looks like its the speed controller and i've only had it for a month...it hasn't been overheating. the motor was a little hot around 170 though. Something kinda funny is today is i installed a fan on the esc today and the esc broke the same day...guess I'll be talking to mike about this soon.
I also tried unplugging my receiver battery and putting the black jumper on just to see if there was power...the steering and shifting servos still worked but no throttle. I will be very disappointed if i have to send back the esc it's still new.