Nitro Rustler Owners Manual - Horizon Hobby · Thank you for purchasing the Traxxas Nitro Rustler stadium truck.The Nitro Rustler is equipped with the all-new TRX 2.5 Racing Engine™

Nitro RustlerOwner’s Manual

Model4410

Traxxas Corporation, 1100 Klein Road, Plano, Texas 75074, Phone: 972.265.8000, Toll-free 1-888-TRAXXASTraxxas U.K., P.O. Box 1128, Winterbourne, Bristol BS17-2SH, England, Phone: 44.117.956.1002

Internet: www.Traxxas.com, www.T-Maxx.com

Traxxas CorporationCorporate Headquarters1100 Klein RoadPlano, Texas 75074Phone: 972-265-8000Toll-free 1-888-TRAXXAS

Traxxas U.K.P.O. Box 1128Winterbourne, Bristol BS17-2SHEnglandPhone: 44.117.956.1002

Internetwww.Traxxas.comE-mail: [email protected]

Entire contents ©2003 Traxxas Corporation. Traxxas, NitroRustler, TRX 2.5, TQ, Top Fuel, EZ-Start, Ready-To-Race, andProGraphix are trademarks or registered trademarks of TraxxasCorporation. Other brand names and marks are the property oftheir respective holders and are used only for purposes ofidentification. No part of this manual may be reproduced ordistributed in print or electronic media without the expresswritten permission of Traxxas.

020801

2

Thank you for purchasing the Traxxas Nitro Rustler stadiumtruck. The Nitro Rustler is equipped with the all-new TRX 2.5Racing Engine™ that elevates its performance from Ready-To-Runto Ready-To-Race®. Extremely high speed is possible once theengine has been properly broken in. The Nitro Rustler is aserious, performance-minded machine that incorporates race-bred suspension geometry for precise, responsive handling. Theoil-filled Ultra Shocks can be fine tuned for most any tracksurface. The Magnum 281 transmission features smooth runningball bearings, an adjustable slipper clutch, heavy duty gears, anda rugged planetary gear differential. A powerful disc brakeprovides outstanding stopping performance.

The Nitro Rustler’s new TRX 2.5 racing engine is the mostpowerful engine of its size ever available in a Ready-To-Runtruck. Two years of engineering development and advanceddesign, along with thousands of hours of testing, puts the TRX2.5 in a class by itself. Each part of the TRX 2.5 - from the air filteron the slide carburetor, to the tip on the dyno-tuned exhaustsystem - has been carefully engineered to provide maximumpower over the broadest RPM range.

Traxxas was the first with standard on-board electric starting.The new second generation EZ-Start has evolved into anincredibly advanced and reliable starting solution, featuringthermal protection for the motor and built-in diagnostics tomonitor the condition of the glow plug.

In this manual, we’ll take you step-by-step through all necessaryset-up, break-in, tuning, and operating procedures. Even if youare an experienced R/C enthusiast, it is important for you toread and follow the procedures in this manual. Payparticular attention to the fuel requirements and break-inprocedures. The advanced design of the TRX 2.5 racingengine does not follow traditional old-fashioned thinkingregarding fuel and break-in procedures.

4 Before You Proceed

5 Safety Precautions

6 Tools, Supplies and RequiredEquipment

7 Anatomy of the Nitro Rustler

8 Quick Start: GettingUp to Speed

9 Gluing the Tires

10 Decorating Your Nitro Rustler

11 The Traxxas TQRadio System

21 The TRX 2.5 racing engine

37 Driving the NitroRustler

38 Adjusting Your Nitro Rustler

41 Trouble ShootingYour Nitro Rustler

43 Maintainingand Storing Your Nitro Rustler

45 Index

3

Introduction

Before You Proceed

Carefully read and follow all instructions in this and anyaccompanying materials to prevent serious damage to yourNitro Rustler. Failure to follow these instructions will beconsidered abuse and/or neglect.

Before running your Nitro Rustler, look over this entire manual,and examine the truck carefully. If for some reason you decidethe Nitro Rustler is not what you wanted, then do not continueany further. Your hobby dealer absolutely cannot accept aNitro Rustler for return or exchange after it has been run.

Warnings, helpful hints, and cross-referencesThroughout this manual, you’ll notice warnings and helpfulhints, identified by the icons below. Be sure to read them!

An important warning about personal safety or avoidingdamage to your Nitro Rustler and related components.

Special advice from Traxxas to make things easier andmore fun.

Refers you to a page with a related topic.

SupportIf you have any questions about your Nitro Rustler or itsoperation, call the Traxxas Technical Support line toll-free at:1-888-TRAXXAS (1-888-872-9927)

Technical support is available Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 9:00pm central time. Technical assistance is also availableat www.Traxxas.com. You may also e-mail customer supportwith your question at [email protected]. Join thousands ofTraxxas R/C enthusiasts in our online community atwww.ReadyToRun.org

Traxxas offers a full-service, on-site repair facility to handle anyof your Traxxas service needs. Maintenance and replacementparts may be purchased directly from Traxxas, or you can saveshipping and handling costs by purchasing them from yourlocal hobby dealer.

4

All of us at Traxxas want you to safely enjoy your new NitroRustler. Operate your Nitro Rustler sensibly and with care, and itwill be exciting, safe, and fun for you and those around you.Failure to operate your Nitro Rustler in a safe and responsiblemanner may result in property damage and serious injury. Theprecautions outlined in this manual should be strictly followedto help ensure safe operation. You alone must see that theinstructions are followed and the precautions are adhered to.

Important Points to Remember R/C fuel is dangerous and highly poisonous. Always follow alldirections and precautions printed on the fuel container.

R/C fuel, especially when in a fuel dispensing bottle, maylook like a cool drink to a child. Keep all fuel out of the reachof children at all times. Do not place fuel containers on theground where children can get to them while you aredriving.

R/C fuel is flammable. Never allow smoking, sparks, heat orflame in the presence of fuel or fuel vapors.

The engine and exhaust system may become extremely hotduring use. Be careful not to touch the parts, especially whenrefueling or stopping the engine.

Prolonged exposure to the engine exhaust can be harmful.Avoid breathing the engine exhaust. Always run your NitroRustler outdoors, in a well-ventilated area. Never run theengine indoors.

Don’t operate your Nitro Rustler at night, or anytime your lineof sight to the model may be obstructed or impaired in anyway.

Never operate your Nitro Rustler in crowds of people or busypedestrian areas. The Nitro Rustler is fast, and may causeinjury to those unaware of its presence.

Because the Nitro Rustler is controlled by radio, it is subjectto radio interference from many sources beyond yourcontrol. Since radio interference can cause momentary lossof control, always allow a safety margin in all directionsaround your model to prevent collisions.

The engine can be loud. If the noise makes youuncomfortable, wear ear protection. Be considerate of yourneighbors by not running your model early in the morningor late in the evening.

Most importantly, use good common sense at all times.▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

All instructionsand precautionsoutlined in this

manual should be strictlyfollowed to ensure safeoperation of your NitroRustler.

The Nitro Rustler isnot intended foruse by those under

16 years of age withoutthe supervision of aresponsible andknowledgeable adult.

5

Safety Precautions

Tools, Supplies, and Required Equipment

Your Nitro Rustler comes with a set of specialty metric tools.You’ll need to purchase other items, available from your hobbydealer, to operate and maintain your model.

For more info onbatteries, see Usethe Right Batteries

on page 13.

A peak-detectingcharger isrecommended for

best performance andlongest battery life. Formore information, see Use the Right Charger onpage 30.

12 AA alkaline batteries for the radio system

7.2-volt NiCad battery pack for the EZ-Start starting system

NiCad battery charger

Traxxas Top Fuel™10% quart - #5010 • 20% quart - #502010% gallon - #5060 • 20% gallon- #5070

Fuel dispensing bottle (Traxxas part #5001)

TRAXXAS

1.5mm hex wrench

2.0mm hex wrench

Glow plug (universal) wrench

Turnbuckle wrenches

Batteries

Fuel

Supplied ToolsYour Nitro Rustler comes with these specialty metric tools:

Other Required Tools and Supplies

Thin, hobby-quality cyanoacrylateinstant tire glue (often called CA glue)

Safety glasses

#2 Phillips screwdriver

After-run oil (WD-40™) to protect the engine from corrosion

#1 Phillips screwdriver

Small flat-blade screwdriver (1/8 inch blade)

Filter oil (for the foam air filter) see page 27 for details

Hobby knife

6

U-Joint wrench

4-way wrench

Anatomy of the Nitro Rustler

BatteryBox

FuelTank

Fuel TankLid

SteeringServo

SuspensionArm

FrontBumper

Shock(Oil Damper)

Tie Rod(Turnbuckle)

Throttle/BrakeServo

Receiver

Transmission

AirFilter

Pipe

Header

Enginesee pg. 20 for details

PressureLine

FuelLine

EZ-StartMotor

EZ-StartPlug

ShockTower

BodyMount

SpurGear

Chassis(lower)

7

SlipperClutch Half Shaft

On/OffSwitch

ReceiverCrystal

AntennaMount

PipeHanger

Tie Bar

Rear Camber Link(Turnbuckle)

Bulkhead

Front Camber Link(Turnbuckle)

Chassis(upper)

The following guide is an overview of theprocedures for getting your Nitro Rustler

running, from opening the box to breaking in and tuning yourengine. Refer to the pages indicated for details on each step.Look for the Quick Start logo on the bottom corners of QuickStart pages.

1. Charge the battery pack • See sidebar, page 30 The EZ-Start requires a fully charged 7.2-volt battery pack (not included).

2. Get the right fuel • See page 26Use Traxxas Top Fuel™ or consult with Traxxas before using other fuels.

3. Glue the tires • See page 9Glue the tires to the rims to prevent the rims from spinning inside the tires.

4. Install the antenna • See page 15Install the antenna mast in the Nitro Rustler.

5. Decal and Install the body • See page 10You will need to use the body during the break-in process so it’s best to decal it before you use it on the truck.

6. Install batteries in the transmitter • See page 13The Nitro Rustler requires 8 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries for the transmitter.

7. Install batteries in the model • See page 14The Nitro Rustler requires 4 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries for the receiver.

8. Install the EZ-Start battery • See page 30Install and connect the 7.2-volt battery pack in the EZ-Start controller.

9. Turn on the radio system • See page 18Make a habit of turning the transmitter on first, and off last.

10. Check servo operation • See page 19Make sure the throttle and steering servos are workingcorrectly.

11. Range test the radio system • See page 20Follow this procedure to make sure your radio systemworks properly at a distance and that there is nointerference from outside sources.

12. Fill the fuel tank • See page 26Use your fuel-dispensing bottle to fill the tank.

13. Connect the EZ-Start to the model • See page 31Learn the proper way to use the EZ-Start electric startingsystem

14. Start the engine • See page 32Learn to use the correct starting procedure for your TRX 2.5.

15. Break-in your engine • See page 32Follow the break-in instructions exactly to ensure the best-performing, longest-lasting engine.

16. Tune your engine • See page 34Learn how to set the fuel mixture needles for optimum engine performance.

17. Drive your Nitro Rustler • See page 37Driving tips and adjustments for your Nitro Rustler

18. Maintaining your Nitro Rustler • See page 43Follow these critical steps to maintain the performanceof your Nitro Rustler and keep it in excellent runningcondition.

