Will It Run? Traxxas T-Maxx First Cold Start After 10 Years!

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In this video we try to revive a Traxxas T-Maxx after it was left sitting for a decade
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#Traxxas #rccar

[@jstitan2972]

37 years old here. RC Is a big hobby of mine. TFL you guys should definitely through in some RC content in-between all the full-scale stuff. I know the viewers will love it!

[@laynesouth1198]

I have the same exact engine

[@joecole2318]

Take care of it while it’s running. Store it right and they’ll always start. I stored my original Tmaxx, LST & LST 2 for 8 1:2 years. I warmed each engine up with a blow dryer. I primed each engine and all three started with in 5 seconds of using the starter. Really just amazing and made my kids smile all day long.

[@NWI_Steel]

Love the rc content keep it coming

[@seandean922]

I'm so glad to see more automotive KZbinrs doing rc stuff making the hobby bigger and more rc classics please

[@Kcducttaper1]

Man, this took me back to my childhood days! I had an E-MAXX ("narrow-maxx") and I drove the crap out of that thing! I upgraded so many thing on that truck including A-arms, skid plates, shock towers, shocks, chassis braces, etc. I loved that truck!!!

[@thecheese6940]

16 year old highschool kid here, picked up my first rc when I was 14 and now I'm working on a friends nitro tmaxx, he picked it up from a yardsale for 20 bucks and Iv'e been trying to get it running, I still need supplies though like that starter wand, the battery for it is completely dead but the piston isn't locked so that's a good sign your video was a big help and I hope to get this thing on the road soon

[@rm1981ut]

The people need TFL RC

[@CJTJBIshorts]

Absolutely!

[@foellerd]

You had me at nitro tmaxx. I have almost the same one, model 4908, extended wheelbase with the electric start 😊

[@Drieeedger]

I have an old TMaxx with the 3.3 motor in it sitting on the shelf that hasnt run since about 2009.. I dont remember whats broken on it, but my kids have been on my case to get it going again sometime. I didnt even remember where to start with it, but this video has given me some ideas and inspiration to get the engine running again instead of trying to convert it to electric. Thanks!

[@txvet7738]

Good Tommy on reviving the glorious ole T-Maxx! Traxxas models are hard to kill. I have a lot of different Traxxas models. I miss my old T-Maxx, I miss the hobby too!

[@anindareza8946]

Just loved the format ornthis video ! Bit of history, info on the car and then some your personal expiremce ! Keep the rc stuff comin !

[@matthewgoins87]

I had this exact same truck when i was in middle school about 15 years ago. Makes me want to get mine out of storage and restore it.

[@jonas852]

love it!!! sure they have some problems but the T-maxx and E-maxx have always had. easy fixes and love this. and its still cool

[@iadubber]

Thanks for bringing back memories! Me and 3 of my friends all had a T Maxx and we had some good times with them!

[@icare7151]

Thank you Tommy. Brings back great memories from back in the day.

[@caseyat88]

Awesome! I had the E-Maxx back in '04-06, that was a blast!

[@chevyriding4646]

TFL one of my favorite KZbin channels busting into one of my favorite hobbies fuck yes bring some RC’s to the channel so much new stuff from when we was kids

[@spcneary]

I choose between the HPI savage and a T-maxx as a teenager. I picked the savage, and enjoyed racing it back then. Awesome video very nostalgic for me.

[@aaronbritt2025]

Bringing my back to the mid-2000's. I road raced RC cars. I had a car that was an HPI nitro car when I bought it, but within 2 years I had replaced literally every single part. I had carbon everything and a Ron Paris tuned Novarossi .12 engine. Did 92 mph on radar. Ended up just giving all of my stuff to a friend when I switched to airplanes. Never got in to the off road stuff.

[@86monte98ponti]

The Fast Lane RC needs to be a channel. Like, yesterday.

[@jeffh7021]

Very cool. I have a savage with a big block. This makes me want to get it running again.

[@Cereal_Killr]

I wish I still had my 3.3 ....man was that thing a ton of fun! ...Trip down memory lane here!

