Starting Nitro Engines | Starter Box or Pull Start?

[@TheRCBiker]

After lots (and I mean LOTS) of comments regarding how awful pull starts are, I thought I'd share my opinion on them!

[@richcarrier1947]

I had a pull start on my Rex x for about 15 years still haven’t broken

[@danieldelahaye8502]

I'm agree with you, 10 years with pullstart, I even tried a starter box but went backto pullstart. One thing you missed is that for a racer, you seems to get more power without pullstart (less things rotating I suppose). But pullstart is far the best IMO.

[@williamoleary9330]

Geez, your literally growing up on youtube...lol My son & I watched your video on tuning the low speed needle & dang you were a kid Great video, we appreciate them

[@eddyrejserbil4229]

I don't want to be a traxxas fanboy or anything but I kinda like the ez-start because it's quite handy, not having to get your hand into the body everytime you need to start your nitro.

[@TheRCBiker]

Yes the EZ Start is good :)

[@ian3166]

As someone looking at a Losi 8 T to bash as a first nitro car, seeing a video giving praise to pull starts is assuring. You specifically talking about how it benefits bashers has me throwing out the starter box from my list of upgrades. (Also power wise, I can get a better pipe if I feel down on power. Which is less than half a start box plus all the stuff needed for it price wise.)

[@S.carr.c]

losi 8ight is one of the best nitro rcs out there. I had one rtr and over 5 kit cars and you can‘t break them

[@NitroRG1]

Totally agree I’ve got the original Paul start on the hyper 7 Had no problems with it the car runs fine as you would see on my channel👍

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@hallsyuk4654]

I agree with you I’m not even close to knowing as much about these things as you but I totally get what you mean when you say you feel the pull start and what it’s doing I do get that. Plus I’m just the same I take mine out to have fun and bash it and sometimes have to walk about with it so why take more stuff than needed.

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@jeremywilliamsrc8797]

Great video brother. I’ve had mostly pullstart engines and I’ve never had an issue. I now have a buggy, a truggy, and a losi lst monster truck with some backplate engines I’m wanting to put in the buggy and truggy, but either way in 15 years or so I’ve broken one pullstart and never had an issue otherwise. It’s all about the tune and if it’s not starting, your either flooded, you’re glow igniter is dead or weak, or the tune is way off.

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@stefankortstee]

Totally agree with you. Is it possible to replace a start box system to a pull start on my nitro car?

[@downunderdan5132]

Horses for courses. I’m a basher too and can’t beat pull start for feel and portability. No reason a car shouldn’t start easily with a pull start. If it doesn’t, seal engine and get the tune right. Roto/drill starters are interesting but not available for all engines and as you say, pull starters connect you to the motor and you can feel what it needs 😎🇦🇺 love the content keep it up!

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@richardgonzalez7567]

Hi Mr, yes i totally agree with you about the pull starters, they are very practical for when you go bashing your rc car. But I had an issue with mine that pissed me off a little bit excuse my French. I have the EB4 S2, a great car but over time running it I noticed that the heat from the exhaust would make a hole in the top of the pull starter casimg as It was made of plastic. So it was then when I decided to buy a starter box. But you are right when you go for a bash it's very inconvenient and heavy 🤦🏽‍♂️ The solution is to make pull starter casings from alliminun. 🙋🏽‍♂️ Cheers Mr Richi islas canarias 🌴🐾🐾🐾🌵

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for your comments :) I do believe HSP did create an aluminium pull start housing upgrade, not sure why other manufacturers didn't take it on

[@neil4322]

Always a pullstart, bought a second hand buggy with drillstart and removed it straight away. Like you said you have a physical connection to the engine and can feel what is going on.

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@birchwoodracing]

Love this video as I race a pull start buggy but have just bought a starter box as a couple of times when the motor has cut during racing one of the marshalls has broken the pull start trying to start the engine due to heavy handedness. I am a fan of both, personally I find it easier to start a cold engine with a starter box but a warm start is just as easy with a pull start just add the glow stick and pull. Bliss.....

