Engine Break-In/Setting; Storing Your Car - THUNDER TIGER MTA4 Instruction Manual

ENGINE BREAK-IN
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For a new engine (break-in setting), the high speed needle needs to be set as rich as possible. Turn
the high speed needle 1/4 turn counterclockwise from initial setting (2.5 turns from fully closed). Repeat
step 19b. Keep doing this until the engine stalls at full throttle, then turn the high speed needle 1/4 turn
clockwise. Run the car in an open parking lot with this rich engine setting for at least 5 tanks of fuel to
complete the break-in process. It is normal for a new engine to stall many times during this time due to
the rich setting. When it does, just restart the engine. After break-in, follow the ENGINE SETTING
procedure to set the carburetor for normal operations.
ENGINE SETTING
Due to different fuel formula, operating elevation, humidity . . . etc., the engine may/may not operate
properly at initial setting. Please follow the following procedure to achieve proper carburetor setting. Do
not perform this procedure until the engine has been properly broken in.
a.
Start the engine.
b.
With a running engine, run the car back and foreth in a straight line (full throttle achieved furing
each passage) in an open parking lot. Repeat and note the sound of the exhaust. Do not hold the
throttle open with car off the ground or the engine connecting rod may break.
c.
If the exhaust does not reach a high pitch note, turn the high speed needle (long needle, extending
from carburetor body, pointing up) 1/4 turn clockwise, and repeat step 19b.
d.
Repeat step 19c until the engine reaches optimum setting (turning in the high speed needle will no
longer have an effect at full throttle and turning out the needle will cause the engine's full throttle
rpm to drop a little). For normal operations, turn the high speed needle 1/4 turn counterclockwise
from the optimum setting.
e.
To set the idle, turn the idle screw in (higher rpm) or out (lower rpm). Basically, the idle needs to be
set at the lowest possible point before the engine stalls.
f.
To set the low speed needle (inside the throttle lever), the engine needs to be broken in and high
speed needle needs to be set first.
g.
Repeating step 19b every 10 seconds (1 second full throttle and 10 seconds idle). If the engine
rpm at idle drops after a few seconds and stalls, then turn in the low speed needle (clockwise) 1/4
turn. If the engine rpm stays the same or goes up at idle, then turn out the low speed needle
(counterclockwise) 1/4 turn.
h.
Keep repeating step 19g until the engine rpm drops (goes to idle rpm, then drops a few more rpm
after a few seconds) but does not stall.

STORING YOUR CAR

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To keep your truck in good working condition, there are a few steps that need to be followed:
a.
Remove the fuel from the tank. Both your truck and squeeze bottle should always be stored free of fuel.
•Empty any fuel remaining in your squeeze bottle back into the fuel container.
•Draw the fuel in the fuel tank into the squeeze bottle and squeeze it back into the fuel container.
•Repeat the above step as necessary until the tank is as empty as is possible.
•Make sure to store your fuel container out of the reach of children in a cool, dark location and make
sure that the lid is securely tightened.
b.
Put the glow plug igniter on the glow plug, hold the carburetor all the way open and pull the pull-
start a few times. This will make sure that there is no unused fuel in the engine or fuel lines.
c.
Use after run oil.
•Start out by taking an old toothbrush and cleaning off the dirt around the base of the filter. This
will help to keep grit out of your engine.
•Remove the filter from the carburetor.
•Place 2-6 drops (as recommended by after run oil manufacturer) directly into the carburetor.
•Slowly pull the pull-start cord about 8 inches, 3-5 times.
•Reinstall the air cleaner.
d.
Clean your truck -storing it dirty can lead to a gummy build up and poor performance.
•Use nitro car cleaner, WD-40 or equivalent to clean up the dirt and oil.
•Use an old toothbrush or a small paintbrush to get to the hard to reach areas.
•A damp cloth works well for cleaning the body. Stubborn dirt and oil on the body is best removed
with any diluted organic solvents (Simple Green, etc).
e.
Lubricate the wheel bearings, drive axle joints, clutch bell bearings and suspension pivots using
thin oil.
f.
Verify that BOTH the radio and receiver switches are turned off. It is very disappointing to have
dead batteries next time you want to run your truck.
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