[@FreakyT333]

Definitely pull apart, clean, lube and inspect that steering assembly when you swap that servo, don’t wanna burn up the new one right away. Pretty impressed you got that thing fired without pulling and cleaning the engine/carb etc. makes me want to dig out my old LST2 I threw a nasty little picco engine in before I shelved it long ago. Great idea for some fun new content on this channel Tommy!

[@williambreeze2659]

Glad you were able to get it started 🙌

[@naf2579]

Love it. Was just running my nitro tmaxx the other day. Heat gun next time to preheat before starting and when the piston gets stuck.

[@Spacesprocketz]

SWEET! I recently bought a Traxxas Drag Slash and so I pulled my Tmaxx and RC10Gt from the tote in my garage. I'm going to get them running before the end of the summer.

[@jstitan2972]

TFL RC!!! Yes

[@derekjarembo9709]

Oh my gosh Tommy, I had no idea TFL did rc stuff too, wow! I had the original T-Maxx back in the day and beat the hell out of it. Loved that truck. Keep the great content coming!!

[@EJ-74]

This was my first nitro RC back in 2000 - 2001. I put a 21 size Picco motor on mine and that thing was insane. Sadly it got stolen along with several other awesome RC's. Cool vid, brings back a lot of good memories. ✌🏻

[@JexxVexx]

This gives me so much hope. I have a revo with a 3.3 and a 3.3 jato!! Looking to bring them back alive very soon

[@vivos71]

Glad to see this kind of content added to the mix, would be awesome to see more, especially more nitro

[@user-ph4fr3rn1b]

Just awesome My all original first generation Tmaxx 2.5 & 3.3 both started up in less than 8 seconds after being in storage for 8 years. I mean I stored it right so that definitely helped, but Traxxas did it right back in the day.

[@wally197220]

As an RC hobbiest, I am happy to see RC content on some unconventional channels. Please keep it up along with your regular excellent content!

[@anthonyromano6921]

Think most car guys got there start playing with r/c cars…An probably still play with r/c cars. Both great hobbies.

[@patmanz28]

Too fun. I had one back in the day sold it because everything breaks all the time.

[@blasterr125er]

That idle sounding nice !!

[@michaelgilmore341]

Have a Tmaxx (2.5)older than that which has not ran since early 2006(17 years). I plan to do the same and try and start it this spring. Wish me luck!

[@the_jarmel]

Thanks Tommy 👏👏👏 HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE ✌️

[@JCWWRacing905]

Nice job Tommy. I’ve known a few people in the hobby over the years but I never jumped in. I’ll be watching for some driving 👍 it’ll tear up the ranch

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

I had one of these when they came out. I used to port the motor myself, it would run like a bat out of hell for a couple months and then blow the connecting rod bearing. Traxxas would warranty it every time and send me a new motor, and i would rinse and repeat until i could afford the OS Motor upgrades (i was like 13 so money was tight) lol

[@DB-qm4jx]

hell yea!! keep the Traxxas ..RC stuff coming!

[@scottbecker3563]

Apparently your hobby shop didn’t teach you how to properly maintain and store an RC nitro engine. I work 17 years at my local hobby shop. And I always recommended running the engine & tank dry when you’re done running the truck for the day/week. I would also recommend using After Run Oil, a couple of drops down the cylinder head will do it. WD-40 can create condensation inside the engine. Which will cause the steel parts of the engine to rust bearings, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons and such. Running the engine dry, will allow the moisture from your fuel to evaporate.

[@zackjay71]

Also the wd dissolves oils

[@andyarchitect]

Thanks for bringing back great memories! I used to have the original T-MAXX with the 1.5pro engine but sadly i sold it 10+ years ago. I'm tempted to buy one again... though not so sure I can be bothered with all the faff and mess that comes with a nitro model. There's less time for hobbies now I'm an adult! I'd love to see more videos with it though :D

[@ZingZingNZ]

Get a new one still make em!

