Miss Budweiser Shaft problem.

[2fst4u]

Hello,
I bought a used Pro Boat Miss budweiser 1/12 scale r/c nitro boat a while ago. I belive this boat is the first version because the version 2 has a coil shaft which I do not have. I tried to pull start it and it was all jammed as if the engine was locked up. I removed the motor and pulled start it in my hands and engine was not locked up at all. I discovered that the shaft had locked up. I tried spinning the propeller and it is jammed tight. On the other end of the shaft that sits inside the hall has a T-bone end so I was able to get a socket wrench in there to try to torque it. Not a chance it will not move at all. I do not want to over crank it or I will break the hull. Has anyone had this problem or have any suggestion? I even tried taking the propeller off and tried to pull it out and still no go. Thanks for taking the time to read this and your input is very much apreciated. Thanks Chris.

[CG Bob]

Take the prop off, and any nuts or other fitttings between the prop and the end of the stuffing tube. Apply some penetrating oil to the shaft and allow it to work in between the shaft and stuffing tube. It may take a coiple of applications of penetrating oil to free up the shaft. Remove the shaft and thoroughly remove any old grease. Try to clean any old grease out of the stuffing tube. Apply some new greas and reinstall the shaft. IIRC, the instructions recommend clening and greasing the shaft after every 2 hours of operation.

[Massey]

To add what Bob said see if you can get a gun barrel cleaning brush that will fit inside the stuffing tube. you more than likely have alot of corrosion of the brass in there that will need to be cleaned out before using again. if your shaft is really dirty or corroded (I know it is stainless steel but it may have some brass junk on it) you can use some 00 steel whool and WD40 or a green scrubby pad and WD40. The steel whool will work the best tho. Once that is all clean inside and out then grease and reassemble, make sure it spins free and head to the lake.

Massey

[2fst4u]

Thanks for the reply guys, I took the propeller off and tried getting some grease down there and it wont go down the tube because its too tight. I tried for a solid 20 minutes and still cant. Is there anyway I can remove the entire shaft without breaking anything? Thanks

[CG Bob]

Like I said earlier, use penetrating oil. You'll have to go to a hardware or home improvement store to get it. In a pinch, WD-40 works like penetrating oil. Apply the oil to the shaft and let it soak in about 30 minutes before you try turning the shaft. If the shaft won't move, apply some more penetrating oil and wait another 30 minutes before turning the shaft. Penetrating oil needs some time to soak in or penetrate between the seized parts to work.

[2fst4u]

Ok guys, I tried doing what you stated but theres no go. I gave up so I drove to the hobby shop. The guy there tried for 30 minutes and cant get it going either. Hes say that it could be a possibility that the shaft is bent. He says that horizon hobby has a replacement warrantee, meaning that if I send the hull in they would exchange it for a new one. Does anyone know about this?

[CG Bob]

You'll have to contact Horizon (http://www.horizonhobby.com/). Generally, their warranty covers the original purchaser of the model; you don't appear to be covered since you bought the boat second hand. I checked in the manual for the Blackjack 26 (http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/Files/PRB2800_Blakcjack26_manual.pdf), which is one of their newer models. The manual for the Miss Llumar, which was released just after the Miss Bud, doesn't have any warranty info.

[2fst4u]

I took it to another hobby shop today and the guy told me that the Shaft does not appear be bent. He recomended to use a GUNK product called liquid wrench. He told me that the shaft is probably rusted and corroded and may take a couple weeks before it works its way down the shaft. Does anyone think that this would be a bad idea?

[CG Bob]

Liquid Wrench (http://www.gunk.com/lubricants.asp) is one brand of penetrating oil. I think some one already recommended using penetrating oil.

[green-boat]

I've had limited success with Liquid Wrench. I now use Knock'er Loose from CRC Industries and have had good luck with it. http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/content/news-knockloose.aspx

It sounds like the shaft has siezed to the bearings tourning it into one piece. I don't know how much room you have around the bearings at each end, but sometimes a well placed flame from a propane torch will heat the bearing causing it to expand releasing it's grip.

[2fst4u]

I never thought of heating up the shaft. I will try it and hope not to melt anything.

[2fst4u]

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, I finally got it! I used the Gunk liquid wrench product and let it soaked for a few days and it losen itself. I am so happy. Thank you all for the help. Now its time to hit some water action.