Hey guys I acquired a T-MAXX and need some help. This is all I have to offer from the pics I've put up. I need to identify the engine and the model. It starts up but the engine sounds really really bad. Sounds like a bunch of things rattling around in there like rocks or almost like plastic parts that have snapped. I am assuming it probably has to be replaced and if so I may try the TRADE UP if they take this one or possibly drop another one in. I have been in RC for years but never in Nitro. This is all new to me and am looking foward to a project for this year. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

It's a traxsucks 3.3 engine. Almost looks like a 2.5 chassis with a 3.3 trans.

So I am guessing this is junk then?

Does it idle? Stay running? You getting some blue smoke out of the stinger? Tuning is a little tricky, check out some of squirell's video's on youtube. Just search for "how to tune a nitro engine"....
You already have the engine man, mind as well get your money out of it. Run it till it blows.

No, it's not junk. The T-Maxx gets a really bad rap sometimes, but they really are some fun trucks for their intended purpose. Heck, I keep mine around so I can have something to bash with when I'm not racing. My 5 year old really likes it too...

If you're looking for the strongest, fastest, highest jumping rig out there, then it's maybe not the best, but if you're just wanting something to have fun with, it's great. Parts are available just about everywhere, and aren't that expensive, so keep it and enjoy yourself.

Regarding your engine, since it's used, the first thing you should do is pull it out of the truck, strip everything down and clean it. That's also a good time to check the clutch and replace the clutch bell bearings (which may be the rattling sound you're hearing). While you have the piston and sleeve out, try to gently push the piston up to the top. If you can get it near the top of the sleeve, it's worn out, and needs to be replaced.

If it is worn out, you can either make use of the Traxxas engine replacement program, which will be about $100 for a new motor, or go a better route and put an OS .21 TM in it. It's a much better motor, but also will cost more. If the motor is good, just clean everything up, put it all back together, and try tuning it using the method listed in the tuning bible in the nitro engne section.

Either way, have fun with your new truck....

DEFINATELY!!
After reading through some of the threads on here I am planning on keeping it and making it a fun truck which will be my first nitro. I just downloaded the manual and parts list so I can see better whats going to be inside.I am looking foward to taking it apart and trouble shooting what may be wrong. Do I need to oil the engine parts or not and what do you suggest I clean them with?

It might be junk, depends on what exactly is making the noise.

I'll tell you this much, don't spend your hard earned money on traxxas engines! The problem you now have is if you want a good engine, it will be worth more then the truck it's self. A OS.21 sells in the mid $250's but it will bolt right on using everything that came stock on the truck.

Model# 4909.
It runs and drives ok but is making a wicked buzzing sound? 3.3s are known for pooping out bearings and split connecting rods. I would tear it down and inspect the piston, sleeve and rod. While you're in there it's wise to just go ahead and change the bearings.....if the rest of the engine is still useable.

The T-Maxx is basically a get your feet wet model but with some time and careful strategy you can make it one formidable basher...It took 5 months of bashing and a bit of carnage repair to get my T-Maxxes in a really reliable state ...

I have 6 T-Maxxes...each different in every way and all run good...3 still have the 3.3 and 1 has a twin 3.3...All are still running strong and past the 6 gallon mark each...

I do a sensible break-in on each brand new engine aswell as do a rigorous after run regimine to my nitro engines after and during by changing the airfilter every tank fill to ensure maximum life which seems to work for me pretty well and ill never change that strategy either

The first thing I noticed that they are hard to keep in tune and fuel level contradicts tuning as the level depletes...

My simple solution to the situation was to enhance the fuel flow to the carb by modding the tank by flowing more fuel....

I guess its all a matter of how you look at things and how you approach a deficiency with a simple solution...

For me I have many hobbies and one is modifying pocketbikes of all types and found they all suffer from fuel deficiencies and figured that situation to be eminent aswell

The flow of the tank is horrible I came to find out after filling it with water and timing it to see how long it took to completely drain

What I found was it took a bit over 3 1/2 minutes to drain and the flow started out pretty strong and at half tank the flow got repugnantly anemic like it was dribbling out...

After stretching open the fuel output hole open and drilling open the puffer nipple in both the tank top and the exhaust pipe too I wanted to add but the tank darained in half the time and the flow remained strong throughout the evacuation...

After reinstalling the tank in my T-Maxx it ran way different,,tuning was way better and enjoyability was enhanced 10 fold when it wasnt cutting out from overheating or losing its tune too much and killing glowplugs anymore..

What did you use to stretch it open? I just put my 3.3 maxx back together and ran it last weekend. First time hearing a nitro since the fall, oh so fun But I was immediately reminded of the nightmare surrounding tuning Traxxas motors, hopefully this will help.

I tore the whole engine apart and I see the connecting rod is in pieces and the piston sleeve looks a little chewed up. I found alot of metal shavings in there. I am heading out to my local hobby shop for some parts. Thanks alot for all the info and guidance on this. I look foward to running this hopefully this weekend.

I would just abort any work on that particular engine and save yourself some time and headache and just get a new engine. There are a few guys on here with their own reccomendations, so follow there's. I am not that familiar with the Traxxas T-Maxx to offer up any good replacements, just make sure it isn't a Traxxas engine!

Well its funny you should say that Wolf. I looked more closely at the piston and I see that its pretty well chipped and metal parts are missing. Also the piston sleeve looks beat up so much that I had a hard ass time getting the piston out and thats also shot. I also found the clutch bearings in pieces and worn to death and it also looks like it needs new shoes.
Those parts alone are almost 100.00. I could trade the engine in for $110.00 plus tax and shipping. I am already more than halfway to a new engine like a os 21tm which was mentioned and also had good responses on. Its a pretty easy decision for me now. Hell I've spent way more than that on every rc car and truck I own and this one was totally free. It never gets cheaper does it???? LOL

i would just go ahead and get the os 21. when my 3.3 goes out on my t-maxx, im going to upgrade to something like that. and no it never gets cheaper,lol.

Well, with that much damage done, you got to think about how long it has been run in that condition. Where do you think those metal pieces got to? They probably tore the hell out of the crankshaft too. Plus you would have to get every single last flake of metal out of there before you even think about replacing the bearings, which requires a special tool to even pull the bearings. And after all of that hard work, your going to be left with an engine that really isn't even that great when its brand new from the factory.

So all things considered, and it does sound that you are convinced on this, it is to upgrade to a better engine that will not only have more power, but will also be able to hold one hell of a tune for a long time, and will last much longer. And when it does get that bad where it needs rebuilt, there is a guy on here that does an extremely good job bringing a worn down engine back to life again so long as it is a .21 size engine. I tried to talk him into fixing up my Axial 28 1S because its getting towards the end of its life but still running fairly decent (which by the way has been running for 3 1/2 years now without any rebuilds at all and is only on its 4th glow plug), but he can't provide his services to it because he only has equipment for .21's I believe.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/offroad-...e-filling.html

Keep that thread handy by subscribing to it, you will want it for future use.