User Manual

If you are having problems with your engine, consult the
ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWCHART on page 11 of
this manual. The following are some potential problems.
GLOW PLUG
The glow plug is an item that will wear out and need
replacement from time to time. It is a good idea to remove the
glow plug before your first run, attach it to the glow starter
and see how well it glows. You should see a bright orange
glow from the filament. If a coil or two will not glow or the
plug will not glow at all, replace the plug. If the engine quits
when you remove the glow starter, the plug might need to be
changed, although this may be because you are running too
rich and need to screw in your high-speed needle some. Look
at the glow plug when you are running the engine. If you see
some bubbles coming from around the plug, replace the glow
plug (copper) gasket, or both the plug and the gasket. The
only real way to test a glow plug is to replace it. Make sure
you have a spare plug or two on hand every time that you run
the U-18 Miss Vegas Hydroplane.
FUEL
Fuel can go bad. The main ingredient in model fuel is
methanol, which is basically a form of alcohol. Alcohols can
absorb water out of the air, so keep your fuel jug capped at all
times. Store your fuel out of the sunlight and in a cool place.
Bad fuel is one of the most difficult problems to diagnose in
engines. If you have tried everything you can think of to
remedy an engine that is not running correctly, try using some
fresh fuel.
FUEL LINE
Fuel line is susceptible to pinhole leaks. You will not be able
to see a hole in the fuel line, but if you see bubbles in the line
going to the carburetor, replace the fuel line. Another
symptom of a leak in the fuel line is a surging engine. A
properly tuned engine will surge when the air bubbles enter
the carburetor. It is basically leaning out the mixture.
OVERHEATING
One of the worst things you can do to your engine is overheat
it. The oils that lubricate the engine are carried in the fuel. If
your engine is set too lean, there will not be enough oil in the
engine to lubricate the internal parts. This will cause
premature wear in the engine and cause damage.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO DO THE FOLLOWING. Using the
provided 10mm and 15mm wrenches, loosen the cable
coupler and slide the cable out the back of the boat. Make
sure there is adequate grease on the shaft. Reinstall the cable
leaving about 3mm [1/8"] between the back of the strut and
the front of the drive dog. Tighten the cable coupler making
sure it is tight. To check that you have the shaft tight, place a
rag over the prop and pull firmly on the shaft/prop.
• Before running your U-18 Miss Vegas Hydroplane, it is
also a good idea to check the water-cooling system to
make sure all tubes are properly connected.
• Check over all screws to make sure they are securely fastened.
• Total run time of the U-18 Miss Vegas Hydroplane is
approximately 6-8 minutes (assuming you begin with a full
tank of fuel). When you notice an increase in power, it
means the fuel tank is nearly empty and it’s time to head
for shore. As soon as the boat reaches shore, stop the
engine by pushing forward on the throttle trigger; turn off
the receiver, and finally the transmitter (in that order).
• CAUTION: The engine will be hot! Allow it to cool for a
few minutes before restarting.
• Your U-18 Miss Vegas Hydroplane may occasionally take
on small amounts of water, especially when running in
rough water. Keep a roll of paper towels handy and dry out
the hull interior after every run. If you notice excessive
amounts of water in the hull, remove the drain plug in the
transom to conveniently drain water from the hull.
• Always store your U-18 Miss Vegas Hydroplane with the
canopy/hatch cover removed to allow the interior to dry
out completely. If you neglect to do this, it may result in
corrosion of the electronic components.
• IMPORTANT: If, for whatever reason, your boat takes on a
large amount of water, swamps or sinks, causing the radio
equipment to get wet, you must do the following
immediately: Remove the battery pack and radio
equipment from the boat. Allow all of the components to
air dry completely before reassembling. Reinstall the
components and check for proper operation before
running the boat in water.
• Avoid running the boat in cold weather. The hull and other
plastic parts can become brittle at low temperatures. In
addition, grease and oil become thick, causing premature
wear and poor performance.
LAUNCH PROCEDURE
❏ 1. Turn the power “ON” to the transmitter and receiver (in
that order).
❏ 2. Start the engine. The propeller will begin spinning as soon
as the engine is started. Be sure to stay clear of the propeller.
❏ 3. Gently place the boat in water that is at least 203mm [8”]
deep and free of obstacles (weeds, rocks, sticks, ducks,
muskrats, etc.). Be sure to stay clear of the spinning prop during
the launch.
IMPORTANT: Unlike full-scale boats, model boats race in a
clockwise circuit and it is the nature of model race boats to
make right turns more easily than left turns. If you absolutely
have to turn left, do so at very slow speed and allow yourself
plenty of room. Turning left at high speed will flip the boat!
RUNNING THE U-18 MISS VEGAS HYDROPLANE
7