Preparing To Run; Starting The Engine - Traxxas Nitro Sport Operating Instructions Manual

RANGE TEST THE RADIO
There are many things such as buildings, power lines, radio
transmitters, etc. which can adversely affect the performance of
your radio system. To make sure you do not have a "runaway"
model, range test the radio system. With the radio system on and
working, hold the truck and have a friend carry the transmitter
away from you the distance you plan to run the truck. Have the
friend operate the controls on the transmitter to be sure that
everything is working at full range.

PREPARING TO RUN

Installing the EZ-Start battery
®
The EZ-Start system requires a fully
charged 7.2-volt rechargeable NiCad
or NiMH battery pack (not
included). Use a charger
(not included) designed
for 7.2-volt battery
packs. Charge the battery
according to the charger
manufacturer's directions.
1. Press the tab in the end of
the battery compartment
door to open. (A)
2. Plug a fully charged 7.2-volt
battery pack into the connector
inside. (B)
3. Twist the battery 2 or 3 times to twirl the battery plug wires. This
helps hold the wire and battery in place when the battery is installed
in the compartment. (C)
4. Install the battery into the compartment and press the wires securely
into place.
5. Snap the battery compartment door back on and lock the end tab. (D)
USING THE EZ-START
Your EZ-Start controller plugs into a 4-prong receptacle on the
battery cover of your Nitro Sport. When the red button on the
controller is pressed, the EZ-Start motor begins to spin the engine
and power from the control unit heats the glow plug. Assuming
all settings and preparations are correct, the engine should start
almost immediately.
Each of the two status indicator LEDs
on the handheld control unit, the Motor
LED and the Glow Plug LED, should light
green while starting. If either LED fails
to light while starting, there is a fault
indicated with that function:
If the Glow Plug LED fails to light, the
glow plug may be bad, or the glow plug
wire may be damaged or disconnected.
If the Motor LED fails to light and the
starter fails to operate, then the EZ-Start
is in protection mode.
Protection Mode
The EZ-Start uses Smart Start
condition of the system and detect failures. The controller
monitors the load being placed on the EZ-Start motor. If the load
becomes excessive, the system shuts off power to the motor
to prevent costly damage to the motor and the controller. This
may occur, for example, if the engine floods with fuel during
starting. The starter spins at first but when excessive fuel in
the combustion chamber begins to lock up the engine, the
starter motor slows under the heavier load. This causes the
protection circuit to shut off the power to the motor. Allow at
C
D
technology to monitor the
™
least three minutes for the starter motor to cool and the circuit to
automatically reset before continuing. Use the time to find and
eliminate the condition that caused the excessive load
on the starter motor.
Use a Strong Starter Battery
A weak starter battery, or one that has not been fully charged,
may not deliver enough power to crank the engine over at the
appropriate rpm to keep the piston from sticking at top dead
center (TDC). A new engine will typically have a tight fit between
the piston and the top of the sleeve. This is a tapered fit, and
a tight piston sleeve fit on initial startup is desirable for those
who want the best-performing engine. Make sure you are using
a good quality battery pack that is fully charged (new batteries
usually require several charge cycles to reach peak voltage and
full capacity). This is especially important with a new engine that
a
needs to be broken in.
B

STARTING THE ENGINE

Installing the air Filter
Remove the protective cap from the carburetor
air intake. Install the rubber air filter base and pre-
lubed foam element onto the carburetor intake.
The foam air filter element may be cleaned and
reused. always be sure the filter element is oiled
properly before running the engine. For the best
filtration, use the type of oil made for foam air
filters. Traxxas air filter oil is recommended (part
#5263). Lightweight motor oil or after-run oil may
also be substituted. When the element gets dirty, clean it with
dish soap and rinse. Next, saturate it with oil and then squeeze
out the excess oil. For extremely dusty conditions, special two
or three-stage, pre-lubed filters are available from Traxxas (part
#4062 and #4063).
Filling the Fuel Tank
Use a small fuel bottle or bulb to put fuel into the tank. Only fill the
tank to the bottom of the fill neck. The Nitro Sport can be carefully
refueled while the engine is running.
Your carburetor has been factory preset for break-in. Do not
re-adjust your carburetor settings unless you suspect a problem.
High-Speed Mixture Setting
The high-speed mixture screw
controls how much fuel enters
the engine during mid and high-
speed operation. Turn the high-
speed mixture screw clockwise,
by hand, until it stops (Do not
tighten or the needle may be
damaged). Now, turn the mixture
screw counterclockwise 2½ complete turns.
Setting the Idle Speed
The idle screw regulates the
throttle opening to control the
idle speed. The throttle opening
at idle should be set as shown
in the drawing. The opening
should be 1 to 1½ millimeters at
the widest point in the opening.
The engine may not idle well until
it is warmed.
low-Speed Mixture Setting
This screw meters the fuel at low speeds. The low-speed mixture
screw is located in the end of the carburetor, inside the throttle
arm. This screw controls how much fuel enters the engine at
idle and low throttle. This adjustment will smooth the idle and
improve acceleration to mid-speed. Make this adjustment with
NOTE:
The following steps are for reference only.
5