Well, the front end alignment is one of those things that really isn't hard to do but for a lot of people seeing is what flips the "aha!" switch. I'm including a link to the Traxxas Support Youtube channel; lot's of info there for owners and links to other R/C. Traxxas Support
Firstly the engine could have breathed in some sand from the beach thus causing the lack of power , it could also be that the glow plug requires changing too, this is a common problem on nitro cars, especially when the engine gets too hot and doesnt get much cooling. Reset to factory settings on the carb(see your manual or download one) then restart , also make sure you are using the correct fuel , it must be 20% nitro. Lastly for the replacement from 2.5 to 3.3 yes you can do it . all you have to do is unbolt the old 2.5 replace with the 3.3 plumb in and wire is as before , check the messing on the spur gear. though be cautious not to over rev the engine as you will strip the spur gear.
If you use Lipo : Buy a Lipo buzzer/low voltage alarm and use that instead, that vist only a few $. Attach it on tha balance plug on the battery. When it start making noise/buzz stop driving.
Using NiMH: When the rc gets really slow - stop driving :-)
is the steering servo working ? if so you have to set it back to the center then re attach the steering rod. turn the power off to everything and disconnect everything thats connected to the steering servo. then turn your remote on and set the steering trim on the remote back to center, then turn the power on to your car. the servo will automatically set itself to the center position, and then reattach the steering rods to your servo. make sure your tires are pointing straight forward as well when you screw the stuff back onto the servo. should do it. if the servo isnt working just replace it.
Hello try to rebind your transmitter and esc, check your antenna to see if it's broke ,double check and make sure your batteries are fully charged on truck and transmitter,if that all checks out you may have a bad esc or transmitter. let me know what your results are thanks M.B.
Try tightening your slipper clutch. tighten nut all the way, then back it off aproxamently 1/3 turn. also check all electrical connections. a loose wire, especially your ground wire, can cause excessive heat and smoke
you need to pull the glow plug out and see if its good visually; look at the coil in the hole in the bottom it should look like a spring unbroken. If you have a glow stick put it on the plug and see if it glows. If you can just replace the glow plug they go bad and it may still look fine.
you need to set your main carb needle to 3 turns out from closed.
Now with the glow plug out place a clean rag over the cylinder head where the plug came out of and use you starting wand to turn the motor over........the rag is there to keep fuel from spraying in your eyes. turn the motor for 5 seconds.
Next put the plug back in and gently tighten it down with an 8mm socket. Put your plug wire back on and try to start the engine for 3 seconds. If it starts up reves high then dies try this.
Put your finger over the exhaust and turn the motor over until you see gas go into the carb the remove your finger from the exhaust and continue to crank the motor for no more than 10 seconds.....she should start now. Adjust the carb according to the manual. Have fun.
