or your engine.
Do not skip air filter maintenance!
• Clean the outside of the engine of accumulated dirt, oil, and grime.
Accumulated grime will decrease the engine’s ability to cool itself.
• Tighten the wheel nuts (especially on the left side). Use the included
universal wrench.
After each running session:
• Perform after-run maintenance on the engine. This clears the engine
of destructive moisture and other corrosive deposits.
This is extremely
important for the life of the engine.
See
After-run Procedure,
right.
• Inspect the gears for wear, broken teeth, or debris lodged between the teeth.
•
I
nspect the vehicle for obvious damage or wear. Look for:
1. Loose or missing screws
2. Cracked, bent, or damaged parts
3. Cut or loose wiring
4. Cut or kinked fuel lines
5. Signs of fuel leakage
Other periodic maintenance:
•
Piston/sleeve:
The life of the piston and sleeve
will vary greatly with how the engine was used
and maintained. The piston and sleeve should be
replaced when they no longer seal effectively (loss of
compression). Symptoms include the engine being
difficult to start when warm, stalling when warm,
and stalling when throttle is suddenly closed to idle.
Replace the wrist pin and G-clip whenever the piston
and sleeve are replaced.
•
Connecting rod:
The connecting rod should be
replaced when the piston and sleeve are replaced.
Also replace the piston wrist pin and G-clip whenever
the connecting rod is replaced. As with other internal
engine components, connecting rod life depends
engine’s usage and the quality and frequency of the
engine maintenance. Inspect the connecting rod
after 3-gallons of fuel have been used.
•
Slipper clutch pads
(friction material):
Under normal use, the friction
material in the slipper clutch should
wear very slowly. If the thickness of
any one of the slipper clutch pads
is 1.8mm or less, the friction disc
should be replaced. Measure the pad
thickness using calipers or measuring
against the diameter of the 1.5 and 2.0mm hex wrenches provided with
the model.
After-run Procedure
You must perform after-run maintenance on your TRX 3.3 Racing Engine
whenever the model will be stored for longer than a few hours. Taking
the time to prepare your engine for storage will reward you with longer
engine life, easier starting, and better performance.
When a nitro engine is shut off, some excess unburned fuel remains in the
engine. The methanol in model engine fuel is hygroscopic, which means
it easily attracts and absorbs moisture. This moisture can cause rust and
corrosion on the steel engine parts (crankshaft, bearings, wrist pin and
starter shaft) if the fuel is not removed from the engine. There are after
run oil products available from your hobby dealer or you can use WD-40
™
,
a common household lubricant. To ensure your TRX 3.3 Racing Engine is
protected from internal corrosion, use the following procedure:
1.
Shut off the engine by pinching the fuel line closed. This allows most
of the excess fuel to be consumed by the engine. Be sure the throttle
is in the idle position. You may have to pinch the fuel line closed for
several seconds before the engine stops.
2.
Completely empty the fuel tank. Use your fuel-dispensing bottle to
suck out the old fuel. Do not mix the old fuel with your fresh fuel
supply. If you leave fuel in the tank, transporting or handling your
T-Maxx 3.3 may cause fuel to run into the engine.
3.
With the fuel tank empty and the throttle at the idle position, try to
start the engine. The engine will most likely start and run for a few
seconds as it uses up any fuel remaining in the engine and fuel lines.
4.
Once the engine stops, clean the outside of the engine with
compressed air or spray motor cleaner. Once the engine is clean and
dry, remove the glow plug power wire, glow plug, and air filter.
5.
Open the throttle fully and spray a one-second burst of WD-40 into the
carburetor and into the glow plug hole (Caution! Wear safety glasses
to prevent spray from getting into your eyes). If you are using after-run
oil, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
6.
Place a rag or paper towel over the engine to catch any WD-40 or
after-run oil that may come out the carburetor or glow plug hole.
7.
Connect the EZ-Start controller to the model and spin the engine for
10 seconds.
8.
Remove the rag or paper towel and repeat steps 5–7 two more times.
9.
Clean and re-oil the air filter so it will be ready for use next time. See
page 15 for air filter maintenance instructions.
10.
Replace the glow plug, reconnect the glow plug power wire, and
reinstall the air filter.
If the engine is worn or damaged enough to require replacing
the piston, sleeve, or connecting rod, consider exchanging your
old engine for a brand new engine with Traxxas Power-UP.
It could save you time and effort. Details are in your model’s
documentation package.
The TRX
3.
3 Racing Engine is designed to be easy to rebuild.
Critical engine components such as the crankcase, crankshaft,
and engine bearings are made to extremely high quality standards and
should under normal circumstances outlast multiple sets of pistons,
sleeves, connecting rods, and wrist pins (reciprocating assemblies).
It could be more economical for you to continue to use your good
bearings and crankshafts, and simply replace the reciprocating
assembly as needed. Engine assembly is not difficult and replacing the
reciprocating assembly does not require any special tools or skills.