[@maxxman1234]

Definitely get back into the hobby but go with a brushless model. Faster, wayyyy more powerful, no fuss with the fuel. I love nitro too but electric is definitely the way to go if you’re coming back.

[@jendrarambharos4379]

Awesome stuff! Maybe TFL RC channel in the works!? I'd subscribe in a second! There's definitely a need for some pro level rc content out there!

[@amazingjason455]

Well done Tommy. Cool video.

[@speedfreeeeek]

Love all 15 of my fully functional running and regilarly used T-MAXX rigs.!

[@hondofourfivetwo9347]

I still have an original Traxxas Revo 2.5 I bought it when they first came out. It was sitting for probably about the same amount of time, but I had no doubts it would run with fresh fuel and a new glow plug & lines. As long as you do the proper after run procedure of clearing out all the fuel and lubing everything with marvel mystery oil etc. Mine did fire up and run no problem unfortunately RX battery wouldn’t hold a charge and the Optidrive that allows the transmission to shift into reverse needed replacing. I was running an aftermarket FM Futaba radio system already but I’m in the slow process of updating all the electronics. Things have come a long way since the early 2000’s 😂. It’s now currently setup with a modern 2.4ghz radio and new battery just need new & better servo’s for everything. If you can find one I ditched that Traxxas EZ-Start long ago for an HPI Roto-start Thunder Tiger and a couple others made the same thing for the T-Max & Revo back in the day you get more starting power and less weight less wiring mess too and your already using an external glow plug igniter just a thought.

[@ntme6506]

Love the video, that's for making great content that is safe for the kids to enjoy.

[@outdoor7432]

One trick with these integrated glow plug leads is don't press them too far onto the glow plug otherwise it will ground out and will not light. Just have the metal portion of the lead touching the top of the glow plug and it will work everytime. And you don't have to blow into the exhaust line just plug the outlet in the tuned pipe with your finger or a rag and it will create the enough back pressure in the fuel tank to prime the fue lines.

[@svpracer98]

Yes!! RC cars are always a win! Would love to see some 4x4 crawling content in the future...

[@torr2028]

Makes me miss my old Ofna Pirate 10 off road buggy. Was also nitro powered. I'm wondering if you are going to have to retune the carburetor after sitting so long.

[@emcg7654]

TFL RC make it happen 🤟 great video, recently revived a old losi nitro buggy

[@alexp6409]

I’ve had an HPI nitro rs4 MT for probably 20 years. I ran it a lot for the first year or two and maybe once every 2-3 years since then. Running the tank dry and putting a drop of Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinder and the carb after running, and making sure the cylinder is free, have helped me get it fired up with a couple tries every time. Honestly it takes less time to get it running and to store it than the electrics, with the special charging and discharging procedures.

[@MichaelMyers-pj2uk]

I remember being a kid and a buddy of mine had one of these. Even though I don’t know much about nitros I really want to buy one just cause of how cool they seem to be

[@Nitrotrician81]

I like this guy. Seems like a nice dude. I get Mr. Rogers vibes. Subscribed!

[@hemplord4841]

I bought that exact rc off Facebook marketplace. Can't get it to run. Don't even know where to start. Good video btw... I guess this is where I started

[@blueblurr4l]

I had a T maxx 2.5 as well. I sold it because it was always breaking and too hard to keep it under control once it hit 2nd gear. I currently have the E Revo and a Summit.

[@ctbryant09]

Dope.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

RC and classic car guy. I think I’ll like your channel.

[@gonewronggarage4565]

After it starts the glow plug actually continues to stay lit and that’s what keeps it going, combustion needed for the glow plug to stay lit and glow plug needed for combustion.

[@turborc9062]

Nice. I always blow through the exhaust line to get my nitros primed. Way quicker than letting the engine try

[@drtracernum20]

I also had a tmaxx I haven't used since 2010. After looking at the state of the truck and seeing the receiver got ruined by an exploded battery I just bought a new truck. It would have cost almost 230 dollars to get it up and going, the new truck comes with tools, the ez start with a battery and charger, extra air cleaner and extra glow plug. And best of all the new tq 2.4 Ghrz radio and receiver.

