How to fix a Nitro RC pull starter start to finish

[@kingkingg7868]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, and your chilled attitube. I have an Axial .28 1s and it's long discontinued. This gave me some needed motivation to not give up and I got it together. My rc truck has been fighting me for a decade, on and off the shelf. I finally rebuilt it over the last couple weeks, had some smoke puff out, one last pull to start & then my pullstart gave out, with no replacement parts under $160 cnd. B Big save Thanks again!

[@thebug4046]

Hey you are very welcome glad it helps you and yeah the price is people ask for things is absolutely ridiculous these days that's why I tried to fix everything at home and save as much money as I can! If the engine is very hard to turn over you can always loose in the glow plug a little bit to make it easier to start and then tighten it once it's running. 😎

[@kingkingg7868]

@thebug4046 Great idea, I'll give that a try! I also plan to preheat the heck out of my block with a heat gun before my next attempt.. My engine was stored for over 8 years, repeated afterrun once a year but, my after run oil turned to glue. My engine and carb were LOCKED. Heat gun allowed some play but it was sticky. I had to pour a bunch of 70% isopropyl alcohol into the engine, soaked for 5 mins before I could even get it to move. Alcohol evaporated safely with no rust, followed with plenty of after run. (Little tip I read from an old manual and it worked amazing). Carb needed an Ultrasonic iso bath & a few fresh o-rings. All before my pull start broke.. Thanks again, have a good one

[@thebug4046]

@@kingkingg7868 You can use brake cleaner as well to clean out your engine and remove all the varnish just be careful how much oil you put on top of the piston because it will make the engine very difficult to start! Also Traxxas pull starter string is really good if you need replacement. 💯

[@dmrcflyr2]

I applaud your your patience with that spring. I have fixed 2 pull starters in the past, but at the expense of creating many new cuss words. Now the pull starter is the first thing I ditch. I find the electric start back plate is the most cost effective way to have continued trouble free operation of these vehicles. I simply just factor the back plate cost into my purchases now. The starter itself is a one time purchase and well worth the money IMO. My time is too valuable to spend repairing a pull starter that will eventually just break again.

[@thebug4046]

David McIntire I did have a few electric starts but what they wanted for the battery replacement was out-of-this-world expensive so I just said to hell with it and started fixing my pull starters and yes they can be very frustrating and for sure you can create new cuss words I've created many over the years hahaha I got really good at them because of my old job repairing lawn mowers weed eaters and chainsaws and customers would often come in with broken recoil starters so once you fixed one or two you kind of fix them all of that point and you just got really good at them over time a few people asked me why did I just throw this one away and buy another one and the reason being is because these pull starters here are almost $50 each gotta love that extra tax we get on everything piss me off lol I also kind of enjoy fixing them people have called me sick in the head because of that hahaha

[@speedgears1236]

Hi bug 404. I know this is an older video but you just saved me a bunch of stress. I never thought of wrapping the string around a screwdriver to hold it. Thank you.

[@thebug4046]

Hey you're very welcome! glad about you! 🍻🤘🏻

[@nsbob70]

First off, you made that look WAY easier than it really is, so you have to come over and fix mine. @nd, it's called a "Gazinta", 3rd, "Highest level of pisstivity"... I LIKE that! After you've gone through all that, you put it back on the engine and find the one-way took a dump. lol I have a serious love-hate relationship with those damned things. Gonna go and try that right now..Have a Losi 454 with the dual-purpose pull/spinstart unit. OKAY! I did it pretty much the first shot like you did. My two main worries were solved by using the small pliers to get the spring in there after I wound it up, life saver there. Used a small screwdriver to hold the little clip part where it wanted to go so it wouldn't wander as I let the spring relax to the inside of the starter housing. The second big worry I had was whether or not the dopey spring would, as it did on yours, just "fit right in", well, it pretty much did, again, just like yours. Thanks for the inspiration, man. Oh, I have a small, like, mini easy clamp thing I use to not only put on the string for handle installation rather than tie it to the screwdriver. Holds it just fine. I scared the cat this afternoon screaming obscenities when that thing popped on me this afternoon! lol

[@thebug4046]

Hahaha yeah when it goes TWANG!!!! 🤣🤣 also you mentioned you had the losi 454 boy are you in good luck! Because all the Dynamite big red SH 28P3 28PS 28P8 LRP 28 to 32 engines all take the same starter parts! Glad you found the video helpful 🍻🤘🏻😎

[@christianmaldonado3367]

Very nice ! I’ll try it tomorrow on my new used one !

