I went to my LHS and bought 5 new glow plugs just so I have some spares. Both my LHS and Traxxas said it sounded like it was running too rich. I changed glow plugs, reset to traxxas factory settings on the HSN and LSN. Tried to start it and got it to briefly start once, died and tried to start it again and it turned over and just would not start. Traxxas manual says 4 turns out from closed on HSN and LSN flush with washer. I had to go to 6 full turns from closed and maybe .5mm past flush on the LSN to get it to run somewhat decently and actually start. At around 4 1/2-5 full turns it would run up to second gear and just stutter and/or die going into second. Made all adjustments an hour or a click at a time. As I richened the HSN I was able to lean out the LSN a little bit so it's closer to factory setting but still on the rich side from that. I feel like it's still rich, back of the car up to the shocks is very oily and there are drip marks on the pavement where the exhaust drips. I get lots of blue smoke past 1/4 throttle and then once it gets to about where it wants to shift into second the smoke tapers off. LSN may still be a bit rich. Only thing odd I noticed is that turning the needle for the HSN also turns the bronze nut underneath a little.

I now definitely think it overheated and probably cooked the glow plug. I think it was running rich on the bottom somewhat and super lean on top. Break in was mostly 1/4 to 1/2 throttle 2-3 second runs and even going to WOT was very brief really. I wonder if there's perhaps something wrong with the HSN?

Also for the glow plug being loose, I don't know if overheating could have caused that but the plug was dead. I was using the supplied wrench and maybe I didn't torque it on enough when I replaced it? I used my 8mm socket and driver and torqued a little past snug with the new one and it seemed to still be on there tight after a full tank run.