The Quick StartGuide is notintended to

replace the full operatinginstructions available inthis manual. Please readthis entire manual forcomplete instructions on the proper use andmaintenance of your Nitro Rustler.

Quick Start: Getting up to Speed

8

The tires on your Nitro Rustler must be glued to the rims usingCA tire glue to prevent the rims from spinning inside the tires.You can glue the tires without removing the wheels from thetruck. For clarity, these instructions show the process with thewheels removed.

1. Remove a wheel from the NitroRustler using the larger (8mm)end of the glow plug (universal)wrench on the front wheels. Usethe 4-way wrench (7mm) on therear wheels.

2. Use your thumb to push theside of the tire away from therim. Place one or two drops ofCA glue into the opening andrelease the tire. Capillary actionwill draw the glue around thebead of the tire.

3. Repeat step two at four or five points around the rim, until thetire is completely secured to the rim. Turn the rim over andrepeat the process for the inside of the rim/tire. Repeat for theother 3 wheels.

4. Reinstall the wheels, makesure none of the axle pinshave fallen out frombehind the hex hubs (rearwheels only).

Always wear safetyglasses to preventglue from splattering

into your eyes.

The acetone infingernail polishremover will

remove excess glue fromyour fingers.

For best resultswhile gluing, cleanthe bead of the tires

and the grooves of thewheels with denaturedalcohol before applyingglue. This removes any moldrelease agent residue fromthe tires and wheels,providing a better bond.

Gluing The Tires

9

Hub

Axle Pin

Decorating Your Nitro Rustler

Applying The Decals

The ProGraphix paintedbody is covered with aprotective film for shipping.You must remove this filmbefore applying any decals.

To remove the film, lift acorner of the film andcarefully pull it off the bodyin one continuous piece.

Your Nitro Rustler decals aredie-cut for easy removal. Usea hobby knife to lift thecorner of a decal and lift itfrom the backing.

Carefully position the decalover the desired locationand press one side on thebody. Pull the decal tightand use a finger to graduallysmooth out any air bubblesas you apply the decal.

Look at the photos on the box for typical decal placement.

10

11

The Traxxas TQ Radio System

Your Nitro Rustler (model 4410) is equipped with the TQ RadioSystem. The TQ is a 2-channel system that provides high-poweroutput up to a quarter mile and control for two servos. The NitroRustler makes use of two channels for throttle/brake and steering.

Nitro Rustler WiringDiagram

AntennaOn/OffSwitch

BlackNegative

RedPositive

Receiver

4-CellBattery Holder

Channel 1Steering Servo

Channel 2Throttle Servo

Channel 2 Channel 1

Battery

CH.2

CH.1

Antenna Throttle Neutral Adjust

Steering Wheel

Throttle Trim

Steering Trim

Power SwitchPower Indicator

Battery Compartment

ServoReversingSwitches

Throttle Trigger

Radio System TerminologyPlease take a moment to familiarize yourself with these radio-system terms. They will be used throughout this manual.

Channel - The 27 MHz frequency band is divided into 6 channelsso that up to six models can be operated simultaneously. Eachchannel is referred to by its flag color and channel number, asshown below.

Clearing your frequency - A routine, verbal check to make surenobody else in your area is operating on the same channel.Always clear your frequency by calling out your channelnumber before operating your model. Wait or move toanother area if your channel is already being used.

Crystal (X-tal) - The plug-in device that determines whichchannel the radio system will operate on. For each channel,there are two crystals, one for the receiver and one for thetransmitter. Of those two crystals, the one marked with thelower number (.455 MHz lower) must be inserted into thereceiver.

Frequency band - The radio frequency used by the transmitterto send signals to your Nitro Rustler. All Traxxas RTR modelsoperate on a 27 MHz frequency band.

Neutral position - The standing position that the servos seekwhen the transmitter controls are at the neutral setting.

NiCad - Refers to rechargeable, nickel-cadmium batteries. Themost economical choice, since they may be recharged up to500 times.

Receiver - The radio unit inside your Nitro Rustler that receivessignals from the transmitter and relays them to the servos.

Servos - Small motor units in your Nitro Rustler that operate thethrottle and steering mechanisms.

Two-channel radio system - The TQ radio system, consisting ofthe receiver, the transmitter, and the servos. The system usestwo channels: one to operate the throttle, one to operate thesteering.

Transmitter - The hand-held radio unit that sends throttle andsteering instructions to your Nitro Rustler.

Trim - The fine-tuning adjustment of the neutral position of theservos, made by turning the throttle and steering trim knobson the face of the transmitter.

Channel Frequency Band Flag Color Traxxas Part No.

1 26.995 Brown 2031

2 27.045 Red 2032

3 27.095 Orange 2033

4 27.145 Yellow 2034

5 27.195 Green 2035

6 27.255 Blue 2036

Learn terms relatedto the TRX 2.5racing engine

beginning on page 23.


12

13


Installing Transmitter BatteriesYour TQ transmitter uses 8 AA batteries. The batterycompartment is located at the base of the transmitter.

1. Remove the battery compartment door by pressing thetab and lifting the door up.

2. Install the batteries in the correct orientation as indicatedin the battery compartment.

3. Reinstall the battery door and snap it closed.

4. Turn on the transmitter and check the power indicator fora solid red light.

If the power indicator light flashes, then the transmitterbatteries are weak, discharged or possibly installed incorrectly.Replace with new or freshly charged batteries. The powerindicator light does not indicate the charge level of thereceiver batteries in the model.

Use the Right BatteriesYour transmitter and receiveruse AA batteries. Use newalkaline batteries, orrechargeable batteries such asNiCad or Ni-MH (nickel-metalhydride) batteries in yourtransmitter and receiver. Makesure rechargeable batteries arefully charged according to themanufacturer’s instructions.

If you use rechargeable batteries in your transmitter, beaware that when they begin tolose their charge, they losepower much more quickly thanregular alkaline batteries. Caution: Discontinuerunning your Nitro Rustlerat the first sign of weakbatteries (flashing red light)to avoid losing control.

If the power indicatordoesn’t light red, checkthe polarity of the

batteries. Check rechargeablebatteries for a full charge.

CH.2

CH.1

Installing Receiver BatteriesThe radio receiver in your Nitro Rustler uses 4 AA batteries. Thebattery holder for the receiver batteries is located underneath thebattery cover on the rear bumper.

1. Remove the battery cover by removing the two body clipsfrom the posts.

2. Remove the battery holder and install 4 AA alkaline batteries.Make careful note of the battery polarity by comparingagainst the diagrams in the battery holder.

3. Insert the battery holder into the battery cover.

4. Reinstall the battery cover and secure with the body clips (see sidebar!).

4-cellbatteryholder

Direct the batterywires through theslot in the battery

cover. If the wires are notproperly routed, they maybecome broken or shorted,causing radio systemfailure and loss of control.

If you use rechargeable batteries in your receiver,be aware that when theybegin to lose their charge,they lose power much morequickly than regularalkaline batteries. Signs ofweak receiver batteriesinclude sluggish steeringresponse and shortenedradio range. Caution:Discontinue running yourNitro Rustler at the first signof weak batteries to avoidlosing control.

If the radio systemdoesn’t appear towork when the

transmitter and receiverswitches are turned on,check for correct batteryinstallation.


14


15

Spray a little windowcleaner on theantenna wire to

make it easier to pushthrough the antenna tube.

Don’t shorten thelength of theantenna wire. Its

length is tuned to thefrequency band; cutting itcould severely shorten theradio system’s range.

Don’t push thetransmitter antennadown from the top.

Pull it down from thebottom, one segment at atime, to prevent binding andkinking the antenna mast.

Setting Up the AntennaYou must install the antenna mast (tube) before you operateyour Nitro Rustler. You’ll find the plastic antenna tube and tip inthe bag with your manuals and documentation.

1. Locate the black antenna wire that exits the receiver. TheNitro Rustler receiver is mounted on the front of the upperchassis. The receiver is wrapped in a balloon for protection.The color of the balloon indicates the channel number (seepage 12).

2. Pull the wire straight with your fingers and then insert theend of the wire into one end of the antenna tube. Push thewire all the way through the antenna tube.

3. Pull the remaining wire through the antenna tube, and theninsert the base of the antenna tube into the molded post ontop of the chassis.

4. Fold the remaining antenna wire over the top of the tubeand secure it with the antenna tip.

5. On the transmitter, always fully extend the telescopingantenna when running your Nitro Rustler. Make a habit of holding the transmitter so that the antenna points straight up.

Antenna Tip

Antenna Tube


CH.2

CH.1

TQ Radio System Controls

16

Other TQ Radio System AdjustmentsIn addition to the electronic throttle and steering trim controls,your radio system features throttle neutral adjustment andservo reversing switches.

Throttle Neutral AdjustmentThe throttle neutral adjustment is located on the transmitterface and controls the forward/brake travel of the throttletrigger. Change the adjustment by pressing the button andsliding it to the desired position. There are two settingsavailable:

50/50: Allows equal travel for both acceleration and braking.

70/30: Allows more throttle travel (70%) and less

brake travel (30%).

50/50 is the required setting for the Nitro Rustler with the TRX 2.5 racing engine.

Electronic Throttle TrimThe electronic throttle trim located on the face of thetransmitter adjusts the neutral (center) point of the throttleservo when the servo is at rest. This control has been preset foryou at the factory. If necessary, adjust the control so that thecarburetor is at idle, and the brakes are not applied (the model

▼▼


17

will roll freely). Do not use the throttle trim to raise or lower theengine idle speed. Make the idle speed adjustment on thecarburetor.

Electronic Steering TrimThe electronic steering trim located on the face of thetransmitter adjusts the neutral (center) point of the steeringservo when the servo is at rest. Adjust this control to make themodel drive straight with no steering input at the wheel.

Servo Reversing SwitchesThe servo reversing switches are located on the front of thetransmitter, next to the on/off switch. Moving a switch reversesthe direction of the corresponding servo.

Each switch corresponds to a channel, as shown below. Forexample, if you turn the steering wheel to the right and yourfront wheels turn left, you would move the channel 1 switch tocorrect the servo direction. It may be necessary to adjust thecorresponding trim control after moving a switch.

CH.2

CH.1

Channel Servo1 Steering2 Throttle and braking

TQ Radio System RulesEach time you prepare to run your NitroRustler, you must clear your frequencyto be sure no one else in the area isusing the same channel as you.

There are six possible channels,numbered 1 through 6. Each isrepresented by a color. Look at thecrystal plugged into the back of yourtransmitter to determine which channelyour truck is assigned to.

Always turn your TQ transmitter on first and off last. Thisprocedure will help to prevent your Nitro Rustler fromreceiving stray signals from another transmitter, or othersource, and running out of control.

Always have the transmitter and receiver turned on beforeyou start the engine. Never turn the radio system off whilethe engine is running. The on/off switch in the model onlyturns the receiver on and off. It does not turn off the engine.

Always use new or freshly charged batteries for the radiosystem. Weak batteries will limit the range of the radio signalbetween the receiver and the transmitter. Loss of the radiosignal can cause you to lose control of your Nitro Rustler.

