I'm glad you figured out the LOW SPEED NEEDLE is always the main issue, in fact on most of my own traxxas nitros I also have to turn it about 1 full turn out from factory, could be the high nitro content fuel we are running btw.. Next item, the 2.5 model uses COGS inside the trans that engage and jerk the wheels as you saw when your idle is too high, the 3.3 model uses a totally diff style of trans, you will see, no jerking on the 3.3 model at all..

Its been years since I've messed with the T-maxx 2.5 my dad bought for me, and i remember it doing this to me a couple of times. One of those times that my tmaxx idled high i placed it one the ground and it took off immediately and smashed right into a curb. Had to replace the cracked bulkhead smh. I miss it a lot these days especially watching old videos I used to enjoy it brings back great memories with my dad.❤

Watching right now, and preparing all my Notes! lol..

I hope you found out the table stand top and as binding on the rear wheel closer to our viewing Earl it was painful to watch as the idle needle was working you could hear slightly in pitch but the wheel wasn’t moving as stuck against the stand top 😟🫣 those wheels are too big to clear without caution 🥺✔️ I wish this was as clear live as it was for us to watch once you posted it ⬆️ I guess a whole new stand is in order for this bad boy Earl Nice of you to share ⚡️🇬🇧💥

Turn only high speed at first. ones the engine is up to run temp. do the low speed pinch test to adjust your low speed 3 to 5 sec is ideal. Idle gap is usually a 1mm gap. Good luck Earl ❤ the Tmaxx 💯🙏

I am glad you figured it out. I will give couple advices. First when tuning remove air filter so you can see the gap, and set idle gap between 0.7 and 1mm. Tuning without seeing an idle gap is nearly impossible, just like you expirience in the first half of the video. Then roughly set high speed, I would say 4 turns for 20 percent and between 4.5 and 5 for 30 percent nitro. Then adjust low speed needle so it idles nice. Than pinch the fuel line to make sure the idle starts to raise before it dies, if it dies before raises the idle first, like in first half of the video than it's lean. Adjusting high speed needle is pointless without driving, yes, adjusting high speed changes the amount of fuel at idle and low speed affects fuel delivery at throttle, but not by much. At the end of the video I think you dialed at in nicely at idle but can't say for high speed since you have to drive it. I would say low speed is not lean right now, but it's on the edge, I would say richen it by 1/8 of the turn, just to play it safe, and check idle gap also

BTW these motors run much better after like 6 tanks of fuel, also best to drive it around some at under 50% throttle tank 3&4 to get some air flow over the motor..

First thing always. Before running Take air filter off. Check idle gap. Check throttle linkage for fluid movement and proper movement. This is why you’re having problems. First you need the mechanical aspect working properly. Then you can start to run it.

Looks like you had your hands full on this one. 💥

Great job man!. Not only you got through it but you passed on great advice. I can’t wait to see you’re reaction once that thing reaches optimum performance. 👍

I had to watch this video again 😂. You did really good getting that running like it was al the end on the vid. My LHS guy would have gotten that brought to him for that mess, he's a expert on nitro.

Can’t wait to a vid , I had the same problem with my savage last weekend, chasing a tune is the most frustrating thing , I had to readjust all the linkage , the slide carb was sticking on mine 🤙🤙🤙

On my 2.5 after tuning it.. I was over it and just put it back away on the shelf. I was over it by then.

Hell yeah. Nitro coming back. Missed nitro

Can’t wait for his first run now you’ve got him under control Earl 🫡 I like the Blue fuel too🔥 looks special, Wicked Earl🔥

Adjust the high speed screw first and then the low speed. Richen the low speed until it runs and slowly turn low speed in 1/8" turns until the idle speed increases and back off the idle screw a little each time. Your idle is way way to high!

10th ....lol I've just no place to run a nitro that won't get the police called on me for noise dustubance..gonna be fun to see this rip!

My rustler was super duper lean like that from out of the box. Someone in China was thinking they were gonna kill someone's engine for them.

Earl great vid showing how to tune a nitro never owned one but it looks like ablast keep up the good work and love the content you and rc guy are my go to channel loved yesterday morning vid with the duck tape zipi ties and 5 bucks have agreat day 👌👌👍👍😎😎

Nitro guys around here like to run a gallon of fuel during break-in before going full throttle. Looks like you’re tune is getting closer. Maybe a little 1/2 throttle ripping on the next video. 💪👍

Dang...that's some patience there! I would have been frazzled I think (: lol sounds awesome boss!😎👍

very nice. you showed the worst case scenario by accident. plus I guess we all get to learn together. I am working on an old .21 savage right now..cleaned the chassis. replaced bent chassis plates. tonight.. tomorrow I'll break down the engine and clean it out. and hope it runs after. I've never done this before. but it is fun. let's make Nitro Great again. 👍

Here we go with another great vid👍

great video Earl hopefully one day I'll get to try out a gas powered RC👍👊🔥

Great content. Keep up the good work

Sick 🔥🔥🔥 I've heard, like others are saying in the comments. That these motors get alot easier to to and run alot better after 3-6 tanks ..... Good job 👌. Great video again sir 💯

thanks earl learn alot keep the videos comming

First, do not run Traxxas fuel! Second you need to check your temperature at the glow plug. The jerking is a common problem with the Classic two speed with reverse. The clogging can be prevented by going to the forward only conversion. And last I always break my nitro’s in with 20% and after I have run about 8 to 10 tanks switch to 30% and a few minor adjustments and your good to rip wide open.

