Can't get idle low enough to stop clutch engaging

[Bryan K.]

Hey guys, so this isn't really a huge issue, but it's annoying and since I have time, might as well figure it out. I bought a used original HPI Baja last summer and it needed some TLC. Runs great now except for the issue I have listed in the title. No matter how low I set the idle, I cannot get the clutch to disengage. When I do eventually get the idle low enough to stop the clutch from engaging, the motor dies after a few seconds. Is there something wrong with my clutch? If the spring is broken, the clutch would fail to engage correct? I was thinking maybe it had a very low RPM spring and a higher RPM clutch spring would fix this issue? I've played around with carb settings to try to bring down the idle, but that doesn't work either. I've just been living with it, because it only rolls away slowly on flat ground. If I lightly tap the brakes or the thing sits on a slight incline, it won't move. Any ideas? It's a purple chassis, so I guess it's an older Baja. The thing has DDM stickers all over the motor, has an MSD ignition wire and the piston doesn't look like the stock CY. I know the housings at least are CY. The thing blows my DBXL CY30cc out of the water, so I feel like the motor might be upgraded.

 

[Striikar]

New clutch,sounds right. Did you take it apart to check for damage etc..

 

[21bangbang]

A new spring would be where I started. They only get so many stretches before they go kaput. Plus its a cheap thing to eliminate.

 

[DougStar]

+1??

A new spring would be where I started. They only get so many stretches before they go kaput. Plus its a cheap thing to eliminate.

 

[Z.hb71]

Check the spring. It might be stretched. Wouldn't be surprising as it's probably quite old (judging by the fact that it's a 1st Gen baja)

 

[siblues]

I would buy an entire clutch and replace the entire thing and you have peace of mind the clutch won't go bad in a few weeks and you will have to tear it down again.

 

[1Coopgt]

I would take a look at your throttle linkage . Make sure it can close all the way . Look at both sides of the carb and make sure that nothing is hitting any thing unusual.

 

[Seandonato73]

+1 on the new clutch

 

[Minnesota RC]

Sell it and go "E"

 

[Z.hb71]

Sell it and go "E"

 

[Minnesota RC]

I'm not gay but $20 is $20

 

[Z.hb71]

I'm not gay but $20 is $20

I am mostly and $20 is worth 40 to me if it's a dude

 

[Minnesota RC]

I am mostly and $20 is worth 40 if it's a dude

 

[Z.hb71]

HHmm what ?

 

[Minnesota RC]

I didn't know what to type at the time. I wasn't expecting that reply.

 

[Z.hb71]

I didn't know what to type at the time. I wasn't expecting that reply.

Fek im good. Made you speechless ??

 

[siblues]

Good god Z you have gone too far when you leave the members on here speechless.

 

[mark35]

I agree with the others, either stretched clutch spring or it could be as simple as adjusting your throttle linkage. ??

 

[siblues]

I would think the throttle linkage is a two minute check but all it would take is removing the servo horn on that servo and that would allow the butterfly to close if it was that.I am guessing and it would only be one screw.

 

[Bryan K.]

Definitely not the throttle linkage. As I said, if I back down the idle screw, the engine stalls. Will check the clutch and report back. Thanks guys.