▼

▼▼

▼ Channel 1Brown

Channel 2Red

Channel 3Orange

Channel 4Yellow

Channel 5Green

Channel 6Blue

CH.2

CH.1

1 2 3

Remember, alwaysturn the TQtransmitter on first

and off last to avoiddamage to your NitroRustler.

The Nitro Rustler’son/off switch doesnot have an

indicator plate to showwhich direction is on.However, you can tell bylooking at the wires thatcome out of theswitchbox. Moving theswitch towards thegrey/grey-white wiresturns the receiver on.

18


ON OFF


Using the TQ Radio SystemThe TQ Radio System was pre-adjusted at the factory. Theadjustment should be checked, before running the model, incase of movement during shipping. Here’s how:

1. Fully extend the chrome antenna mast on the transmitterand turn the switch on. The red indicator light on thetransmitter should be solid red (not flashing).

2. Turn on the receiver switch in the model. The switch islocated on the rear shock tower.

3. Position the Nitro Rustler so that its front wheels are off theground.

4. Turn the steering wheel on the transmitter back and forthand check for rapid operation of the steering servo. Also,check that the steering mechanism is not loose or binding. Ifthe steering operates slowly, check for weak receiverbatteries.

5. When looking down at model, the front wheels should bepointing straight ahead. If the wheels are turned slightly to

the left or right, slowly adjust the steering trim control on thetransmitter until they are pointing straight ahead.

6. Operate the throttle trigger on the transmitter and check forrapid operation of the throttle servo. When the throttletrigger is pulled back, the carburetor should open. When thethrottle trigger is pushed all the way forward, the brakeshould lock.

7. Once adjustments are made, turn off the receiver on yourNitro Rustler, followed by the handheld transmitter.

Throttle

Brake

Steering ServoThrottle/Brake

Servo

0°0°

Nitro Rustler ServoOperation

When the engineis running, don’tuse the throttle

trim on the transmitter toadjust the engine idlespeed. Instead, use theidle speed adjustment onthe carburetor.

19


Range-Testing the TQ Radio SystemBefore each running session with your Nitro Rustler, you shouldrange-test your radio system to ensure that it operates properly.

1. Turn on the radio system and check its operation as described in the previous section (Using Your Radio System,pages 18- 19).

2. Have friend hold the model with the engine off.

3. Make sure your transmitter antenna is fully extended, andthen walk away from the model with the transmitter until youreach the farthest distance you plan to operate the model.

4. Operate the controls on the transmitter once again to be surethat the model responds correctly.

5. Do not attempt to operate the model if there is any problemwith the radio system or any external interference with yourradio signal at your location.

Centering the ServosWhenever your radio system has been removed for service or

cleaning, the servos must be re-centered prior to installing theradio system in the model. If the radio system is installed in thecar, disconnect the servo horns from the servos.

Connect the steering servo to channel 1 on your receiver andthe throttle servo to channel 2. The white wire on each servocable is positioned towards the crystal. Connect the red andblack cable from the battery holder to the “batt” terminal on thereceiver. The red wire is positive and the black wire is negative.

Place fresh “AA” batteries in the transmitter and turn the powerswitch on. Slide the throttle and steering trim adjustments to tothe center position. Now install fresh “AA” batteries into the

battery holder and turn the power switch to the on position. Theservos will automatically jump to their center positions.

Turn off the battery holder switch followed by the transmitter.The servos are now ready to be installed. Be careful not to movethe servo shaft when reinstalling the servo horns.

Don’t attempt tooperate your NitroRustler if there are

any problems with yourradio system or radiointerference at yourlocation.

20

IntroductionThere’s nothing like the TRX 2.5 Racing Engine in your new NitroRustler. The TRX 2.5 racing engine is vastly superior to typicalR/C engines and belongs in the category of specialty high-performance racing engines. It’s the result of years of focusedengineering development, and thousands of hours of controlled testing and rigorous real-world running. It offersunprecedented power and performance that turns ready-to-runinto Ready-To-Race®.

The TRX 2.5 racing engine takes a total-system approach. Eachpart of the engine, from the air filter to the exhaust tip, iscarefully engineered to work in harmony with other enginecomponents. Each part complements the next, to extractmaximum power. The TRX 2.5 is designed to be tolerant ofvariations in tuning, and to run successfully through a widerange of variable atmospheric conditions, such as changes intemperature, humidity, and altitude.

The TRX 2.5 is manufactured to exacting tolerances and requiresa specially-designed break-in procedure to accomplish the finalprecision fitting of the internal engine components. It is veryimportant that you follow the new break-in procedure as closelyas possible to achieve the best performance and longest lifefrom your TRX 2.5 racing engine. Old style break-in procedures,such as simply running the engine with a very rich fuel mixturefor the first 4 tanks of fuel, will not achieve the best results.Follow the steps in this manual.

A routine maintenance schedule is also required to keep theTRX 2.5 in top running condition. Cleaning the air filter aftereach hour of running is particularly important. Also it isextremely important to perform after-run maintenance on theengine to prevent corrosion from building up on the internalengine components (see page 42).

Traxxas stronglydiscourageschanging or

modifying any part of theTRX 2.5 racing engine. Oldtech tips and tricks thatmay have boosted thepower of other enginescould seriously diminish theperformance of the TRX 2.5.

There’s more advancedthinking, development andtesting in the stock parts ofyour TRX 2.5 than in manyaftermarket manufacturer’sso-called performanceparts. The TRX 2.5 is alreadyone of the most powerfulengines in its class andsimply will not benefit fromaverage, low-tech,aftermarket bolt onperformance items.

The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine™

21

The TRX 2.5 Racing Engine

TRX 2.5 Illustrated

AirFilter

Head Protector

Head (Cylinder head)

EZ-StartDrive Unit

EZ-StartMotor

Low-SpeedNeedle

ThrottleArm

ClutchBell

Flywheel

Carburetor

Air Intake

Fuel Intake

High-Speed Needle

Idle SpeedScrew

EZ-StartPlug

PositiveWire

NegativeWire

Fuel Line

Fuel TankPipe Exhaust

Tip

PressureLine

GroundWire

Glow PlugWire

EZ-StartController

22

Crankshaft

Crankcase


Terms to KnowYou’ll find these Nitro R/C engine terms throughout thissection of the manual.

.15 - .15 or “15” refers to the size of the engine. The TRX 2.5 is .15cubic inches or 2.5 cubic centimeters (cc). The name “TRX 2.5”is derived from the cc measurement.

ABC - Abbreviation for aluminum, brass, and chrome. Refers toengine construction that consists of an aluminum piston thatslides in a chrome-plated brass sleeve. The TRX 2.5 uses ABCconstruction.

Air filter - The air filter sits atop the carburetor and preventsharmful dust and dirt from entering the engine. Dirt ingestionis the number one cause of premature engine failure so theengine should never be run without the air filter in place.

Big Block .15 - A .15 (2.5) engine that uses a larger crankcasesize and longer stroke than typical .15 engines. Generally onlyused for specific racing classes.

Break-in - Break-in is the procedure for running a brand newengine according to specific instructions. This correctlyprepares the engine for normal running. The break-inprocedure can be different for different makes of engines.Follow the Traxxas directions for break-in exactly.

Carb - Abbreviation for carburetor.Carburetor - The carburetor atomizes (mixes) the fuel with the

air so that the engine can burn it. There are two types ofcarburetors, slide carbs and barrel carbs. The TRX 2.5 uses thesuperior slide carburetor design.

Clean-out - Cleaning-out is a condition that occurs when theengine is accelerating and the fuel mixture becomessufficiently lean to allow the engine to continue into its upperRPM power band. Usually characterized by a noticeabledecrease in blue exhaust smoke and a dramatic increase inengine speed.

Combustion chamber - The combustion chamber is machinedinto the bottom of the cylinder head. This is where the glow

plug ignites the fuel. The shape of the combustion chamber isdesigned to promote more efficient burning of the fuel.

Connecting rod - The connecting rod transfers the pistonmotion to the crankshaft. The TRX 2.5 racing engine uses a“knife-edged” connecting rod. The aerodynamic, sharpenededges allow it to “slice” through the pressurized air/fuelmixture inside the crankcase.

Cooling fins - The cooling fins are molded into the cylinderhead and crankcase and cause heat to be drawn away fromthe engine. Heat is removed when it dissipates into the airpassing across the cooling fins. It is important to keep the finsclean of dirt and debris for maximum cooling efficiency.

Crankcase - The engine “body” that contains all of the runningmechanical components.

Crankshaft - The main shaft of the engine that contains therotating assembly.

Cylinder head (head) - The finned aluminum part on top of theengine that is responsible for dissipating most of the engine’sheat. The combustion chamber is machined into the bottom ofthe head.

Dyno - Abbreviation for dynamometer. A precise piece oftesting equipment that accurately measures engine powerand torque output over the engines entire RPM range.

EZ-Start - Second generation Traxxas on-board electric startingsystem. The system consists of a hand held starter control unitand an on-board gearbox with an electric motor to spin theengine. The new EZ-Start contains many performance andreliability improvements over the first generation EZ-Start.

Filter foam - The oiled foam element inside the air filterhousing. The filter foam in the TRX 2.5 must be thoroughlycleaned and re-oiled after every hour of run time.

Fit - Usually refers to the fit of the piston and sleeve. If the fit istight, then the piston will feel very tight at top of the sleeveand the engine will have good sealing and compression. If thefit is loose, then compression will be low and the piston andsleeve should be replaced.

Learn terms relatedto the TQ RadioSystem on page 12.

23


Flame-out - Occurs when the engine stops running at highRPM. Usually the fault of an excessively lean fuel mixture orglow plug failure.

Fuel - (10% 20%) The TRX 2.5 must have model engine fuel torun. Traxxas Top Fuel is recommended. Fuel is sold in quartsand gallons from hobby dealers. The 10 and 20% labelingrefers to the percentage amount of nitromethane contained inthe fuel (see “nitro percentage” definition).

Fuel mixture - The ratio of fuel to air as determined by theneedle settings of the carburetor.

Fuel tubing (fuel line) - The thick silicone tubing that carriesfuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor.

Glow plug - The glow plug is located in the cylinder head at thetop of the combustion chamber. It contains a platinumelement that glows red hot when voltage is applied. When theengine is being started, the heat from the glow plug ignitesthe fuel mixture and starts the combustion process.

Glow plug driver - This tool clips onto the glow plug andsupplies the required voltage to light the glow plug element. Itis also called an igniter. EZ-Start equipped engines do notrequire this separate tool.

Header - The aluminum tube that connects the exhaust systemto the engine exhaust port. The length and diameter of theheader must be carefully selected to extract the most powerfrom the engine.

High-speed needle - Adjusts the carburetors fuel/air mixture athigh RPM.

Idle speed - The speed (RPMs) the engine runs at when thetransmitter’s throttle trigger is at neutral.

Idle speed screw - Located on the carburetor body.This screw adjusts the idle RPM of the engine.

Lean - A running condition where the engine is not gettingenough fuel (for the available air). Symptoms include engineoverheating, or the engine runs for a short time and then

stalls, particularly at high speed. This is a dangerous condition that should be corrected immediately or it canruin your engine.

Leaning the mixture - Turning either the high speed and/orlow-speed needle(s) clockwise to decrease the amount of fuelthe engine receives.

Low-speed needle - Needle valve that controls the low-speedfuel mixture.

