Traxxas NITRO SLASH Manual page 30

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.
17 17
30 • NITRO SLASH
MAINTAINING AND STORING YOUR MODEL
Your Nitro Slash 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 air filter. The instructions for this procedure are
on page 19. 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 of 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.
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 following for
after-run maintenance procedures.
Inspect 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
Inspect the gears for wear, broken teeth, or debris lodged between
the teeth.
Other periodic maintenance:
Slipper clutch pegs (friction
material): The slipper clutch pegs
will wear over time and require
replacement. The life of the pegs
depends on how the slipper
clutch was adjusted and how the Nitro Slash was used. If the slipper
will not tighten or you are seeing signs of wear on the face of the
gear, then the pegs should be replaced
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 or after three gallons of fuel,
whichever comes first. 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
on engine usage and the quality and frequency of engine
maintenance.
EZ-Start: The cush drive elements in the EZ-Start drive unit
should be inspected after 3-gallons of fuel. If the cush drive
elements appear deformed or hardened, they should be
replaced. Inspect the EZ-Start gears for any signs of wear.
Damaged gears should be replaced. Coat the gears with a thin
layer of white lithium grease.
After-run Procedure
You must perform after-run maintenance on your Traxxas 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.
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