[@drtracernum20]

It was only 458 dollars for the new kit.

[@zzsuprazz]

Nitro rc trucks are fun. I got a traxxas s-maxx 2.5 nitro in my early 20s. I'm 41, and I still get it out in the summertime. My 8 year old kid thinks it's great.

[@charlespennington444]

traxxas number one.

[@rcguy1087]

Traxxas sells a good product. I just picked up myself a pair of tmaxx trucks to rebuild. The engine more then likely was never truly seized but just gummed up with fuel like the tank. One of the best things to use to free a gummed engine in New nitro fuel and heat from hair dryer. Also change fuel brands from Traxxas top fuel as it has excessive oil content and will foul your plugs quickly and also reduce power and make tunning more difficult. Also the engine as you were describing was originally a trx pro .15 then replaced with the trx 2.5 followed by the trx 2.5R and finally the trx 3.3. The pro15 (0.15ci) and trx 2.5(2.5cc) are nearly the same engine with aome new marketing.

[@jkusrbetter9519]

Had that exact T-Max. Was a blast when it ran. Huge pain when it didn't. I got tired of fighting with it every time I wanted run it. Sold it after about 1 year. Electric is the way to go.

[@NitroNerd309]

The glow plug coil is made of platinum and glows when electricity is applied and will continue to glow once the combustion process happens while the engine runs.

[@andyb9994]

Great video, I just picked up a T-Maxx myself, very similar it's been sitting close to 10 years, I have it apart and cleaning it up now, engine was not stuck, just gummed up, and some bad fuel lines, so gonna tune it up and see if the T Maxx will run for me, I had all the stuff I needed so will be in at $150 as what I paid for it....we'll see if it was worth it...

[@ROBinJVILLE]

im a 1/10th scale rock crawling dude. recently got a 1/24th scale and they pretty fun as well

[@OmarGreeneotraPedroVerde]

You have insprired me to pull out my T-Maxx from mothballs and get it running again and possilbly finish restoring my REVO 3.3!

[@Sethnewell]

This video made me upgrade from a rustler Vxl to a jato 3.3 for the nitro sound

[@PCrailfan3790]

4:58 I had a similar situation here with a revo that was donated to me, the connecting rod was rusted to the crank case, basically welding it together, it sat in wd40 for months. I just bought a new engine.

[@bmxguy73]

Two questions, what did you use to clean out the gas tank? Also when you have the mystery oil in the cylinder head how long did you let it sit before cycling it though and did you take the glow plug out when blowing it all out of the head and the pipe? Thank you

[@GATORADDAM]

Damn. I wanted to see it go.

[@baderalmubarak7517]

I still remember one of the early videos i watched for TFL was for young Tammy playing with one of these …

[@EPE2023]

Here to show support for nitro!!! NitroGang sent me!!

[@kyronrc]

Yes!! Love nitro cars

[@chasebeatty9539]

T-Maxx was a fun RC truck. Sadly didn’t get into the hobby that much cause the fuel at the time was really expensive.

[@MultiPurposeReviewer]

Funny you mention the electric kids missing out; I'm looking at getting a Traxxas RC car, and all the things I'm seeing here are the same things that make me want to get an electric one. Simpler, fewer extra things needed (which means less additional cost), no exhaust, and quieter. Given that I have to do maintenance and upkeep on my real car, I'd rather just be able to plug my toy car in and go. That said, I'm looking forward to more of these videos. I know a lot of people live for the internal combustion experience. More power to them. That's more effort than I'd want to put into just scooting a car around for fun.

[@jeep2003]

Nice my savage has been sitting atleast that long the local hobby shop closed up and I couldnt get nitro anymore. Thats ok it saved me alot of money! I probably spent more keeping that thing running than to revive my 911

[@hpoints187]

Idle screw and carb replacement might have also had jelly on the crank that had to burn off

[@jasonpaiva4793]

Sweet, I miss running the rc buggy. Tommy try (Kroil) peneatrating oil.