I had same problem with mine, i threw the carb away after i stripped it for parts and order a new Traxxas carb worked perfect after

Testament how good that motor is ! It’s so lean

I just bought the t maxx 2.5 this week I did all the break in cycles per the manual. After I finished my last cycle while still at operating temp I tried to adjust the needles to lower idle and get rid of the jerking. I have it somewhat close but still not right, I still get the wheels jerking its not as bad as before. I'm running the traxxas 20%. I've researched until I'm to the point of giving up, all I really found was buy the forward only conversion or buy a new carb to that's just the nature of the tmaxx transmission. After watching this video I have some faith it can be adjusted out. Thanks for the video my Saturday just got booked.lol

As waiting for it to take off the table and just go flying!!

Mr Details I loved my nitros but I hated tuning them it took longer than running them. So I gave them up. But the smoke and sound was the best.

I don't know to be more impressed with the patience or the tuning 👍. I don't throw things but that woulda got a good cursing off camera 😆

That sound brings back memories, it looks exactly like mine from 20 years ago except the wheels, I also had a nitro savage and nitro traxxas 4 tec

Hopefully the 3.3 will be easier to break in for ya. The 2.5 definitely wasn't set up very well coming out of the factory so I hope your 3.3 is. Give Traxxas a call if you have more problems, they're usually pretty easy to get ahold of.

Yeah, if I needed another reminder, why I don't do Nitro, this video would be it. Still enjoy watching them though. Just not banging my head against a wall fiddling with the engine.

Reciever hump packs are a waste of money. I use 2 cell 2700 mah 15c Lipos. They give your servos more power, last longer, and are cheaper. Your idle is high because your high-end needle is way too lean. Never adjust the mid or low-end needle until it's up to temp and the high-end needle is adjusted. When you adjust the mid or low-end needle you need to do the opposite with the high-end needle to compensate for fuel or air. The fuel line pinch test is always the easiest way to adjust the low-end needle. Should kill the engine in 1 to 1.5 seconds when pinched Good luck, most of all just have fun no matter the outcome.

Thanks for the video!

Makes me miss mine! I really want it back now!

hey Earl, I had the same issue but it i figure it out. Thank you for the video.

😯 My face as you are tuning, lol ! I do love nitro rc's , just seem harder to work on than an electric . But I am learning from watching your videos .

The Traxxas 2.5 engine is a tricky motor and probably should be broken in with lower % fuel. It should be blowing smoke so low speed needle must of been turned in to much. Glad you got figured out.

Love nitro and gas RC vehicles! tuning nitros at first is a bit of work but in the end its great. One thing I do is make it that the throttle servo holds idle at 0 trim. then I lower the trim on the controller to close the carb to kill the engine as opposed to pinching the fuel line or I just block the exhaust to stall it (fail safe set to close the carb aswell). I personally don't like pinching the fuel line as it leans it out. but to each their own. =0)

Breaking them in is the worst part after you tune they are fun and easy! I never liked that traxxas fuel though.

Can't wait for the limitless giveaway!! Earl why haven't I got any hearts for a while? Love the nitro!!

Nitro is a fun game when they work right, and it’s all about getting there lol. I’m not sure what your altitude is, so I can’t say exactly how it’s running, but I’d check you glow plug first and make sure it’s got a nice bright orange-red glow, then I’d check compression if it’s got good glow, and if it’s got good compression then check the fuel lines and tank and if it’s none of those things then I have no idea what’s goin on lol

Getting her ready to rip!! This will be fun!!

Good luck with that one

Great now I want one, and it’s your fault, looks so nice all shiny and new, your going to have to go dirty it up a bit... Looking forward to more videos on this one and the 3.3 you have on the way thx for making these videos even tho I think this video is going to end up costing me the price of a new tmaxx Classic.

looks better by time you finished. small tweaks once run in may be needed still, but hopefully be running good.

Wanted to mention also that a new engine that hasn't been broken in yet will have a ton of compression due to the tight tolerances between the piston and sleeve. Heating up the engine before you attempt to start it with a hair dryer or heat gun will make life easier for starting the engine. Metal expands with heat and contracts as it cools. Also...by preference I push the piston to bottom dead center while the engine is still hot/warm in an effort to maintain the most optimal pinch between the piston and sleeve. However, keeping your engine tuned properly will also prolong engine life.