Needle valve - Valve consisting of a tapered needle that closesagainst a corresponding seat to regulate fuel flow.

Nitro - Abbreviation for nitro methane, a component of modelengine fuel that improves fuel combustion and power output.Nitro also refers to a class of RC powered by model enginesinstead of electric.

Nitro content - The amount of nitro methane used in the fuel.Usually measured as a percentage of the total fuel volume.Traxxas engines are optimized to use 10-20% nitro. 30% nitromay be used for racing.

Nitromethane - Nitro methane is a component in the fuel thatincreases power from the combustion process up to a point.Engines are generally optimized to use a range of nitrocontent for the best power.

O-ring - Rubber “O”-shaped ring used as a sealing gasket.Pipe - Abbreviation for the tuned exhaust pipe on a nitro

engine. See “Tuned Pipe” definition.Piston - The piston is the internal engine part that is attached to

the upper end of the connecting rod and moves up and downin the cylinder sleeve. The precise fit between the piston andthe sleeve creates a seal that allows engine to have therequired compression for combustion.

Port - Ports are openings in the sleeve that allow atomized fuelto enter the combustion chamber and burned exhaust gassesto exit. The shape and location of the ports are a large factor incontrolling the engine timing and power output.

24

Priming - Manually causing fuel to move from the fuel tank upto the carburetor. This is sometimes necessary after the enginehas been sitting for a long period of time and all the fuel hasdrained back to the tank. On a Traxxas model this is done byholding your finger over the exhaust tip for one or twoseconds while the engine is starting.

Punch - A term that refers to how quickly the model respondsto throttle input or how quickly it accelerates.

Rich - A running condition where the engine is getting toomuch fuel for the available air. It is better to run an engineslightly rich to increase engine life. Excessively rich mixturescause the engine to have sluggish performance withexaggerated blue smoke and unburned fuel coming from theexhaust.

RPM - Abbreviation for revolutions per minute (how many timesthe engine crankshaft spins in a minute).

Sleeve - Internal engine part that contains the piston. Theprecise fit between the sleeve and the piston creates a sealthat allows engine to have the required compression forcombustion. The sleeve in a TRX engine is made of brass and isthen hard-chrome plated.

Slide carburetor - The throttle on a slide carburetor closes andopens by sliding a barrel in and out of the carburetor body.This type of carburetor is preferred for performance usebecause it provides a less restrictive “straight-through” air paththan the barrel carburetor design.

Stall - When the engine stops running, usually due to anincorrect fuel mixture setting or running out of fuel.

Tuned pipe - The tuned exhaust pipe usually consists of aspecially-shaped metal or composite chamber with bafflesthat is designed to enhance the power output of the engine.

Wear-in - Fitment process that occurs during engine break-inwhere internal engine parts develop an even more precisematched fit through actual use under controlledcircumstances.

WOT - Abbreviation for wide-open throttle.


25


The FuelUse the Right FuelIt’s imperative that you use the correct fuel inyour TRX 2.5 for maximum performance andengine life. Traxxas Top Fuel should be used to ensure correct engine lubrication,performance, and ease of tuning. Traxxas TopFuel™ has been proven in thousands of engines,so you can count on it every day for greatperformance.

Top Fuel is the only fuel which is 100% certified for use inTraxxas engines.Traxxas Top Fuel is made with just the right balance of thehighest grade natural and synthetic lubricants to allowexcellent throttle response and the best top-endperformance, without sacrificing long-term durability.All of the components in the fuel are carefully selected fromthe best materials available and then custom blended tomatch the metallurgy and temperature characteristics ofTraxxas engines.

You may use 10% or 20% nitro-content fuel. Use the samepercentage all the time; don’t switch back and forth between10% and 20% fuel. If you break-in your engine on 20% fuel, thenalways use 20% fuel.

What about Other Fuels?Can other brands of fuel be used besides Top Fuel? There areother fuels that can provide satisfactory performance; howeverthere could be long-term costs in the form of decreased engineperformance, loss of tuning ease, and shorter engine life.

Everyone has an opinion or a claim to make about fuel. Theengineering team at Traxxas spent over 2-years developing theTRX 2.5 racing engine. No one knows more about the specificfuel requirements of Traxxas engines than Traxxas engineers. Westrongly urge you not to take chances with your engineinvestment and use the Traxxas fuel made for the TRX 2.5.

Handling the FuelFollow all directions and warnings on the fuel can.Keep the fuel tightly capped at all times. Some componentsin the fuel can evaporate very quickly and upset the balanceof the fuel.Do not store unused fuel in the fuel dispenser. Immediatelyreturn fresh unused fuel back into the fuel can.Do not mix old and new fuel. Never mix different brands offuel together.Store the fuel in a cool dry location, away from any source ofheat, ignition, or combustion.Read and follow the safety precautions on page 5 in this manual.

Filling the Fuel TankUse a fuel dispensing bottle (Traxxas TopFueler, part# 5001) to put fuel into the NitroRustler’s fuel tank. To fill the fuel bottle,squeeze the air out, insert the dispensertip into the fuel can, and release your gripon the bottle. As the bottleexpands, fuel will be drawninto it.

To fill your model flip up thespring-loaded cap on the fueltank, insert the tip of the fuelbottle, and squeeze todispense the fuel. Fill the tankuntil the fuel level reaches the base of the filler neck. Close thefuel tank lid, making sure it closes tightly.

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼

You may use highernitro percentagesthan 20% in certain

circumstances. Call 1-888-TRAXXAS for moreinformation.

26

The Air FilterThe TRX 2.5 air filter is carefully designed to deliver maximumperformance while protecting your engine from dust and dirt.Use only the supplied filter. You will not improve engineperformance by switching to an aftermarket filter, and youmay risk engine damage due to poor filtration.

The TRX 2.5 air filter assembly consists of 3 pieces:

1. A rubber filter base

2. A plastic housing consisting of a permanently assembledmesh cap and body

3. An oiled foam element

You must clean the filter after every hour of runtime, even if thefilter looks clean. Dust (which is often too fine to see) and dirtconstantly move through the filter anytime the engine isrunning. Even if you can’t see dirt on the filter, it is present insidethe foam after any amount of runtime. If you exceed therecommended cleaning intervals, your engine will be damaged.Engine damage or wear due to dirt ingestion is easy to detect,and one of the top causes of premature engine failure.

Air Filter Cleaning Instructions1. Remove the air filter from the

carburetor bore by pulling the entire filter firmly to theside to release it. Do not pullstraight up.

2. Disassemble the filter. Pull therubber base out of the filterbody.With the base removed, the foam element is visible inthe bottom of the filter body. Pull out the foam element.

3. Clean the filter parts by thoroughly washing all three pieces ofthe filter assembly in hot soapy water (dishwashing detergentworks well). Repeat twice.

4. Thoroughly dry the parts with a clean towel or compressed air.Remember to wear your safety glasses when working withcompressed air.

5. Oil the foam element by saturating it with foam filter oil. Usethe supplied Traxxas filter oil (part# 5263) or a high-quality,special-purpose foam filter oil like what is used for high-performance motorcycle and ATV engines.This type of filter oilis available at motorcycle pro-shops. If foam filter oil is notavailable, clean 30-40 weight motor oil can be substituted, butis not preferred. Never run the engine without a properlyoiled filter! Apply 30 drops of the Traxxas filter oil evenly tothe top, bottom and sides of the filter element (30 total dropsdivided among the 3 surfaces). Squeeze the filter elementrepeatedly to help spread the oil throughout. Squeeze theexcess oil from the foam.The filter element should be evenlycolored by the oil. Even color indicates that the oil is evenlydistributed. Note: Do not use the air filter oil for anythingother than the air filter. It is not meant to be a lubricant.

6. Reassemble the filter and install it on the engine, making surethe rubber base fits securely on the carburetor with no gaps orair leaks.


Clean your air filterafter every hour ofruntime to avoid

engine damage, even if thefilter looks clean.

If you usecompressed air todry your air filter

assembly, wear safetyglasses and avoid directingcompressed air towardyour skin.

27


The CarburetorUnderstanding the Carburetor adjustmentsThe carburetor performs several functions. It controls theengine’s speed by restricting the intake of air and fuel into theengine. It atomizes the fuel (suspends the fuel droplets in theair) and also controls the air/fuel ratio of the mixture enteringthe engine (how much air for a given amount of fuel).

To help provide a better understanding of engine tuning andwhy it’s necessary, the following is a brief explanation of theair/fuel combustion process that takes place inside the engine.

In order to create the cylinder pressure that results in power, theengine burns the air/fuel mixture. Both air and fuel, in correctamounts, are needed for proper combustion. It is thecarburetor’s job to mix the air and fuel together (atomize thefuel), in the correct proportion for the best possible combustion.This is the ideal air/fuel ratio. The ideal air/fuel ratio required forthe engine remains roughly constant. Due to variations inatmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, altitude etc.)fuel flow adjustment valves (called fuel mixture needles) arerequired to meter the fuel and maintain the ideal air/fuel ratio inthese ever-changing conditions. For example, colder air is moredense (more air molecules) for a given volume of air andtherefore requires more fuel (more fuel molecules) to maintain

the correct air/fuel ratio. Warmer air is less dense (fewer airmolecules) and therefore needs less fuel to maintain the correctair/fuel ratio. The tuning needles are there to adjust how muchfuel is made available for the carburetor to mix with theavailable air (atomization).

The Fuel Mixture NeedlesThe amount of fuel metered and atomized by the carburetor iscontrolled by the two mixture needles, the high-speed needleand the low-speed needle. The low-speed needle is used tometer the fuel used by the engine at idle and low RPM (part-throttle) engine speed. The high-speed needle is used to meterthe fuel when the throttle is open from part throttle to wide-open throttle (WOT). Two needles on the TRX 2.5 provide precisecontrol of the air/fuel ratio across the engine’s entire RPM range.

The maximum possible fuel flow is always controlled by thehigh-speed needle. It works like the main water valve on agarden hose. Turn it clockwise to close the valve, counter-clockwise to open it. When the throttle is at idle or partiallyopen, the low-speed needle again meters the fuel flow at theoutlet (needle seat) where the fuel enters the carburetor venturi.This second valve acts like the spray nozzle at the end of thegarden hose in our example. When you accelerate from idle, thethrottle opens and the low-speed needle is pulled away fromthe needle seat. This allows more fuel to flow with the increasedair flow. As the throttle is increased, the low-speed needle is

28

See page 35 formore informationon how air density

affects engine tuning.

Air

Fuel

Dense Air Less Dense Air

pulled completely away from the needle seat leaving it fullyopen. At that point, fuel metering is entirely controlled by thehigh-speed needle. Again, using our water hose example, whenthe spray nozzle at the end of our garden hose is fully open,then the main water valve can be used to adjust how fast thewater flows.

The engine’s performance is directly linked to the fuelmixture. Richening the fuel mixture increases the amount offuel in the air/fuel mixture ratio and leaning the fuel mixturedecreases the amount of fuel in the air/fuel mixture ratio.

Slightly lean fuel mixtures deliver stronger, more efficientcombustion and more power, but with less lubrication.

Slightly rich fuel mixtures deliver cooler running and morelubrication but with slightly less power.

