How to Troubleshoot the Traxxas T-Maxx Nitro

Truck Doesn't Drive Properly

• 1

  Access the servo's plastic encasement by loosening the four screws. Pull off the top of the servo case and assess the gears inside. If any gear is damaged (for example, if the teeth are stripped) replace the entire set of gears with Traxxas spare partÉ0 (servo gear set).

• 2

  Access the transmission by removing the two screws that secure the housing panel. Assess the spur gear for damaged teeth; if you find damage, loosen the three mount screws, then slide off the gear from the driveshaft. Install the replacement spur gear, securing it with the three mounting screws. Leave the spur gear loose enough to move, then squeeze a sheet of paper between the teeth of the pinion and the spur gear. Hold them in position then tighten the mounting screws to ensure optimum mesh between the gear teeth.

• 3

  Loosen the body-post mounting screws. Check that the tires are not hitting the mounted body shell. If they do, raise the body posts to grant more space between the body shell and the tires. If this doesn't solve the problem, use the razor blade to cut away the excess plastic that hinders functionality.

Engine Won't Start

• 4

  Roll the flywheel counterclockwise (relative to the front of the engine). Slide a flat-head screwdriver inside the flywheel's groove, then spin the flywheel counterclockwise until it moves freely. This process is intended to release the engine's piston from top dead center.

• 5

  Unscrew the glow plug using a 5/16 nut driver, then flip the model upside down to allow excess fuel to drip out of the engine. Disconnect the blue glow-plug wire before connecting the EZ-Start. Press the starter button and hold it for several seconds while the extra nitro is expelled from the engine's combustion chamber. Detach a wire from the EZ-Start motor, then link the blue glow-plug wire and screw a new glow-plug back into the engine. Hold down the EZ-Start button to heat the glow plug, igniting any leftover nitro. Flip the vehicle back onto its tires, then re-establish a connection with the EZ-Start's motor wire.

• 6

  Assess the EZ-Starter's control box, and check for the status LED to illuminate green.

Poor Engine Performance, Stalling or Overheating

• 7

  Use a screwdriver to tighten the high-speed needle (which looks like a stack of metal cylinders extending from the carburetor) until it is completely closed, then rotate it counterclockwise four turns to return it to the factory setting.

• 8

  Tighten the low-speed needle until it is flat with the side of the engine's slide valve. If the engine starts with this setting, follow the break-in procedure to adjust for optimum performance.

• 9

  Peer into the carburetor and assess the gap inside the slide valve. Turn the idle-stop screw to establish a gap measuring between 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm; this is the factory default setting.

• 10

  Start the engine as normal. Make necessary adjustments to improve vehicle performance because factory settings are not ideal for driving.