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@danielwood4590]

I can see the argument for sealed backplate engine having slightly more power and revs but I agree with what you say about being able to feel what the engine is doing and carrying everything to your bash site(fuel,tools,car,transmitter).I suppose it's individual preference

[@TheRCBiker]

That's true : )

[@jayhow997]

Agreed ,I've seen people screaming because the foam wheel on their starter box just grooved out and won't touch the flywheel. In 20 years I've broke 3 pull starts completely my fault pulled out to far and wouldn't retract one fell apart when striping an engine my fault for not looking what I was doing and one snapped because it was 12 years old . My superten fw04 I bought in 2002 still has original engine with original pull start .

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@TechnologyGuy223]

I’ve had quite a few pull starter cords melt because of how close they are to the exhaust manifold - might even bend down and touch once the body is on and I’m giving it some. Starter box 100% for me 👍

[@TheRCBiker]

Good point!

[@James-T-RC]

Wow you’re still around after all these years mate! Great to see

[@TheRCBiker]

Yes I am!

[@2259alfie]

Great video but no one sells a factory hand tune high performance pull start engines ?

[@kevinj5293]

Well said josh I love a pull start sometimes it can be a pain starting but that's part of the fun waiting to hear that engine fire. And like you said you can feel the engine and when it's going to start. When I go for a little bash i take a couple of glow starters fuel and a few tools in a little bag.👍

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@guinnessdublin4669]

Totally agree with starter boxes are only good for race day set ups like you say when in one static place, I have used rota start pretty much from beginning & disagree slightly that you can feel/tell using a roto start what engine is doing, I think people just keep turning engine in vain hoping it will start & not paying attention but that perhaps comes with experience! 👍🏻

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@SliverRc]

Im going pull start, from traxxas ez-start. I understand the feel talk.

[@Stoshua.81]

Pull starts are nice when they work but I've had so many problems with one way bearings even buying brand new one way bearings shafts back plates they never lasted and these were on well tuned os engines I use a start box now but maybe ill try a pull start again, one thing id never use again is drill start though way to hard on the internals

[@TheRCBiker]

Starter box is harsher to the internals than a drill start, surely?

[@KayezTP]

Iv been using drill starter. Only because I was struggling to come across some good quality pull starters for my buggy. Other wise I’d be doing pull starters for the exact reasons you mentioned.

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@williamoleary9330]

Was a video ever made of how to properly start a pull start? Someone asked about it in the comments and that’s a great idea. Seeing how you’ve had so much success with them. What are thoughts on Kevin T’s videos?

[@davidchou3060]

Thanks the great videos! Just got into Nitro blind(I said I wouldn't 😝) I watched your content and they've helped validate the decision. Love wrenching. Just subscribed🤙 MC and RC love! Motorcycles are the top passion, just easier to get vids on the RCs.

[@TheRCBiker]

Glad I could help!

[@cossie118bmk]

well said josh ..... i have 22 nitro 20 with pull start ....... so easy to pull the cord

[@TheRCBiker]

My thoughts too!

[@birminghamgtrc]

Nice video bruv. I'm looking to buy my first nitro buggy. Wanted to ask could you do a video or in one of your next video do clip on your technique on best way to start a nitro pull start well the way you think work well. I agree that pull start give you better feel of the engine. 💯👌🏾

[@TheRCBiker]

Good idea :) thanks for watching :)

[@AlexanderJuholaJones]

I'm a basher, I had constant problems with the pull start on my SH.18 so I switched to drill start and haven't had a problem for 7 years. I guess it's all about preference.

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@chrisstephens6194]

Had a few problems with larger engines ( sh21 in my nanda nrb). I think the higher compression makes it easier to break them. Got a 1/10th rally car with a .18 engine and it starts easily and you can feel what is going on with the engine..

