k4.6 running funny after break in

[f1n3sse]

Hey guys got done breaking in my k4.6 2 day ago. followed the instructions in the manual and ran an extra tank of gas at 1/2 throttle because I went down to a 125cc tank. tried tuning it today it was pretty hot out 89 degrees and I'm not really sure whats going on. to start as i started leaning out the engine only got to about 1 full turn to lean and i was reading 433 degrees. almost poop my pants when I saw that. let it cool down and went back to factory on my hsn. temps were steady around 290-300 and started leaning it out again. couldn't get the front wheels to come off the ground for the life of me. then after i got it running somewhat ok on like 1 1/4 turns to lean i made 2 small adjustments to my lsn. leaned it out 1/2 turn. then it started pulling up. seems to me that the truck isn't reaching maximum rpms in firs gear and the truck is riding out first gear way too long before it shifts. sometimes when I gas it, and turn it around it has more power on the return pass...I went through about 6 tanks of tuning then I hit a parking block and stripped out my steering servo horn 🙂 any suggestions? do you think that 433 temp is a bogus read? using a venom on-board temp meter. also for the first 3 tanks I was in medium height grass...never again. all street or dirt for me. I just watched scrogs video of his savvy and it takes off like a rocket. thats how i want to be. right now I'm geared at 17/49 any help appreciated. thanks

 

[AllanQ]

I am not familiar with the venom onboard temp meter, but I say this is a bad reading. With the stock needle settings on that engine, the temps should not get to 300 deg, unless you have an air leak somewhere. Motor temps when properly tuned will generally be between 250 - 300 depending on the motor and weather conditions. If you can, try to get another temp gun to check temps and compare to the venom.
It sounds like the engine is still on the rich side. You should tune the HSN neeedle first, this is the needle you will adjust the most when conditons change (weather etc). When that setting is right, then adjust the LSN. In most cases the lsn is not adjusted, or may require a small adjustment.

My only other suggestion would be to not hit anymore parking blocks or other hard vertical objects, you repair bill usually gets bigger..LOL :resp:
Hope this helps you out.

 

[RangerRock]

I agree with Allan, that sounds like a bad reading. I use a PE-1 temp gun, small and lightweight and I just put it around my antenna on the remote. They can get picked up from SMF for $20ish I believe. If it is an accurate reading then you have an air leak somewhere, but I still bet its a bogus reading.

 

[f1n3sse]

I think you might be right about it being a bogus reading. I sealed my engine and tested it for leaks before i ran it. pretty sure I have no leaks

 

[SL63]

A buddy of mine has the venom combo/my bro checked it with his temp gun & it was 30 deg off! my bro has a mip & temp gun they were with in 3 deg readings , not bad for a mip on board.
SL.

 

[RangerRock]

Tell ya I don't trust the on board temp stuff....I prefer the handheld. Some have luck with them but I just don't know about that stuff...

 

[SL63]

I agree 100% Sav25 about on board temp , i was just suprised how close the mip was to the hand held.
SL

 

[f1n3sse]

is it a problem if i just tune by smoke trail and visual performance?

 

[AllanQ]

no it is not a problem doing this. general rule of thumb is to tune to performance, not to temp. As long as you have a good trail of smoke at WOT you are good. The temp gun is good to have as a back and to check the motor to see if temps spike for no reason, indicating a possible problem.
If you tune to temp you will not get the performance you want and could actually do damage to the motor.

 

[f1n3sse]

why is it a problem to tune my lsn and hsn at the same time? I acutally saw a boost in performance when doing this. I tuned my hsn for 4 tanks. going to 1 1/4 lean from flush then i tuned my lsn 1/4 turn total, 2x 1/8 turns and saw a nice boost in performance. also should i get the motor running the way i want before i adjust my shift point or do you guys just leave the shift point at stock?

 

[AllanQ]

The lsn doesn't do much except when idling. Adjusting the lsn will help the truck coming out of the hole and can affect idling also. If you try tuning both needles you will end up chasing your tune around and not get the performance you want.
You are right on the tranny. Once the engine is good, then adjust the shift point so the trans shifts when you want it to.

 

[Shaun]

ya i think if a nitro motor gets to 400 degrees it would be fried so the onboard temp guage is out as was said!!

 

[f1n3sse]

cool thanks. i fixed my servo horn and reset both my needles back to stock. tomorrow is a new day and a fresh tune. thanks guys +rep allan. boo they said i need to spread rep around before giving it to you again. thats beat street. if you help me you should be able to get rep 🙂

 

[AllanQ]

thanks anyway f1, just glad to help you out. Keep us posted on your progress