[@brandonpfister]

I really appreciate these videos, Bug. For real, man. I know this is an oldie for you...but it's like you made it today when I watch it. On the FB group, I am real hesitant to ask questions... because I don't want to be that dude who asks the same question that 1000 other people have already asked. Anyway... again. Thank you for all you do.

[@thebug4046]

Hey man no worries at all and yeah I understand where you're coming from it can't be intimidating asking questions you get a lot of smart ass people that leave stupid remarks to which doesn't help the situation

[@brandonpfister]

@thebug 404 Yes. That is just it. I have noticed some people, it seems that they ask questions without a single attempt to gain some insight before asking. So that makes me paranoid, man! Haha! It's like...I don't want to ask something that someone answered a week ago. Or something that I should have tried to figure out on my own first. I was watching more of your stuff today. Some videos I have watched multiple times to familiarize myself enough... and pound things into my head. I have ADHD, so repetition is good for me. You, more than anyone on YT (I think)... really go into things and have done many teardown and rebuild videos. And trouble shooting in real time. Thank you for all you do, man!

[@thebug4046]

@@brandonpfister Hey man I understand where you're coming from and I'm glad that my videos can shed some light on the subject for you it can be a little bit intimidating if you're not used to it and yeah I understand what a slight trying to ask a question and that's been asked a 1000 times before the only stupid question is the one that doesn't get asked is the way I look at it

[@mauricebooker1519]

Great work

[@nitrodude3592]

Thank you for this video! Imma try this next time my pull start breaks. Last time it took me days.

[@thebug4046]

No problem! It's really not hard just takes practice

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

Nicely done. That is the best spring job I've seen. I heard a guy say it took him a whole day to do what you just did in mere minutes. I prefer roto starters. Hey I have a Mint engine just like your red o.s. CV. 's Never run. Looks pretty. Like jewelry. I need an HPI t15 for an EVO 3. hmmm.

[@thebug4046]

Thanks man I do it all the time for a living I fix equipment right so these small pull starters don't take me anytime just a few minutes

[@ronnicolaisen5659]

Farks sakes way easier than the other vids. The commetary and a beer hasnt changed much since then, huh? lol

[@thebug4046]

Hahaha nope! We keep it the same way all the time! 🤣💯🍻

[@carlospl9475]

Well dude 👍 Some folks are just too busy and focused talking bullshit

[@oscardunk754]

I have a cen racing car and find it easier loading the spring in where it go I find it a shortcut but still fixing the pull start

[@thebug4046]

I will try that next thanks for the idea!

[@gurt.yuri3378]

Hey Bug. I'm Yuri, from the post about a roto start for a megatech .16 on FB. Finally found your channel.

[@thebug4046]

Awesome man

[@ashleyhempstead9587]

Thank you my cars going again! I'm liking the lingo too aha

[@thebug4046]

Right on! Haha I'm glad it helped! I have other videos to if you want to check them out about how to rebuild engines and stuff

[@hugocinco2420]

Thank you very much sir

[@thebug4046]

No problem

[@jmontoya1677]

This caused me to start smoking crack lolololol just buy a new one was my thinking!!!!

[@thebug4046]

Hahaha it definitely can be difficult! But when you work with small engines every day you tend to fix a lot! Of broken starters

[@brapak9483]

Just cracked open a beer now time to get wrenching….. YESS

[@alexgarrod9093]

Hi there need bit advice tunning 1/18 engine for my thunder eb4 s2 pro

[@thebug4046]

Go on Facebook and look up the Nitro RC enthusiast I am an Admin in there answer the 3 questions and join post a video because trying to do this over a comment is almost impossible.

[@dylanclark657]

Hey man I’ve watched you video before to fix my first pullstart from factory on a rtr because the spring inside snapped I fixed it once it snapped again bought a replacement one exact model and spring snapped in same exact spot just wonder what to do don’t have the money for starter box was wondering if I could just wind the rope around in the inner part place it on the one way bearing and pull it to start it then grab the one way and pull start once fired up and put the one way and pullstart in my pocket

[@thebug4046]

What engine are you dealing with?