[@TheRCBiker]

Higher compression engines yes will more likely snap the cord :)

[@chick262]

Hi I'm a newbie 40 year old, I had a fasttrax and a jet hopper by Nikon back in the day , I'm taking the plundge this year with an rc car ,looking at electric vs nitro, I love the sound of the nitro which car is the most reliable people love to here some advice please and thanks

[@TheRCBiker]

I think you already found it on my other videos, Hyper 7 is a great car

[@thetoddperspective]

I agree that the pull start/starter box discussion is just a basher/racer discussion. I race 1/8 buggy (hyper 7 btw) and the engines I run require the use of a starter box. Once you know how to start a nitro engine, you can start it just as easily with a pull starter as with a box. One comment on your "more to go wrong" with the starter box argument, broken strings aren't the only issue with pull starters. For all the rc sessions ruined by a starter box failure, there is another ruined by a one way bearing that won't catch.

[@TheRCBiker]

Good points :)

[@adamspitfire]

Pullstart. Because I had a truggy with a boxtart and it just never started.

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@roberttruesdell6151]

You been lucky. Every pull start I owned broke. Once broke removed and went on the box. So much easier.

[@mikaelottosson175]

Hello im thinking about getinge in to nitro cars im one a traxxas rustler vxl whice nitro car do you recomnend for my skill level

[@Ratchet_effect]

Josh this might sound daft, but it works for me with Fishing & Multi RC's (Mostly 4-to-8) 1/8-1/10 on the day, for carrying them all a' Motorised electric wheel barrow. ¯\__⊙ As for the starting, I use Pull-start. taking spares 1-way bearings/pull start, light tools, is easier IMO. I had 1 Electric Kyosho MFR but that's now Pull-start, electric motor burned out.

[@TheRCBiker]

Haha, I'll check out the wheelbarrow. but will it fit in the car ? :D

[@Ratchet_effect]

Yeah! boot is a tight fit, but back seat easy! look for the folding option, mines old, old style now. But you should be able to get one, the handles come of to with them bolt/plastic hand nuts undone. Failing that a folding hand cart is also a good option, if your tight on car space. 👍

[@Ratchet_effect]

I forgot to add my to my first comment! my Kyosho MFR was Electric start but the brushed motor burnt out, so I bought a pull-start conversion kit from Kyosho on Amazon. All other Nitro i have are Pull-start, I had bad times with battery's. 👍

[@markscotchford4159]

To be fair though Josh you seem so in tune with nitro engines that if you did have another pull start fail, you could probably start it by the power of osmosis. You could be doing that anyway.

[@TheRCBiker]

Haha

[@foxyjay1]

I completely agree the only people who moan about pull starts are the ones who are not using them properly simple as that

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@ZingZingNZ]

Hope you still enjoy this hobby

[@jamarcus_OG]

Pull start is absolutely OK for bashers and RTR, but I have two race engines, a Sirio and a DiMonaco, both are suited for kit buggies so there's literally no predisposition for a pullstart. Also boxstarters are quicker to start an engine in my opinion . But yes, this applies if you run to a local racetrack, if you're just bashing and having fun, there is absolutely no need for a €70+ starter box

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@jamarcus_OG]

@@TheRCBiker as always mate! Keep up 👍👍

[@shaun3756]

Do you know what glow plug a 1/8 force 25 engine take please.

[@TheRCBiker]

Depends what fuel percentage you're running medium plug should do it fine

[@Bigfoot0510]

I prefer pull starts for the same reason as you. Starter box is heavy and doesn't really fit in a bag. Same with a drill. Takes up a lot of room in a backpack. However, I bought a starter box as I kept having issues with one way bearings failing and pullstarts snapping and rotor starts not being fast enough for certain engines. I thought the starter box would be the answer to all my issues. I found the opposite. The starter box wheel didn't come anywhere close to reaching any of my flywheels. Waste of my money and changed everything back to pullstart.

