Fuel problem ---- I think

[ghostrider500]

My cart will run about two blocks when first ran and then will just lose power. By losing power, I mean it just starts coasting with engine retarding and cycling down, cart rolls to a stop and the generator(?) is still running. I wait a second or two, push the accelerator and it will fire up and go maybe five feet and do it again....and again. If I turn off ignition, pump the accelerator and/or choke/unchoke a few times it will start and run farther before doing the shut down dance again. So I' m thinking fuel delivery issue. Am I barking up the right tree here?

If so, my next question is.. can the 5" lift I recently installed be causing this by having my motor at an increased angle causing my float to be out of adjustment(level)?

The cart had a new fuel filter and pump on it when I bought it and I didn't really run it enough to know if this issue was a preexisting condition before I redid the cart and lifted it, but I now have my suspicions

I think I will first replace my fuel line that hadn't been replaced, especially the one going from fuel pump to crankcase to rule out fuel pump problem. Good idea?

Thanks for the ideas and answers.

 

[Drifter]

I had a similar problem with my 2003 txt. Found grass debris in fuel tank, cleaned tank and took care of the issue.

 

[Nubs]

try it with the gas cap loose, sometimes the vent in the cap gets blocked and they will vapor lock. cheap and easy to try

 

[ghostrider500]

So my motor being at a angle from the lift wouldn't be causing my float to be at a wrong angle? Or am I just overthinking this whole thing?

 

[HotRodCarts]

The float should be fine with the lift unless it needed adjustment before the lift.

 

[ghostrider500]

Thanks for the reply, HRC. I not entirely sure if this was a pre-existing condition when I bought it; it ran OK when I test drove it.

I siphoned out the tank today and saw no debris in the tank. I suctioned out the inside anyway, just in case.

No change, in fact it got worse. Now it will 'fire', move about 2 feet and rev down and off with just the generator spinning. Wait a second or two, push accelerator and it will fire, but die again.

If I put the cart in neutral it will run all day, even at continuous top revving speed.

Not sure of my next move. Time to rebuild carb?


Side note, what is the purpose of the shaft that comes off the carb on the left side and hooks into the rear end. I see it moves according to motor speed, but what for for?

 

[kogieblack]

I believe the shaft you are referring to ultimately winds up connected to the aaccelerator cable assing through a link and to the governor. When you press on the gas pedal, that shaft moves and opens the carb to accept more gas.

 

[ghostrider500]

Where to start....

Started rooting around the engine to see if I could find anything wrong and I should have done this first. Found that the generator tensioner bolt had no nut on the bottom and was loose as could be. Fixed that, but knew this was not a contributing factor to my fuel problem.

Then I found this....this picture is after I took off the wire ties that held it up and in place in a way that would have made any redneck mechanic proud. Think I need a new one, but what exactly is it called? Don't want to sound like a complete doofus when I order it up, though that probably won't help me by much

Secondly, should my governor nuts be backed off this far? I was planning to up my speed after I figure this problem out and wonder if this is correctly set to begin with or if it was backed off to try to remedy the problem I face now; or could it be a contributing factor to the present problem?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Nubs]

thats the way that piece of throttle linkage comes from the factory, the top two are 94-up and the bottom is 91-94. looks like your drive belt is shot or the driven clutch is not shuting all the way. that belt should ride right up to the top of the driven.

 

[ghostrider500]

Thanks for the heads up on the drive belt. It does look pretty ratty and I was planning to replace it. So if I move the belt out of the way should clutch driven close up? And if not, can you rebuild the driven or is it a one piece replaceable part?

 

[Nubs]

yes, the clutch should close when the belt is off or the correct width, 1 3/16 if i remember right. the clutch can be rebuilt but they can be a bit hard to get apart sometimes. that linkage should not be that loose if its ridin' on the belt, i'm thinkin' its been molested

 

[ghostrider500]

The throttle rod has two or three cable strands are broken and the rest is bent one direction so it won't stay flat. Need a new one, me thinks.

 

[Nubs]

if the rod won't hold its own weight then out with it

i would install a new belt and see where it rides, you can always go back and deal with it if need be. i don't have the part number for the rod

 

[kogieblack]

Accelerator rod: OEM 72072-G01 About $ 20.00 plus ship/tax. You can make one yourself like what I did. I bent a welding rod into shape and of the desired length.

 

[ghostrider500]

I replaced the belt and everything looks right now. I can actually hear the clutch and driven doing there job.

As for the fuel issue it turns out that I needed to adjust the valves; did it and the problem went away and the cart runs like a totally different cart.

I adjusted my governor and now have it set at a whopping 20 mph WOT. Fast enough for me and I don't worry about blowing the thing up

 

[HotRodCarts]

Glad to hear you got it fixed and thanks for the follow up.