[@dylanclark657]

@@thebug4046 I have the ke21sp from the kyosho inferno neo 3.0

[@thebug4046]

@@dylanclark657 Well after reading what you're saying here with that engine I don't see why it wouldn't work he might just have to get creative and that's part of the whole thing they kind of have a really goofy starter system anyway

[@dylanclark657]

@@thebug4046 alright cool thank you

[@thebug4046]

@@dylanclark657 hope it works for you

[@Thats-just-nasty]

Big thumbs up bud awesome video very helpful 🤝🤘🤘

[@thebug4046]

Thanks man I'm glad it helps!

[@Thats-just-nasty]

thebug 404 ye a little bit I couldn’t get a replacement pro 21r pull start but with a new pull rope and wond back up it will be good as new. Just need to source the rope some where 🤘

[@thebug4046]

@@Thats-just-nasty yeah that's definitely a hard one to find but what I can suggest is just buying the Traxxas pull starter rope it's designed to be pulled a million times anyway hahah I use it and all my stuff and have pretty good luck with it

[@car6on14]

good vid, pull starts seem ok until you need to rebuild them, then its easy to see why starter boxes and belts were used in the past and still should be... the marketing / design team who decided to move to pull starts from them only did it for the profit and should have their hands cut off with one of these springs... as thousands have probably cut their fingers on them...

[@thebug4046]

Every single one of my RC cars is pull start it's how you use the pull starter a lot of people misuse them and breaks it wind up hating it it's very simple iFix pull starters for equipment every single day so it looks really takes me a few minutes to do one for an RC car and plus I'm too cheap to go out and buy all that electric start garbage lol I've had some of the same engines and pull starters for almost 20 years now

[@car6on14]

@@thebug4046 I can appreciate that, I have 4 pull start cars, however it also depends on the quality and design of the frame, starter and engine. 2 of mine are great and older around 10 years, but start without issue, the third is alil trickier, and the latest I just picked up is a tower terror, just finished cleaning the engine, but the frame is a poor design, it does not allow a direct pull on a very tight engine, and to make matter worse my replacement for the broken starter on it has a very low quality string... its been very frustrating.. I also fly airplanes, so I have a starter and would be great if I could get a belt setup on that one. I am thinking I will need to break it in on a bench out of the car and hope it gets easier to pull, not sure what else I can do?

[@rcnitroyelectricosbuenosbo5815]

where can I get the thread to the rope for the pull starter

[@thebug4046]

Any hobby shop or eBay the Traxxas stuff works good

[@hankhamadi3410]

Hi where did I get the wire from??

[@thebug4046]

The starter string? You can get it from traxxas or most online hobby stores

[@hankhamadi3410]

Thanks man👍

[@williamchisholm5776]

I'm hopeless at trying to fix pull starts

[@thebug4046]

Practice makes perfect I fixed them every day in my job what just fixing small engines

[@williamchisholm5776]

@@thebug4046 I am getting better

[@thebug4046]

@@williamchisholm5776 that's good

[@williamchisholm5776]

@@thebug4046 watching your videos has been helping me build them and engines many great tips

[@thebug4046]

@@williamchisholm5776 glad it helps man

[@billtriple6]

Pisstivity hahaha

[@thebug4046]

🤣🤣

[@rodrigorodrigues4347]

I fucking give up, I’m done with this shit!.

[@thebug4046]

🤣🤣🤣 I fix them everyday in equipment! So I'm good at it just like anything else if you know what to do

[@wolfie2387]

Help

[@thebug4046]

With?

[@wolfie2387]

Same issue but I have a sh engine

[@thebug4046]

@@wolfie2387 will be the same process

[@wolfie2387]

I did it Only took me 7 1/2 hours

[@thebug4046]

@@wolfie2387 oh fun. I fix small engines almost every day so I do lots of pull starter lol

[@Portapottypossum]

So I got my spring on but the cord won’t retract when I pull…. How do I fix?

[@thebug4046]

Probably didn't rewind the spring like in the video in Assuming

[@jonasalmgren8408]

is not so easy.Yes for you but not me 5555

[@thebug4046]

I do it every day for work haha but yeah it can be an ass pain for sure