[@TheRCBiker]

For some chassis you have to enlarge the hole in the chassis for the starter box wheel, it's pretty common

[@jakobskaar6868]

I have a Traxxas with ez-start (Starterbox) and it works, but I assume the ez-start will brake much faster than a pullstarter.

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@Lparfait88]

Just discovered your channel. Great vids and clear information. I recently purchased a hobao hyper vs with the 30 turbo engine. I have ran in the engine at idle with 3 full tanks, taken it out a handful of times and gone through 2 pull starts as they keep melting and breaking off. I'm running the engine rich srill so temps should be low. Any help would be appreciated about resolving the issue

[@TheRCBiker]

Hi there, good choice of car. They do have a bit of a design flaw with the positioning of the pull start & manifold. I haven't really found a solution, but you could look at fitting a drill starter backplate & use a drill to start rather than the pull start. Or a starter box is another option. If you contact wherever you bought it from I'm sure you'll get a replacement starter for now :)

[@TheSilly76]

How many owb have you been through over the years?. Its always the first thing to fail on my crap hpi trophy engine, its never been a good reliable starting engine but it may be just me. Too much compression to me for a small nitro engine?

[@TheRCBiker]

Not many but I don't use each car that often

[@simonshears9807]

Hello could u help me please with a basic tuning on my hobao hyper

[@TheRCBiker]

Loads of videos on my channel : )

[@LawrenceTimme]

Couldn't agree more!

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@tommyhedge725]

Good points made here 👍🏻

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@nitrogas5719]

Starter box for me, engine is mounted to low in the chassis for a pull start and the pull starts rob power

[@TheRCBiker]

Thanks for watching :)

[@robshiel4868]

A demonstration would have been nice

[@simonforrest9038]

MY NITRO ENGINE HAS SEIZED CAN IT BE SAVED?

[@nitrogas5719]

Simon Forrest depends how it seized, is it not seized and just a tight pinch at top dead center, if so, heat the engine block up to 220 degrees and then see, if it’s stuck from storing it for too long, take the glow plug out, put some transmission fluid and try to turn it over, heat helps too. If it seized from running lean, then you have screwed your self.

[@RickysRc]

Would you like to help me get my hpi nitro bullet back from death please.

[@TheRCBiker]

What's wrong with it?

[@RickysRc]

@@TheRCBiker well , it hasnt been started for around 4 years and is missing some parts, my eyes are what they used to be so I am looking to buy whatever parts are needed and your time if interested, would make a good video , thanks Richard.

[@minecentral5381]

I remember when I snapped the pull start on my car and I had to take the whole engine off

[@michaelinzitari]

If you are walking a mile from the car to the bash spot you need an e-bike,.... and a starter box

[@Jammoko]

Aghhhh, I wanted to know how to use a box starter, drill start or rip cord sarter... this vid did not show tha! Ten minutes to say I use a pull cord! Hmmmm....

[@TheRCBiker]

Does the title say "how to use a starter box" ?

[@keithrx3c]

Ever heard of a backpack?

[@TheRCBiker]

thanks for watching :)

[@zesprixx]

A huge disadvantage to pull starts is the performance loss. An engine with a backplate doesn't have all that stuff connected to the crankshaft that pullstarts have

[@TheRCBiker]

But the majority of people that insist on using starter boxes just leave the pull start housing in place. Very few swap out the back plate and remove the starter shaft , unless it's a race spec engine but that's likely going to use a starter box in the first place

[@davidmatthews6302]

Ez start is easy

[@josephallen1164]

I can't find anyone tune my car I live in London.

[@TheRCBiker]

Tune it yourself then :)

[@danielkmit4145]

One way bearing is the real problem how many of them have you been through don’t tell me one

[@bigdave6002]

Pull start all the way👍🏻

[@TheRCBiker]

Agreed

[@luisrosario846]

Fool start

[@TheRCBiker]

Fool start ?

[@nitrogas5719]

@@TheRCBiker 🤣