Tuning the engine means finding the perfect balance betweenthe two; excellent power to meet your needs while maintaininggood lubrication for long engine life. The optimal fuel mixturesetting is rich to provide a safety margin against having a leancondition if some variable changes (such as the temperaturefrom one day to the next).

General fuel mixture settings are measured by the number ofturns the needles are turned out from fully closed. The fuelmixture settings have been pre-set from the factory to typicalbreak-in settings. Do not readjust your carburetor from thefactory settings until after the engine is started and running,and you have been able to observe the engine running toassess what minor adjustments may be required to compensatefor fuel, temperature, and altitude. Adjustments are usuallymade in 1/8 or 1/16-turn increments.

The Idle Speed AdjustmentThe idle speed screw controls the closed position of the throttleslide. When the throttle servo is in its neutral position, thethrottle slide should be stopped against the idle adjustmentscrew. Always use the idle speed adjusting screw to controlengine idle. Do not use the throttle trim on the transmitter toadjust idle speed. The idle speed should be set as low aspossible and still maintain reliable running.

▼▼


Water Valve(Controls Overall Flow)

High Speed Needle

Water Nozzle(Controls Fine Flow)

Low Speed Needle

See Tuning the TRX2.5 for BestPerformance on

page 34 for completeinformation on adjustingthe air/fuel mixture andidle speed.

If your factorypreset carburetoradjustments have

been tampered with, usethe following settings: setthe low-speed needle sothat the screw head is flushwith the end of the slide.Set the high-speed needleto 4 turns out from closed.Always use the factorysettings for initial starting.Only use these settingswhen the factory settingshave been lost.

29

Lean Rich


30

The Traxxas EZ-Start Electric Starting SystemThe Traxxas EZ-Start brings the convenience of push-buttonelectric engine starting to your Nitro Rustler.The EZ-Start consistsof a handheld control unit and an on-board motorized starter.

Power for the EZ-Start system comes from a 7.2-voltrechargeable NiCad battery pack installed in the handheldcontrol unit (battery not included).The engine glow plug is heated automatically by theEZ-Start system, eliminating the need to keep up with aseparate glow plug igniter.The voltage to the glow plug is kept constant, regardless ofthe load placed on the starter by the starter motor.The “Glow Plug” LED (light emitting diode) on the controlunit indicates the condition of the glow plug.The “Motor” LED indicates the status of the EZ-Start electricstarter motor.The cush drive mechanism in the drive unit preventsdamage to the gears caused by engine kickback.Smart Start™ protection circuitry prevents damage to themotor by cutting power if the load on the motor or otherelectronics exceeds safe limits.

Installing the EZ-Start BatteryThe EZ-Start system requires a fully charged 7.2-volt NiCadbattery pack (not included). Use a charger (not included)designed for 7.2-volt battery packs. Charge the batteryaccording to the charger manufacturer’s directions.

1. Press the tab in the end of the battery compartment door to open

2. Plug a fully charged 7.2-volt NiCad battery pack into theconnector inside.

3. Twist the battery 2 or 3 times to twirl the battery plug wires.This helps hold the wire and battery in place when thebattery is installed in the compartment

4. Place the battery into the compartment and press the wiressecurely into place.

5. Slide the battery compartment door back on and lock theend tab.

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼

Use the Right ChargerThe most convenient

type of charger is an ACpeak-detecting charger thatplugs directly into an ACwall outlet. It containsspecial peak-detectioncircuitry that automaticallyshuts the charger off whenthe battery is fully charged.

If you’re using a 15-minutetimed charger, always fullydischarge the battery packbefore each charge. Somehigh mAh battery packs(1500 mAh or higher)require more than thestandard 15 minutes ofcharge time. If the batterypack is cold after 15 minutesof charging, add another 5minutes of charge time.Closely monitor the batterypack and stop charging itwhen it begins to feel warmto the touch. Never leave abattery chargingunattended. Always followcharger manufacturer’sinstructions.


Using the EZ-StartYour EZ-Start controller plugs into a 4-prong receptaclemounted on the battery box of your Nitro Rustler. When the redbutton on the controller is depressed, the EZ-Start motor beginsto spin the engine, and power from the control unit heats theglow plug. Assuming all settings and preparations are correct,the engine should start almost immediately.

Each of the two status indicatorLEDs on the handheld control unit,the Motor LED and the Glow PlugLED, should light green whilestarting. If either LED fails to lightwhile starting, there is a faultindicated with that function:

If the Glow Plug LED fails tolight, the glow plug may be bad,or the glow plug wire may bedamaged or disconnected.

If the Motor LED fails to lightand the starter fails to operate,then the EZ-Start is inprotection mode.

Protection ModeThe EZ-Start uses Smart Start™ technology to monitor thecondition of the system and detect failures. The controllermonitors the load being placed on the EZ-Start motor. If theload becomes excessive, the system shuts off power to themotor to prevent costly damage to the motor and thecontroller. This may occur, for example, if the engine floods withfuel during starting. The starter spins at first but when excessivefuel in the combustion chamber begins to lock up the engine,the starter motor slows under the heavier load. This causes theprotection circuit to shut off the power to the motor. Allow atleast 3 minutes for the starter motor to cool and the circuit toautomatically reset before continuing. Use the time to find andeliminate the condition that caused the excessive load on thestarter motor.

▼▼

When the EZ-Startcontroller is inprotection mode, wait

at least three minutes beforeattempting to start theengine, to give the startermotor time to cool.

It’s normal for yourEZ-Start controller to become warm

after repeated use.

See page 43 for information on clearing a

flooded engine.

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

Mo

tor

Glo

w

Plu

g

31


32

See ImportantPoints to Rememberon page 5 for other

precautions.

Never run yourNitro Rustlerindoors. Since the

TRX 2.5 racing engineexhaust fumes are harmful,always run your NitroRustler outdoors, in a well-ventilated area.

Your TRX 2.5 racingengine doesn’tusually require

priming. If you do need toprime your engine, watchthe fuel line carefully toavoid flooding your engine.See page 43 forinformation on clearing aflooded engine.

Your carburetor ispre-set at thefactory to give the

correct air-to-fuel ratio andidle speed for enginebreak-in. Do not adjust thecarburetor unless youobserve a poor runningcondition that requirescorrection.

Breaking-in Your TRX 2.5 Racing EngineThe TRX 2.5 uses a ringless, aluminum-brass-chrome (ABC)piston/sleeve construction.This type of engine design relies on avery precise running fit between the piston and sleeve for cylindersealing. Engine break-in is necessary to allow the piston andsleeve to develop an extremely precise fit and optimum cylindersealing. Therefore, proper engine break-in is critical to achievingthe fastest, most reliable engine performance.

Allow yourself about 1 to 11/2 hours to complete the break-inprocedure.The engine break-in period will take 5 tanks of fuel in aNitro Rustler.The break-in time is not the time to impress yourfriends with your new Nitro Rustler. You must wait until theengine is fully broken in before attempting sustained highspeed running. Patience and careful attention during break-in willreward you with the best-performing TRX 2.5 possible.

During break-in, your engine may appear to malfunction withsymptoms like stalling, inconsistent performance, and fouled glowplugs.These are simply the normal “break-in pains” enginessometimes go through.They will disappear once your engine isfully broken in. Many owners report not experiencing any of thesesymptoms with the TRX 2.5. We recommend replacing the glowplug with a new one after the engine break in procedure.

Engine Break-in ProcedureThe focus during break-in is to vary and limit the engine speed.This will be accomplished by accelerating and stopping at differentrates for the first 5 tanks of fuel. As the engine begins to break-in,the duration and intensity of the acceleration will graduallyincrease. Sustained high-speed running is not permitted until the6th tank of fuel. Perform the initial break-in on a large, flat, pavedsurface. Apply all throttle and braking actions gently. Abruptacceleration or braking could cause the engine to stallunnecessarily.

Special break-in fuels are not recommended. Use the same fuelyou plan to use everyday.If possible, avoid breaking-in the engine on extremely hot orcold days.Pay careful attention to the fuel level. Do not allow the fuel tank

to run completely empty. An extremely low fuel level causesthe mixture to run too lean.This could result in a burned glowplug or extremely high engine temperatures.Keep extra glow plugs handy (Traxxas part #3231).The break-inprocess can cause deposits to form on the plug leading to plugfailure.

Follow the instructions exactly for each of the first 6 tanks of fuel.

Starting Your TRX 2.5 Racing Engine for the First TimeBefore you start your TRX 2.5 racing engine for the first time, makesure you have read all instructions and precautions in this manual.Pay close attention to the tank-by-tank break-in instructions inthe next section, and make sure you have read and understoodthem before you run your engine.

Your engine must be at room temperature (70°F or 21° C) orabove the first time you start it. If it’s cooler than roomtemperature outside, keep your Nitro Rustler indoors until you’reready to start it, then take it outside.

1. Turn on the radio system according to the instructions on pages 18 and 19.

2. Make sure the throttle is in the idle position.3. Connect the EZ-Start controller according to the instructions on

page 31.4. Press the starter button and watch for fuel moving through the

fuel line up to the carburetor.Watch closely! The fuel moves veryfast. If the fuel doesn’t move through the line within 5 seconds,prime the engine by briefly (one or two seconds) covering theexhaust outlet until the fuel is just visible in the carburetor fuelline. Watch carefully! If the engine is primed too long, it willflood with fuel and stop turning.

5. Once fuel reaches the carburetor, the engine should quickly startand idle.

6. Disconnect the EZ-Start controller from the model.7. Proceed with the engine break-in.

If your engine doesn’t start, see Troubleshooting Your Nitro Rustleron page 39.

▼

▼▼

▼


33

As you gainexperience in thehobby, you may

discover that many peoplehave differing opinions onwhat is the properprocedure to break-in amodel engine. Only use theTraxxas break-in procedure.Other break-in procedurescould result in a weak,damaged, or otherwise poorperforming engine. Theprocedure outlined herewas extensively tested andproven to yield betterperforming engines thanother “common” break-inmethods. Even if you haveyears of experience usingmodel engines, please donot ignore this caution!

Tank 11. Drive the model with the body off.2. Driving procedure: Gently pull the throttle trigger to 1/4

throttle over a 2-second count. Then gently apply the brake tostop. Count the two seconds out while accelerating: onethousand one, one thousand two, and then stop. Operate thethrottle trigger as smoothly as you can. Repeat this starting andstopping procedure until the first tank of fuel is nearly empty.

3. Look for thick blue smoke exiting the exhaust outlet. If there isno smoke, richen the high-speed needle 1/4 turn, by turning theneedle counterclockwise.

4. When the fuel tank is nearly empty, shut off the engine bypinching the fuel line connected to the carburetor.

5. Let the engine cool for 15 minutes.Note: If at any point the engine cuts out or stalls during gentleacceleration, richen the high-speed needle 1/4 turn by turning theneedle counterclockwise.

Tank 21. From tank 2 forward, the Nitro Rustler should be driven with the

body on.2. Driving procedure: Gently pull the throttle trigger to 1/2

throttle over a 2-second count. Then gently apply the brake tostop. Count the two seconds out while accelerating: onethousand one, one thousand two, and then stop. Repeat thisstarting and stopping procedure until the second tank of fuelis nearly empty.