Man i really hate to see how much trouble this thing gave you during break in! I can see why you were so frustrated. if only traxxas would have put throttle trim adjustments on this model like the 3.3 it would have helped so much. before i broke in my 2.5 a couple of weeks ago i put a throttle return spring on and upgraded slipper clutch and didn't go through this at all, for me i had to fatten up the lsn to get it to idle perfect on 20% out of the box

The T-Max is the only nitro car I've ever owned and it put me off nitro cars for life. I never got mine to run well and sold it as it just wasn't the car for me. I do like to see one running well and they are awesome but still not for me.

A 3.4 losi carburetor will fit traxxas 2.5 and 3.3 engine. It will run awesome.

Man more patience than me lol wow a lot of tunes

How's it going buddy!! One thing I learned with nitro is they run way better the cold it is . Thanks again Earl 👍🏻

Been watching your vids more lately with the nitros. I have been trying learning and tuning for almost 2 years now One big thing is the idle gap your is to big like mine was close the idle gap more and the idles will drop What I’m seeing here is way to big of idle gap and boy ohhh boy did I struggle on this one for a while. Dbl check your throttle idle stop on the throttle linkage has 1 mm space left to allow the idle to be lowered That should give you the ability to lower the idle without it stalling

I see you having the same problem I had in mind check and see if there's a wire on the side of your throttle cable disconnect keep throttle from open up wide Model you just keep this bottle from going back and forth they used to put it from the servo to the carburetor

Wish I could help but I’ve never had a nitro. I have worked on a lot of small engines and I always go back to my base on the carb and start over if I’m having issues.

always remember to center the throttle trim on the remote before u try n set the idle

where the throttle servo is there be a small round collar on the line. adjust that collar and the idle will drop

Idle gap it between .5-.7mm. And never change

In my opinion and experience, I have found that the linkage isn't set properly and just as you experienced that when you pushed thr low speed needle in when you were going to make an adjustment, the idle dropped. That alone should have been an indication that the linkage has an issue with not allowing the carburetor slide valve to hit the idle screw, therefore allowing it to idle properly.

Hey yooooo!!

Time to learn something. 😆

ANGRY Nitro! Just ANGRY! Its a real "JERK"

I had to do that to each one of my traxxas kits.

Richen up that low end , then set the idle . 1st 2 tanks run it fat then 3 4 5 6 tune for performance 👌

I loved my tmaxx 2.5 it wa my first rc I learned a lot on that truck then I switched to electric and gave it to my uncle ✌🏼💚

FIRST

I just can’t get into the nitros. I’ve had a couple. The 2 strike isn’t bad. It just seems like your always having to tune nitro. Lol.

like the video but my Mesophonia makes it hard to enjoy the nitros.

All Right First 👍🔥🚀🤪😎

That looked like a bit of a struggle!! I've never owned one so I probly would have read through the adjustments part of the manual really good before I started. I knew you would get it dialed in! What is a normal operating temp for nitro? If you were getting it up to 190° just sitting there idling. Is that because it wasn't moving? And the air movement will happen keep it cool?

Just the way the fuel level is dropping it's got to be the fuel mixture. It is drinking fuel!

Notification squad

🤙🏾

I’m just curious how can you tell the hi speed needle is rich without running the rc🤔?

I find the 2.5 so fussy to tune compared to the 3.3.

Pretty cool video who won the giveaway

An time you run 30 percent fuel you have to change all your setting I run traxxas 20 percent longer life of motor

Is this your first Nitro? Mine did the same. Throw it on the ground and start breaking the engine in before you break something. All that shit will stop once you break in the Damm Engine. 😂 14:27

EARL ….GOO BACK to the factory settings,,,take off the filter check that the carb is only opened about 1 mm. The adjust the IDLE SCREW AS NEEDED,,,,I the idle is to high turnCW to increase. CCW TO DECREASE. THE IDLE SCREW IS JUST BELOW THE HIGH SPEED NEEDLE….

Please watch some videos on tuning! This is painful!

all these hate comments JUST because it’s a traxxas😂😂 like your savage hasn’t had its issues😂

Put it on the ground and start breaking it in. WoW 11:54

The whole time you've had to lose speed needle too lean you need to reach in it up set the high speed flush with the top of the bow The list be needle will probably be three and a half turns out from all the way in to start with

Worst nitro motors I've ever experienced. I'll never buy a Traxxas again. Been in nitro cars, helis and planes since 1980s and never seen such a poor tuning, finicky motor. Try a kyosho or losi nitro buggy or truggy. The difference is astounding.

WTF!!!

This is why as this guy does has a majority of his RC;s on his shelf are electric! lol

i cant wait to not buy one of those things. They sound like a weed whacker except more annoying and dont go very fast with no torque at all

I'll stick with electric