EZGO Golf Cart Hard Starting in Cold Weather

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Rich K

New Member
Hello everyone, I have a question about cold weather starting. My EZGO golf cart is very hard starting in cold weather. Is there anything I can do to get my cart to start easier in when it's cold outside?
It is a 2002 EZGO and it runs fine in warm weather and in cold weather, when I get it started. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks
 
F

ftfixer

New Member
Are you just having to use the choke more during the cold weather or what? A better description might be useful to help determine your problem. :)
Welcome to Cartaholics.
 
HotRodCarts

HotRodCarts

Cartaholic
Welcome to the forum...

The first thing I check is the valve lash on a EZGO gasser when they're hard to start when the engine is cold. Check the valve lash with the engine cold and set the intake and exhaust valves at .006...

Check this link for info on adjusting the valves:
EZGO Gas Golf Cart Valve Lash Adjusting
 
R

Rich K

New Member
I have to crank and crank and crank some more before it starts to fire. It usually does start but after a long time of cranking.
 
R

Rich K

New Member
Well I talked to a friend about my cart, and he asked me how I was trying to start it. I told him and he said try holding the trottle down to the floor for 10 sec and then just touch the pedal to start it. It worked, I did have to repeat the procedure 3 times. Thanks guys
 
HotRodCarts

HotRodCarts

Cartaholic
I'd still check the valve lash. It's a very common for them to be to tight and if you plan on keeping the cart you'll be needing to adjust them eventually. When they're adjusted correctly the cart will start much easier and run much better...
 
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RAYCEMAN2

New Member
I have the same problem with mine. I will also look at the valve adjustment. I do have a question, how does this adjustment of the valves help during cold weather starts? :dazed:
 
Nubs

Nubs

Cartaholic - V.I.P.
the intake valves are known to be soft, and in time the valve head starts to mushroom and pushes the stem closer to the rocker! in time the stem will contact the rocker and not allow the valve to close, losing compression. also cold engines turn slower on start up.
 
C

Cheesy

New Member
HRC.... Going to use your pictorial to adjust my valves. I noticed you posted .006 in this thread, and .004 in the pictorial. Is preference given to the tighter setting of .004?

Thanks, Cheesy!
 
HotRodCarts

HotRodCarts

Cartaholic
EZGO calls for .004 but that's for stop and go on the golf course. If you use the cart on a lot of long distance runs .006 works well. I always set them at.006. Make sure the engine is completely cooled down before setting them.
 
C

Cheesy

New Member
Damn your prompt! Thanks for the added info. Going to search the forum for other performance minded things. Want to make sure it's tip-top for her maiden voyage!


1)Check valves
2)Will adjust governor
3)Check/Replace air filter
4)Check/Replace plugs


Also, am I able to adjust the belt tention at all. If so, how, and to what spec? Or would I have to just replace the belt with a shorter one? If so, would I benefit more with the larger tires? As top speed is not of grave importance, but would hate to give up to much.

Thanks Again, Cheesy!
 
HotRodCarts

HotRodCarts

Cartaholic
No the drive belt tension isn't adjustable. A shorter belt will give you more low end torque. You may loose a little top end speed at first but once the belt breaks in you'll be close to your speed now. The stock EZGO TXT belt is 42" long and 1 1/8" wide EZGO part #(72054-G01). The EGZO Marathon 89 -91 2cycle belt is 41" long and 1 3/16" wide part number (22337G1). If you want to try a shorter belt go with the 89-91 2 cycle Marathon belt. Stick with genuine EZGO belts...
 
H

HardingU

New Member
I had the same problem that Rich K is having. I could not get my cart to run but with the valve adjusting instructions provided here, I correctd the problem in 15 minutes. That was easy!
 
HotRodCarts

HotRodCarts

Cartaholic
Welcome to the forum HardingU...

Glad to hear settting your valves solved your problem. They run a lot better with the correct valve lash...
 
N

nwksgolfer

New Member
I HAD the same starting problem until I adjusted the intake valves. I went from starting problems at 50F to easy starting at 10F! :thumbsup:
 
J

johnered66

New Member
I had the same problem, and I made a big mistake that maybe I can prevent someone else from making....I was spraying carb cleaner in the carb to get it going, I had to do it everytime...even in the summer....well, this forum with the help of HotROdCarts set me straight, I got a friend to tune my cart up for me, and a simple Valve fix and she is running like a champ....the campground is gonna be a blur this summer...thanks to all for your help...and don't spray either in your carb....at least thats what I was told...it may be a quick fix and not a total rebuild...cheers!
 
S

Sutty

New Member
Hello,

Newb here I just bought an EZGO that is cold starting so I am going to try to adjust the valves this weekend. Is there an easy way of telling when the valve is opened all the way?

Thanks,


John
 
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