3. When the fuel tank is nearly empty, shut off the engine and let itcool for 15 minutes.

Tank 31. Driving procedure: Gently pull the throttle trigger to 1/2

throttle over a 3-second count. Then gently apply the brake to stop. Count the three seconds out whileaccelerating: one thousand one, onethousand two, one thousand three, and thenstop. Repeat this starting and stoppingprocedure until the third tank of fuel isnearly empty.

2. As the engine loosens, the idle speed mayincrease and cause the model to try to creepforward when stopped. Reduce the idle

speed by turning the idle adjustment (see page 22) on thecarburetor counterclockwise.

3. When the fuel tank is nearly empty, shut off the engine andrefuel. From here on, you do not need to let the engine coolbetween tanks.

Tank 41. Driving procedure: Gently pull the throttle trigger to full

throttle over a 3-second count. Then gently apply the brake tostop. Count the three seconds out while accelerating: onethousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, and thenstop. Repeat this starting and stopping procedure until thefourth tank of fuel is nearly empty.

2. Apply the throttle gradually! Your finger should not reach fullthrottle until the end of the three-second count.

3. Keep your driving smooth and consistent.4. When the fuel tank is nearly empty, shut off the engine and

refuel.

Tank 51. Driving procedure: Gently pull the throttle trigger to full

throttle over a 3-second count, hold for 2 more seconds, andthen gently apply the brake to stop. Count the five seconds outwhile accelerating. Repeat this starting and stoppingprocedure until the fifth tank of fuel is nearly empty.

2. When the fuel tank is nearly empty, shut off the engine andrefuel.

Tank 6During the sixth tank of fuel, the engine can be tuned for generalperformance use. Proceed to the next section in this manual.

Tank12345

Throttle1/41/21/2FullFull

Time2 Seconds2 Seconds3 Seconds3 Seconds5 Seconds

Cool15 Minutes15 Minutes

---

BodyOffOnOnOnOn

NotesApply throttle gradually.Apply throttle gradually.Reduce idle speed if necessary.Keep your driving consistent.Accelerate over 3 second count,hold for 2 seconds.

34


When adjusting thelow-speed fuelmixture, it is very

important to make severalhigh-speed runs with theNitro Rustler betweenadjustments to clear out anyexcess fuel. Perform thepinch test immediately after.If the engine is allowed toidle for a long period of time,it could “load up” with fueland give you an inaccuratemeasurement from yourpinch test.

For yourconvenience, thelow-speed needle

has a positive stop thatprevents it from being overtightened and damaging theneedle and seat. This alsoprovides an easy way togauge how many turns outfrom closed the low-speedneedle adjustment is set to.

When tuning forperformance, watchclosely to notice

when there is no longer anyincrease in speed or powerwhen the high-speedmixture is lean. If you leanthe high-speed mixture tothe point that the enginecuts-out, hesitates, or stalls,you are well into the dangerzone and engine damage islikely. Richen the high-speedneedle 1/4 turn and retune.

Tuning the TRX 2.5 for Best PerformanceThe engine’s performance depends on the fuel mixture. Turn themixture needles clockwise to lean the fuel mixture andcounterclockwise to richen it. Leaning the fuel mixture willincrease engine power up to the engine’s mechanical limits.Never run the engine too lean (not enough fuel flow). Neverlean the engine until it begins to cut-out or stall. Leaning theengine beyond the safe allowable limits will result in poorperformance and almost certain engine damage. Indicationsof an overly lean mixture include:

Cutting out or sudden loss of power during acceleration. Overheating (temperature beyond 270° F at the glow plug)Little or no blue smoke coming from the exhaust.

If any of these conditions are present, stop immediately andrichen the high speed mixture 1/4 turn. The engine willprobably be slightly rich at that setting and you can then retunefor performance. Always tune for performance by starting richand moving leaner toward the ideal setting. Never try to tunefrom the lean side. There should always be a light stream of bluesmoke coming from the exhaust.

Before you begin tuning, the engine should be warmed up to itsnormal operating temperature and running slightly rich. All finaltuning adjustments must be made to the engine at its normaloperating temperature. You can tell the engine is running richby noting any of the following:

Sluggish acceleration with blue smoke coming from the exhaust.There is unburned fuel spraying from the exhaust tipLeaning the high-speed fuel mixture increases performance

High-Speed Fuel Mixture AdjustmentWith the engine warm and running at a rich setting, graduallylean the high-speed fuel mixture in 1/16 turn increments. Makeseveral high-speed passes with the Nitro Rustler after eachadjustment to clear out the engine and note any change inperformance. The TRX-2.5 is extremely powerful. Remember toapply the throttle gradually to prevent wheelies or loss of

control. Continue this procedure until one of the followingconditions exist:

1. There is no longer any performance improvement2. The engine begins to cut out at high speed (Danger!)3. There is a sudden loss of power during acceleration (Danger!)4. The engine begins to overheat. Symptoms of

overheating include:

Steam or smoke coming from the engine (not exhaust)Hesitation or stalling during accelerationPopping or clattering sound when decelerating(detonation)Fluctuating idle speedTemperature measurement above 270° F at the glow plug

If any one of the above conditions occurs, the fuel mixture isalready past the maximum safe lean setting. Richen the fuelmixture to the optimum setting by richening the high-speedneedle at least 1/8 turn counterclockwise and retest. This settingwill extend engine component life.

▼▼

▼▼

▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼


35

Low-Speed Fuel Mixture AdjustmentThe low-speed mixture is always set after the high-speed needleis correctly adjusted. The low-speed mixture will be set using thepinch test.

1. Once the engine is warm, do several high-speed runs toconfirm that the high-speed needle is set correctly.

2. Bring the vehicle in and pinch closed the fuel line going intothe carburetor. The engine should run for 2-3 seconds, speedup, and then die.

3. If the engine runs longer than 3 seconds, then lean thelow-speed needle 1/16 turn, make several more high-speed runs, and retest.

4. If the engine dies immediately without speeding up, thenrichen the low-speed needle 1/8 turn, make several morehigh-speed runs, and retest.

When the low-speed needle is set correctly, the engine’s throttleresponse should be very quick, possibly even to the point ofmaking it difficult to keep the Nitro Rustler from doing awheelie when you accelerate!

Idle Speed AdjustmentOnce the high and low-speed mixtures have been set, reducethe idle speed to the minimum reliable idle speed. Remember,this adjustment should be made while the engine is running atnormal operating temperature.

1. Turn the throttle trim on the transmitter so that the brakesare applied. This ensures that the throttle slide is restingagainst the idle adjustment screw.

2. If necessary, remove the air filter to gain access to the idleadjustment screw.

3. Turn the screw counterclockwise to reduce the idlespeed, or clockwise to increase it. The idle speed shouldbe set as low as possible while still maintaining reliablerunning characteristics.

4. Reset the throttle trim on the transmitter

Fine-Tuning the CarburetorAfter fine-tuning your TRX 2.5 racing engine at the end of thebreak-in procedure, no major adjustments to the fuel mixtureare usually necessary. Make note of the temperature, humidity,and barometric pressure at the time you finished fine tuningyour carburetor. Current weather conditions can be foundonline from national websites, local TV news websites, andTelevision. This information will be considered your baselinesetting. You may need to adjust your carburetor needles tocompensate for changes in temperature and barometricpressure (air density) from day to day. Generally, you’ll need torichen the fuel mixture when the weather is colder than yourbaseline temperature and the air density is higher. Lean the fuelmixture when weather is warmer than your baselinetemperature and the air density is lower. The chart belowprovides general guidelines on how weather conditions affectair density when they move higher or lower than your baselinesetting (see page 28 for detailed info on how air density affectsmixture settings).

If the...Humidity

Pressure (barometer)

Temperature

Altitude

Nitro %

is..LowerHigherLowerHigherLowerHigherLowerHigherLowerHigher

then the air density is...Slightly more denseSlightly less denseLess denseMore denseMore denseLess denseMore denseLess dense

adjust (correct) the fuel mixture to be...Slightly richerSlightly leanerLeanerRicherRicherLeanerRicherLeanerLeanerRicher

Check the Traxxaswebsite for additionalinformation on base

line settings for your area.

36

Tuning The Engine By TemperatureThe following procedures require anoptional infrared temperature probeor on-board temperature gauge(Traxxas on-board digitaltemperature gauge, part#4090).Engine temperature can be used asan effective tuning aid when you understand the relationshipbetween engine temperature and ambient temperature.

The engine operating temperature, when tuned for maximumperformance, will vary according to atmospheric conditions. Theatmospheric condition that has the most influence on enginetemperature is air temperature. Expect the engine temperatureto vary almost in direct proportion to atmospheric temperature.Assuming you tuned the engine for the same maximumperformance each day, the engine will run about twentydegrees hotter when it’s ninety degrees outside than it would inseventy-degree weather. For this reason, we cannot give you adefinitive temperature range that indicates the best possibleengine tuning.

The temperature gauge can aid you in tuning by giving you arelative indication of how your adjustments are affecting theengine and by preventing you from exceeding maximumengine temperature. For example, as you lean the fuel mixture,the engine performance will increase along with thetemperature. If you continue to lean the fuel mixture and thetemperature increases but the engine performance does notchange, then you have exceeded the maximum safe leansetting.

Even if it’s 100°F outside, you should be able to tune formaximum performance. Try to keep your engine from exceeding270°F when measured at the glow plug. If tuning for maximumperformance results in engine temperature exceeding 270°F, tryto increase airflow tothe engine by cuttingout the rear of thebody, windshield, andfront valance. If theengine temperaturestill cannot be keptbelow 270°F, richenthe high-speedneedle slightly.


37

Driving the Nitro Rustler

IntroductionYour TRX 2.5 racingengine is broken in, thefuel mixture isbalanced, and the idleis set…now it’s time tohave some fun! Thissection containsinstructions on drivingand making adjustments toyour Nitro Rustler. Before you goon, here are some important precautions to keep in mind.

Don’t run your Nitro Rustler in water, mud, snow, or wetgrass. It’s tempting, but water and mud are easily drawnthrough the air filter and will severely damage the engine.Small amounts of moisture can cause electronics to fail andloss of control over your Nitro Rustler.

The TRX 2.5 is extremely powerful. Remember to apply thethrottle gradually to prevent wheelies or loss of control.

Don’t hold the Nitro Rustler off the ground and rev theengine excessively with no load on the engine. This practicecould result in internal engine damage. Avoid over-revvingthe engine when the Nitro Rustler is airborne after a jump.

Avoid excessive high-speed running for extended periods oftime or over long distances. This could cause the engine tobuild up enough speed to exceed maximum safe RPM limits.

Don’t drive your Nitro Rustler with drive train damage of anykind. The engine could be damaged due to overloads on theengine caused by drivetrain friction, or over-revving causedby loose or missing parts.

Don’t tow anything with your Nitro Rustler. The engine iscooled by airflow created by speed. Towing creates a highload on the engine, and at the same time limits cooling ofthe engine due to low vehicle speed.

If your Nitro Rustler gets stuck, stop driving immediately.Move the vehicle and then continue driving.

When jumping, apply some throttle while the Nitro Rustler isin the air to keep the truck’s nose up and land level on all 4wheels. Be careful not to over-rev the engine or land at fullthrottle. Either could seriously damage your Nitro Rustler. Ifthe nose of the truck is too high, then quickly tap the braketo level the truck in the air.

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

Once you become familiar with driving your Nitro Rustler, youmay wish to make adjustments for better driving performance.