[@deeplycon638]

Tommy my first rc was a 3.3

[@jimmypham2487]

That’s cool

[@chevyriding4646]

I like the front tires they look like the Arrma dboots backflip tires

[@R.Nelson]

Awesome!! ..but can you get a decent battery powered one for $100 these days?.. never had a gas powered RC.. looks Awesome!! thanks Tommy

[@jessierichelhoff9300]

You should do a hpi savage 21, 25 video they were t maxx's biggest competition.

[@travisyork3915]

I have that truck laying around too w 3.3 too lol 😆

[@joshuadulaney5559]

❤ getn mine fired uo

[@funnya656]

To get fuel into the carb put your finger over the exhaust while cranking it.

[@Accounts-bq5is]

You don’t have to blow into the fuel line to get fuel to the carburetor what you can do is cover the exhaust tip and crank the engine that will get the fuel to start flowing into the engine

[@suchenderw9890]

what is the thing to start a new nitro truck?

[@Matthew_Does_To_Many_Things]

I have a Traxxas nitro slash same 3.3 motor but it’s in the nitro slash/rustler platform and 2wd. My neighbor has electric rcs and I wanted something different. And I also wanted a real engine that actually has a soul and not no lifeless electric motor. I loved that aspect of tuning and maintaining a nitro. I’m 13 and bought my nitro slash. Don’t regret a thing! It’s fun when you know what you’re doing. If you need air filters and servos and whatnot I recommend checking out Jenny’s RC (website) where they have significantly cheaper prices. Won’t hurt the wallet as much. Also nitro engines (Glow engines) are not like diesel engines. You need to have a glow igniter just to start it because the Filament on the glow plug reacts to the fuel to keep it lit as it’s running. Not like a diesel compression engine. It’s basically a 2 stroke with a chemical in the fuel that keeps the glow plug lit. Anywho keep up nitro content!

[@verdammtesarschlochs6148]

mine did the almost start thin just no start for ages.

[@Seth_5569]

Next time u need to prime the fuel system just use your finger to block the exhaust pipe exit. It will pressurize the line without u having to take the line off and blow through it

[@slimfrank86]

You probably won't see this comment, but a hair drier to preheat your engine would have resolved your "seized" motor. Makes it way easier to start. Also holding your finger on exhaust tip will prime your fuel system while turning over (starting) your engine, allowing fuel to transfer from tank to carb.

[@davelowets]

Fresh, new, R/C Nitro fuel actually makes one of the best lubricants to unfreeze an engine that has sat in storage for a long time and is stuck. Also, if an engine is completely stuck and you are going to use a screwdriver to wedge against, and rotate the flywheel, rotate the engine in the opposite direction as it normally runs. If the engine has a pull-start on it, you will have to remove it in order to let the engine rotate backwards. By turning the engine in the opposite direction, if there is a rust ring or died up "crud" ring in the cylinder where the top of the piston was, you won't be driving the piston through it and destroying it, if you turn the engine backwards. The piston will move away from the restriction instead. If you feel the engine stop dead again before it makes a full 360° revolution, don't just reef through it, stop and pull the head off and check the bore for whatever is jamming it. These engines dont have any piston rings to rely on to hold compression in the cylinder. The only thing that seals the piston in the bore is the sides of the piston itself, and a VERY close tolerance from the factory. Even the tinyest scratch in the cylinder wall or on the piston can allow the compression to escape, and render the engine useless. So, one needs to be VERY careful when trying to resurrect an old nitro engine that has been sitting for a long time and is stuck. Take your time, use plenty of oil in the bore to keep flushing junk out, don't force things hard, and you'll be successful.

[@cracklova3299]

Really interested when the traxxas badlands got installed, those definitely can’t be a decade old.

[@Cache2Fast]

Do you know how to tell what year my T maxx is? I don’t know how

[@eig8t_twitch]

finger over the exhaust was the trick you wanted to prime engine

[@michaelinzitari]

Wow, for a non nitro guy you sure know your stuff!