Rotostart problems

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stufarri

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Hi - I'm new to nitros so please be gentle.

I bought a used Savage X 4.1 and a GV Hunter last week.

I can't get the rotostart to work on the Savage - it just seems to spin the bearing on the rear of the engine without turning the engine over.

I can turn it over by removing the glowplug and turning the silver gear on the front of the engine so I know it is not seized.

The real frustration is that the car was running when I bought it (it was started while I was there) so there was no problem.

Being a novice means I am clueless unfortunately.:duh:

Done a search but nothing came up.

Help please!
 
Hello bud and welcome to the fourm.

The problem you are having is your OWB (One Way Bearing). They are natorious for slipping. You can take it out and spray it out with brake clean and put a drop of engine oil on it and it may hold out but this is a temporary fix. The best way to do so is to replace it with a new one they run around $12-14. The Rolo is hard on this bearing the best option is to switch to pull start however the rolo is easy other than you have to carrie that huge thing around when bashing to restart the engine.

I hope this helps.
 
Welcome to the forum... i agree 100% with larsen... its your one way bearing...me personally once i break in my motors i switch to pullstart...one ways seem to last longer with pull start..
 
Thanks fellas - I was told that a new bearing was out in only a few months ago - do they not last very long?

Could it not be covered in fuel and just need cleaning or is it definately likely to be goosed?

Thanks

Stu
 
They do have problems with any electric start this problem exhausts on virtually any motor with these starters however some are worse than other as it seems. The pull start is much easier on them as they don't get the sudden jolt and the rolo for instance just keeps going even in the motor is flooded or whatever where with the pull start you can feel when you get to that point. They generally last about 1/2 to 1 gallon on the 4.1 at least that is what I had experience with when I was running one.

Some fuels have more oil content that others as well which aid in the slipping. So looking for a fuel that has less oil in them sometimes helps but you do want around 11% or more to keep your engine life span up.

What fuel are you running?
 
Errr.....great question...nitro fuel:duh: .........No seriouisly it's in the garage and I can't remember as I have only used tyhe GV Hunter twice and I have snapped the front wishbone already! (40mph & a rock v Hunter, rock won!)

I'll have look tomorrow as it's 11.00pm here in the UK and I will wake my neighbours going into the garage.

Thanks for your help - I'll post it tomorrow.

Stu
 
larsenracing said:
They do have problems with any electric start this problem exhausts on virtually any motor with these starters however some are worse than other as it seems. The pull start is much easier on them as they don't get the sudden jolt and the rolo for instance just keeps going even in the motor is flooded or whatever where with the pull start you can feel when you get to that point. They generally last about 1/2 to 1 gallon on the 4.1 at least that is what I had experience with when I was running one.

Some fuels have more oil content that others as well which aid in the slipping. So looking for a fuel that has less oil in them sometimes helps but you do want around 11% or more to keep your engine life span up.

What fuel are you running?
Click to expand...



Welcome to the Forum....this is the greatest site. Lots of valuable information.

the rolo for instance just keeps going even in the motor is flooded or whatever

:resp:

This statement is incorrect...the ROTO START has a fuse(or similar) that pops when it starts to over torque, due to the fact that your bearing is shot or you have flooded.

I suggest you get yourself on O.S. one way from the O.S.30VG engine. From my experience it lasts alot longer then the stocker. Peace.
 
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Grove is correct there is a fuse or circuit breaker kind of thing on it when it gets a hard hit. However this doesn't work very well. For instance when I broke in my very first 4.1 on my savage with the rolo it maybe tripped 2 times since I have broke in 4 engines on my savage with the same rolo and never once have had it trip again.

The rolo puts a lot more torque and stress into the OWB over a pull start because you can feel what the engine is doing better.

I agree if the OS .30 OWB is the same it will more than likely last longer however I have never heard it fits before.

Does anyone know more about this?
 
Hey stufarri. Welcome to the site, your new online savage family. I agree with my comrads, loose the sissy-stick for all the reasons mentioned. However there is one more thing that sometimes is overlooked. The starter shaft that the oneway rides on will wear down and make a new unit still slip, so it's a good idea to change it every couple bearings.
Good luck, Joey
 
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Wish I could loose the sissy-stick, but I have had absolutely no luck with pull starters. Something about the string, I always break them. I have two for the O.S.30VG. If someone would recommend something stronger, that way my sissy-arms won't break the string. :resp: Peace.
 
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well, i have the roto on my 4.6 and i would like to switch to pullstart...how do i go about that...what do i need???? where do i buy it???
 
Managed to get it going last night even though I ordered a new OWB. Grewat to have a spare though.

Felt on top of the world then realised my brake wasn't working - 10 mins of fiddling and all sorted, removed the spring and fitted some tubing instead.

Fuel I am using is Tornado fuel?

This site is the bollox, you US dudes love your Savages that's for sure.

Picked up some gereat tips and this site is far better than the UK sites I have seen. Keep up the great work!

Stu
 
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