Adjusting the Slipper ClutchThe Nitro Rustler features an adjustable slipper clutch on thespur gear to help protect the drive train from sudden shockloads (such as landing off of jumps with the engine at fullthrottle). Under normal conditions the slipper clutch should notslip. Before adjusting the slipper clutch, turn the model off. Donot adjust the slipper clutch while the engine is running.

Use the supplied glow plug (universal) wrench to tighten theslipper nut (clockwise) until it stops, and then back the nut out1/4 of a turn. If you notice any decrease in performance aftermaking changes to the slipper clutch adjustment, then it maybe too loose. The slipper must not be allowed to slip duringnormal acceleration or the slipper could be damaged.

Adjusting the Toe-inGeometry andalignment specs playan important roll inyour truck’s handling,so take the time to setthem correctly. Set thesteering trim on your transmitter to neutral. Now, adjust your tierods so that both wheels are pointing straight ahead and areparallel to each other (0 degrees toe in). This will ensure thesame amount of steering in both directions. If you run out ofadjustment, then the steering servo will have to be re-centered(see “centering your servos on page 20). For increased stabilityadd 1-2 degrees of toe in to each front wheel. Use theturnbuckles to adjust the alignment.

Adjusting the CamberThe camber angle of both the front and rear wheels can beadjusted with the camber rods (upper turnbuckles). Use asquare or right-angle triangle to set the camber accurately.Adjust the front wheels to 0 degrees of camber (wheelperpendicular to the ground). In the rear, adjust the wheels

to 1 to 2 degrees ofnegative camber.These adjustmentsshould be set with thecar positioned at itsnormal ride height.

Fine Tuning the ShocksThe four shocks (oil dampers) on yourNitro Rustler have tremendous influenceon its handling. Whenever you rebuildyour shocks, or make any changes to thepistons, springs or oil, always do itcarefully and in sets (front or rear). Pistonhead selection depends on the range ofoil viscosities that you have available. Forexample, using a two-hole piston withlightweight oil will give you the samedamping as a three-hole piston withheavier oil. We recommend using two-hole pistons with a range of oil viscositiesfrom 10W to 40W (available from yourhobby shop). The thinner viscosity oils(30W or less) flow with less resistanceand provide less damping, while thicker oils provide moredampening. Use only 100% pure silicone shock oil to prolongseal life. From the factory, the Nitro Rustler uses 30W oil.

The ride height for the Nitro Rustler can be adjusted by addingor removing the clip-on spring pre-load spacers. Note thatchanges in ride height will occur when changes in shock angleor spring rates are made. You can compensate for ride heightchanges by changing the pre-load spacers on the shocks

38

Adjusting Your Nitro Rustler

0°0°

-1° -1°

Toe

Camber

39

The following section addresses some very basic engine andradio questions you may have about your Nitro Rustler. Mostquestions arise from simple user errors or minor adjustments thatare easy to correct. If you can’t find a solution for your NitroRustler here, then visit our Web site at www.Traxxas.com and clickon the Customer Support menu.There you will find a much moreextensive and detailed online troubleshooting area. In addition,you may call Traxxas Customer Service at 1-888-TRAXXAS (outsidethe US call 972-265-8000).

Radio system does not work properly:If the power light on the transmitter does not come on, checkfor proper battery installation and that the batteries are newand/or fully charged. If the power light is blinking, then thetransmitter batteries are weak and should be replaced. Seepage 13 for more details.If the transmitter light is on but the radio is still notresponding, check for proper installation of the receiverbatteries and that the batteries are new and/or fully charged.Check to make sure the on/off switch on the model is in theon position. Finally, if there is still no response check the redand black wires that connect the battery pack to the “batt”terminal on the receiver (you will have to remove the receivercover). Make sure the wires are not pinched or damaged andthat the plug is secure in the receiver. See page 14 for moredetails.

Short radio range:If the radio range appears short, then first check to make surethe transmitter antenna is fully extended and that theantenna in the Nitro Rustler is in place and has not been cutor damaged. Next, make sure the batteries are all fullycharged. Finally, if you are still experiencing short range, try adifferent location. Sometimes there can be interference fromvarious sources that can cause your radio to malfunction.

Engine will not spin (EZ-Start will not turn the engine):If neither LED on the controller lights, the EZ-Start batterycould be discharged or improperly connected. Inspect andrecharge if necessary.

If the glow plug LED lights and the motor LED does not, thenthe EZ-Start controller is in protection mode. Allow thecontroller to cool for at least three minutes.The circuitryshould automatically reset.Check to make sure the wires are connected to the EZ-Startmotor in the Nitro Rustler.The red wire should connect to thepositive motor terminal, indicated by a red dot next to theterminal.The engine could be flooded. If too much fuel accumulates inthe combustion chamber at start up, the engine willhydraulically lock. Follow the procedure on page 40 forclearing a flooded engine.Check for binding at the engine flywheel. If you are not able toturn the engine by hand, the engine could be flooded, therecould be binding in the clutch system, or there could beinternal engine damage. (Note: It is normal for the engine tobe extremely tight and hard to turn when the piston reachesthe top of the compression stroke.)

Engine extremely sluggish, hard to start, and will not idleduring tank 1 of the break in:

It is possible that the factory adjusted break-in settings onyour carburetor are too rich for your geographic location,atmospheric conditions, or fuel brand. Extremes intemperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and altitude can’talways be accounted for with a single high-speed needlesetting.The symptoms described above can occur when theair density is very low such as in high mountainous elevations,and extremely cold temperatures. Under these conditions,lean the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8 turn, to see if there is anyimprovement in starting and idling. Only lean the fuel mixturejust until the engine will run and idle reliably and thenproceed with the break in.

The contents of different brands of fuel (other than TraxxasTop Fuel) in combination with extreme atmosphericconditions can also make the factory preset break-in settingstoo rich and cause the symptoms described above. Again, tryleaning the fuel mixture slightly, 1/8 turn, to see if there is anyimprovement in starting and idling.

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

Troubleshooting Your Nitro Rustler

40

Engine spins but will not start:If the engine is spinning but will not start, first check to makesure that both the motor and glow plug LEDs on the EZ-Startcontroller light when the button is depressed. If the glowplug LED does not light, make sure the blue glow plug wire istightly connected and is not damaged in any way. If the wireis good, then replace the glow plug. It is normal for glowplugs to require periodic replacement. Only use Traxxasheavy-duty long glow plugs (part #3231).Check to make sure the fuel is getting to the carburetor.Remove the fuel line where it connects to the carburetor tosee if there is fuel in it. If not, you may need to prime theengine. Reconnect the fuel line and then refer to page 32 forinstructions on priming the engine.Check your fuel mixture settings. It may be necessary toadjust the fuel mixture if the outside temperature orbarometric pressure has changed significantly since the last time the engine was run (see Fine Tuning theCarburetor on page 36). Turn the high-speed needle out(rich/counterclockwise) 1/4 turn, hold the throttle trigger atabout 1/2 throttle and try again to start the engine. Oncestarted, retune the engine for performance (see page 35).The engine could be worn. If the fit between the piston andsleeve is loose, compression is reduced and the engine will bedifficult to start when it is warm, and may tend to stall whenrunning and when the throttle is closed suddenly to idle.Engine life depends on many factors including fuel type, airfilter maintenance, needle settings, and how the engine wasused. For example, if the engine was allowed to ingest dirtfrom lack of air filter maintenance or running through water,then the internal engine components could wear outextremely fast.

Engine performance sluggish:Engine performance depends mostly on the fuel mixturesettings and how they compensate for the currentatmospheric conditions. Before you suspect other failures withthe engine, richen the high-speed needle at least 1/4 turn andthen retune the engine for performance (see page 35).

If the fuel mixture seems to be set correctly, make sure thefuel is fresh. If the fuel is old, or was left uncapped for a longperiod, then some of the important fuel components couldhave evaporated. Try new, fresh, Traxxas Top FuelTry a new Traxxas 3231 glow plug. Sometimes a glow plugwill work well enough to start the engine but not be able todeliver the engine’s full performance potential.Check to make sure there is no binding in the driveline thatwould cause excessive loads on the engine.

Clearing a Flooded Engine:If the engine is primed for too long during startup, then it canbecome flooded with fuel. When the engine is flooded it will nolonger turn due to excess fuel in the combustion chamberpreventing upward movement of the piston. Use the followingprocedure to clear a flooded engine.

1. Remove the blue glow plug wire.

2. Remove the glow plug and gasket with the glow plugwrench supplied with your model. A 5/16 nut driver will alsowork.

3. Turn the model upside down and plug in the EZ-Start controller.

4. Push the EZ-Start button for several seconds to clear theengine of excess fuel

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 andpush the EZ-Start button. The engine should startimmediately.

▼▼

▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼

Troubleshooting Your Nitro Rustler

41

If the engine isworn or damagedenough to require

replacing the piston,sleeve, or connecting rod,consider exchanging yourold engine for a brand newengine under the terms ofthe Traxxas Lifetime EngineReplacement Plan (ERP). Itcould save you time andeffort. Details are in yourmodel’s documentationpackage or on our website.

The TRX 2.5 isdesigned to be easyto rebuild. Criticalengine components

such as the crankcase,crankshaft, and enginebearings are made toextremely high qualitystandards and shouldunder normalcircumstances outlastmultiple sets of pistons,sleeves, connecting rods,and wrist pins(reciprocating assemblies).It could be moreeconomical for you tocontinue to use your goodbearings and crankshafts,and simply replace thereciprocating assembly asneeded. Engine assembly isnot difficult and replacingthe reciprocating assemblydoes not require anyspecial tools or skills.

Your Nitro Rustler requires timely maintenance in order to stay intop running condition. Neglecting the maintenance could allowdirt, deposits, and moisture to build up inside the engineleading to internal engine failure. The following proceduresshould be taken very seriously.

After each hour of running:Clean and re-oil the air filter.The instructions for thisprocedure are on page 27. We cannot stress enough thevalue of cleaning your air filter at the scheduled intervals.Do not neglect your air filter maintenance!

Clean the outside of the engine of accumulated dirt, oil, andgrime. Accumulated grime will decrease the engine’s ability tocool itself.

After each running session:Perform after-run maintenance on the engine.This clears theengine of destructive moisture and other corrosive deposits.This is extremely important for the life of the engine. Seepage 42 for after-run maintenance procedures.

Inspect the vehicle for obvious damage or wear. Look for:1. Loose or missing screws2. Cracked, bent, or damaged parts 3. Cut or loose wiring 4. Cut or kinked fuel lines5. Signs of fuel leakage

Inspect the gears for wear,broken teeth, or debrislodged between the teeth.

Other periodic maintenance:Slipper clutch pegs (frictionmaterial):The slipper clutchpegs will wear over time andrequire replacement.The lifeof the pegs depends on how the slipper clutch was adjustedand how the Nitro Rustler was used. If the slipper will nottighten or you are seeing signs of wear on the face of the gear,

then the pegs should be replaced.Piston/sleeve: The life of the piston andsleeve will vary greatly with how theengine was used and maintained.Thepiston and sleeve should be replacedwhen they no longer seal effectively(loss of compression). Symptoms includethe engine being difficult to start whenwarm, stalling when warm, and stallingwhen throttle is suddenly closed to idle.Replace the wrist pin and G-clipwhenever the piston and sleeve arereplaced.

