Nitro 4-Tec 3.3
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37
Maintaining and Storing Your Nitro 4-Tec 3.3
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 22 for air filter maintenance instructions.
10. Replace the glow plug, reconnect the glow plug power wire, and
reinstall the air filter.
Clearing a Flooded Engine
If the engine is primed for too long during startup, then it can become
flooded with fuel. When the engine is flooded it will no longer turn due to
excess fuel in the combustion chamber preventing upward movement of
the piston. Use the following procedure to clear a flooded engine:
1. Remove the blue glow plug wire.
2. Remove the glow plug and gasket with the glow plug wrench supplied
with your model. A 5/16 or 8mm nut driver will also work.
3. Turn the model upside down and plug in the EZ-Start controller.
4. Push the EZ-Start button for several seconds to clear the engine
of excess fuel. Do not look into the glow plug hole while the
engine is spinning or you could spray fuel into your face!
5. Turn the model over and reinstall the glow plug and gasket.
6. Reconnect the blue glow plug wire to the glow plug.
7. Reconnect the EZ-Start controller.
8. Do not prime the engine. Pull the throttle to 1/2 throttle and push the
EZ-Start button. The engine should start immediately.
Piston stuck at “top dead center” (TDC)
“Top dead center” is the position where the piston is
at the very top of the tapered sleeve. Occasionally an
engine can get “stuck” at this position. This is most
likely to happen on new engines during break-in, but
can also happen at other times. If the engine is stuck
at TDC, use the following procedure to release the
piston from the sleeve:
1. Remove the glow plug using the included tool or
8mm (5/16") nut driver and verify that the piston
is at the top of its stroke.
2. Turn the Nitro 4-Tec over and locate the flywheel
through the cutout in the chassis. Insert a flat blade
screwdriver as shown between the chassis and
flywheel. Using the chassis for leverage, rotate the
flywheel counterclockwise by pressing down on
the screwdriver. The flywheel will turn, unsticking
the piston from the sleeve.
3. Put two or three drops of light machine oil into
the glow plug hole to lubricate the piston and
sleeve. Do not use too much oil. It will hydro-lock
the engine. Verify the starter will spin the engine
with the glow plug out.
4. Rotate the flywheel so the piston is at bottom
dead center and replace the glow plug with gasket.
Reconnect the blue glow plug wire.
5. You should now be able to start the engine with the EZ-Start.
Denatured alcohol
(available from home
centers and paint supply
stores) in a spray bottle is
an extremely effective
cleaner. Be sure to wear
safety glasses and gloves
when working with
denatured alcohol.
Be sure to follow proper
maintenance and storage
procedures to avoid
damage to your engine
and other components of
your Nitro 4-Tec.
Don’t put the fuel from
your tank back into your
fuel jug. Dispose of it
properly, following city or
county regulations.
Always wear eye
protection when using
compressed air or spray
cleaners and lubricants.
Top Dead Center
Bottom Dead Center