Connecting rod: The connecting rodshould be replaced when the piston andsleeve are replaced or after three gallonsof fuel, whichever comes first. Alsoreplace the piston wrist pin and G-clip whenever theconnecting rod is replaced. As with other internal enginecomponents, connecting rod life depends engine’s usageand the quality and frequency of the engine maintenance.

EZ-Start: The cush drive elements in the EZ-Start driveunit should be inspected after 3-gallons of fuel. If the cushdrive elements appear deformed or hardened they shouldbe replaced. Inspect the EZ-Start gears for any signs ofwear. Damaged gears should be replaced. Coat the gearswith a thin layer of white lithium grease.

▼▼

▼

▼▼

▼▼

▼▼

Maintaining and Storing Your Nitro Rustler

42

Maintaining and Storing Your Nitro Rustler

After-run ProcedureYou must perform after-run maintenance on your Traxxasengine whenever the model will be stored for longer than a fewhours. Taking the time to prepare your engine for storage willreward you with longer engine life, easier starting, and betterperformance.

When a nitro engine is shut off, some excess unburned fuelremains in the engine. The methanol in model engine fuel ishygroscopic, which means it easily attracts and absorbsmoisture. This moisture can cause rust and corrosion on thesteel engine parts (crankshaft, bearings, wrist pin and startershaft) if the fuel is not removed from the engine. There are afterrun oil products available from your hobby dealer or you canuse WD-40™, a common household lubricant. To ensure your TRX2.5 racing engine is protected from internal corrosion, use thefollowing procedure:

1. Whenever possible, shut off the engine by pinching the fuelline closed. This allows most of the excess fuel to beconsumed by the engine. Be sure the throttle is in the idleposition. You may have to pinch the fuel line closed forseveral seconds before the engine stops.

2. Completely empty the fuel tank. Use your fuel-dispensingbottle to suck out the old fuel. Do not mix the old fuel withyour fresh fuel supply. If you leave fuel in the tank,transporting or handling your Nitro Rustler may cause fuelto run into the engine.

3. With the fuel tank empty and the throttle at the idleposition, try to start the engine. The engine will most likelystart and run for a few seconds as it uses up any fuelremaining in the engine and fuel lines.

4. Once the engine stops, clean the outside of the engine withcompressed air or spray motor cleaner. Once the engine isclean and dry, remove the glow plug power wire, glow plug,and air filter.

5. Open the throttle fully and spray a one-second burst ofWD-40 into the carburetor and into the glow plug hole(Caution! Wear safety glasses to prevent spray from gettinginto your eyes).

6. Place a rag or paper towel over the engine to catch anyWD-40 that may come out the carburetor or glow plug hole.

7. Connect the EZ-Start controller to the model and spin theengine for 10 seconds.

8. Remove the rag or paper towel and repeat steps 5–7 twomore times.

9. Clean and re-oil the air filter so it will be ready for use nexttime. See page 27 for air filter maintenance instructions.

10. Replace the glow plug, reconnect the glow plug power wire,and reinstall the air filter.

Denatured alcohol(available fromhome centers and

paint supply stores) in aspray bottle is an extremelyeffective cleaner. Be sure towear safety glasses andgloves when working withdenatured alcohol.

Fun fact: WD-40™

stands for “waterdisplacement

attempt #40.” The WD-40™

product used today was thesuccessful 40th attempt atcreating a water-displacinglubricant. WD-40™ was thelab test label.

Be sure to followproper maintenanceand storage

procedures to avoiddamage to your engine andother components of yourNitro Rustler.

Don’t put the fuelfrom your tank backinto your fuel jug.

Dispose of it properly,following city or countyregulations.

Always wear eyeprotection whenusing compressed

air or spray cleaners andlubricants.

43

Index

ABC 23After-run maintenance 21, 41, 42After-run procedure 42Air density 28, 35Air Filter 7, 22, 23, 27, 35, 41, 42

Cleaning 21, 27foam 23maintenance 40oil 6

Air Intake 22Air temperature 36, 39-40Air/fuel mixture 28Air/fuel ratio 28, 29, 32Airflow 36Ambient temperature 36Antenna (receiver) 11, 15, 39

tip 15tube 15wire 15

Antenna (transmitter) 11, 15, 39Antenna Mount 7Atmospheric conditions 28, 36, 40Axle pins 9Barometric pressure 35, 39-40Baseline setting 35Batteries 6, 12, 13, 14, 39-40

charging 30receiver 13, 14rechargeable 13, 14transmitter 13

Batteries, Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) 13Batteries, NiCad (nickel-cadmium) 6, 12, 13, 30Battery box 7Battery compartment (Transmitter) 11, 13Battery holder 11, 14

Bearings 42Big Block .15 23Binding 40Body mount 7Brake 19Bulkhead 7CA glue 9Camber 38Carb, see also Carburetor 23Carburetor 22, 23, 28, 39-40

adjustments 28barrel 23fine-tuning 35slide 25venturi 28

Channel 11, 12, 17, 18Channel number 12Charger 6, 30

peak-detecting 30timed 30

Chassis 7Clean-out 23Cleaning 41Clearing your frequency 12Clutch bell 22Combustion 28Combustion chamber 23Compression 24, 40, 41Connecting rod 23, 41Cooling fins 23Crankcase 22, 23Crankshaft 22, 23, 42Crystal 12, 18Customer service 4, 39-40Cylinder sealing 32Decals 10Drivetrain friction 37

Dyno 23E-mail 4Engine, TRX 2.5 7, 22, 26

"cutting out" 34break-in 21, 23, 32

driving procedure 33cooling 36, 41damage 27detonation 34failure 27, 41flooding 31, 39-40hesitation 34life 40, 41maintenance 41overheating 34performance 29priming 25, 32, 39-40revving 37shut off 42sluggish acceleration 34stalling 25, 32, 34, 40, 41temperature 34, 36terms 23tuning 28, 34

by temperature 36Exhaust 5, 22Exhaust fumes 32EZ-Start 6, 23, 24, 30, 39

“glow plug” LED 30, 31, 39“motor” LED 30, 31, 39battery 30, 39controller 22, 31, 39, 40, 42cush drive 30drive unit 22motor 7, 22, 31, 39plug 7, 22Protection Mode 31, 39-40Smart Start™ 30, 31

44

Index

Fit 23Flag color 12Flame-out 24Flooding, see Engine; floodingFlywheel 22, 39-40Frequency band 12, 15Fuel 5, 6, 24, 26, 40, 42

break-in fuel 32fuel dispensing bottle 6, 26

Traxxas Top Fueler 26Traxxas Top Fuel 24, 26, 40unburned 42

Fuel flow 28Fuel intake 22Fuel line (fuel tubing) 7, 22, 24, 39Fuel mixture adjustment 35

high-speed fuel mixture 34low-speed mixture 35

Fuel mixture, see also air/fuel mixture 24,34, 35, 39-40Fuel tank 7, 22, 26, 42

emptying 42filling 26fuel level 32tank lid 7, 26tank seal 26

Glow plug 24, 30, 31, 32, 34, 39-40driver 24fouled 32igniter 30power wire 22, 40, 42

Ground wire 22Half shaft 7Head (cylinder head) 22, 23Head Protector 22Header 7, 24Hex hubs 9Humidity 35

Idle adjustment screw 35Idle speed 17, 24, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35Idle Speed Adjustment 29, 33, 35Idle Speed Screw 22, 24, 29Jumping 37Lean 24, 29

leaning the mixture 24maximum safe lean setting 34-35, 36

Lubrication 29Maintenance 41Maintenance schedule 21Methanol 42Mixture needles 34

high-speed needle 22, 24, 28, 35, 39-40low-speed needle 22, 24, 28, 35

Moisture 41, 42Needle seat 28Needle settings 40Needle valve 24Negative wire 22Neutral (center) point 16-17Neutral position 12Nitro 24

content 24, 26percentage 26

compensating for 35Nitromethane, see also Nitro 24O-ring 24Oil 6

after-run 6, 42filter 6WD-40™ 6, 42

On/Off switch 7, 11, 14, 18, 39-40Over revving 37Peak detection, see ChargerPinch test 35Pipe (tuned) 7, 22, 24, 25Pipe hanger 7

Piston 24, 32wrist pin 41, 42

Piston and Sleeve 40, 41Port 24Positive Wire 22Power Switch 11Pressure Line 7, 22Priming, see Engine; primingProGraphix 10Punch 25Quick Start 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20,26, 30, 31, 32, 34, 37, 41Radio interference 5, 20Radio System 11, 12, 19, 39-40

adjustments 16controls 16range-testing 20rules 18terminology 12terms 12

Range 14, 15, 18, 20, 39-40short 39-40

Receiver 11, 12, 39cover (box) 7, 39-40

Receiver Crystal 7Required equipment 6Rich 25, 29Ride height 38RPM 25

limits 37Safety 5Servo reversing switches 11, 16Servos 7, 11, 12

reversing 11, 17steering 7, 11, 17, 19throttle/brake 7, 11, 16-17, 19

Shipping 4Shock Tower 7

45

Shocks 7, 38Fine Tuning 38

Skid Plate 7Sleeve 25, 32Slipper Clutch 7, 38, 41

adjusting 38pegs 41

Smoke 34Spur Gear 7Stalling, see Engine; stallingStarter shaft 42Starting, see Engine; startingSteering mechanism 19Steering Trim, Electronic 11, 12, 17, 19Steering Wheel 11, 19Storage 42Supplies 6Support 4, 39-40Suspension Arms 7Tank 1 33Tank 2 33Tank 3 33Tank 4 33Tank 5 33Tank 6 33Temperature, see Engine; temperatureTemperature gauge 36

digital temperature gauge 36infrared temperature probe 36

Throttle Arm 22Throttle Neutral Adjustment 11, 16Throttle response 35Throttle slide 35Throttle Trigger 11, 16, 19Throttle Trim, Electronic 11, 12, 16, 19, 35Tie Bar 7Tie Rod 7Toe-in 38

Tools 6Transmission 7Transmitter 12, 18, 39

indicator light 19power indicator 11, 13

Traxxas Lifetime Engine ReplacementPlan 41Trim, see also Throttle Trim and SteeringTrim 12Troubleshooting 39-40Turnbuckle 7TQ, see Radio SystemWater 40Wear-in 25Weather conditions 35Wheelies 34Wheels 9Wiring diagram 11WOT 25, 28X-tal see also Crystal 12

Index

46

If you have any questions about your Nitro Rustler or its operation, call the Traxxas Technical Support line toll-free at: 1-888-TRAXXAS (1-888-872-9927)

Nitro RustlerOwner’s Manual

Model4410

Traxxas Corporation, 1100 Klein Road, Plano, Texas 75074, Phone: 972.265.8000, Toll-free 1-888-TRAXXASTraxxas U.K., P.O. Box 1128, Winterbourne, Bristol BS17-2SH, England, Phone: 44.117.956.1002

Internet: www.Traxxas.com, www.T-Maxx.com

Documents

Nitro Rustler Owners Manual - Horizon Hobby · Thank you for purchasing the Traxxas Nitro Rustler stadium truck.The Nitro Rustler is equipped with the all-new TRX 2.5 Racing Engine™