I parked the go kart about three months ago because of a messed up tire. Was running fine at that point. Forgot to run the carb dry, so when I replaced the messed up rim and tire, I cleaned the carb really well. Still wouldn't start. It would start off of carb cleaner sprayed directly in the air intake, but only for a split second. So I went with the basics. I bought a new carb for it and got a new spark plug. I have good spark, fuel is getting to the carb, but when I pull the spark plug, it is dry. I tried spraying carb cleaner and starting fluid through the carb and now it won't even try to start. Turns over like a champ, but just won't start. Any ideas? Oh, and it is a TAOTAO ATK-125A 125cc Wrangler style if that helps. Also, I checked the oil level cause I know some of these have a low oil shut off, but it has plenty of oil. Please help!!!
Won't start! Please Help!!!!
- Thread starter bross1004
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mysteryboy28
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sometimes you have to go through the checklist a few times before whatever it is finally works itself out. i'd only spray starter fluid into the carb, not carb cleaner.
double check that you're getting spark. spray some starter fluid in the spark plug hole before putting the plug back in to see if that'll fire it up for a second.
make sure fuel is flowing nicely from the tank.
fresh gas? fuel filter on the fuel line? might already be something clogging up the new carb. take it apart, clean it, and blow all the passages out with an air compressor.
double check that you're getting spark. spray some starter fluid in the spark plug hole before putting the plug back in to see if that'll fire it up for a second.
make sure fuel is flowing nicely from the tank.
fresh gas? fuel filter on the fuel line? might already be something clogging up the new carb. take it apart, clean it, and blow all the passages out with an air compressor.
Doc Sprocket
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I'd pop the drain bolt out of the carb and make sure fuel is even getting into it. It's possible the pickup screen in the tank, or the shutoff valve is plugged.
I checked the screen in the tank and it is clean. I am getting gas out of the tank, I pulled the fuel line off the carb and gas is flowing out with the shutoff valve open. I tried spraying starter fluid and carb cleaner in the cylinder and it still won't fire, which really makes me wonder. I sprayed carb cleaner through the jets of the new carb, but haven't opened the carb drain yet though. Guess I can try that. Any other ideas?
Doc Sprocket
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If you have no fire when shooting starting fluid right into the carb, it sounds like you've lost spark or maybe compression. Verify both. Check timing by inspecting the flywheel key, and verify the magneto air gap set to 0.010". Dumb as it may seem, make sure kill switches are on.
Well, I checked spark on the plug, and I have blue spark. I did finger over the plughole test for compression, and if I hold my finger over it tightly, its not that strong, but if I bring my finger about 1/8th" off of the plughole, it seems pretty strong. Almost tries to suck my finger onto the hole. How exactly do I check the timing? And I know nothing about how to verify the magneto air gap either. Kill switches are on. Thanks for all the help so far by the way. Greatly appreciated.
So I am pretty sure it has lost compression. Just doesn't feel strong enough when I put my finger over the spark plug hole. It won't start even when I put starter fluid in the cylinder either. I'm wondering if the rings are just that shot that its not compressing anything, or if the exhaust valve isn't shutting all the way. I did take the little round covers off, and the valves are moving, but I can't see if they are all the way open or all the way shut. I don't have a compression tester to get an exact number for compression, and the local parts store has one, but doesn't carry the correct size fitting for that small of a spark plug hole. I just don't understand how it was running fine when I parked it and now it has no compression...... Can you guys give me some insight? And how do I start narrowing down the possibilities? Don't want to throw unnecessary money into this machine.
OzFab
Well-known member
If you have the rocker cover off, you can tell if the valves are closing completely; when they're closed, you should be able to move the rockers slightly...
As for compression; you won't feel much due to the compression release; try turning the engine backwards. Also, squirt a small amount of oil into the spark plug hole to seal the rings & lubricate the bore
As for compression; you won't feel much due to the compression release; try turning the engine backwards. Also, squirt a small amount of oil into the spark plug hole to seal the rings & lubricate the bore
Fabroman, could what you are talking about cause it not to start just because it sat for a couple months? I did notice that when I pulled the little circle cover off the exhaust valve there seemed to be a lot of oil on the inside of it. What exactly is compression release? I don't know much about it. And how do I turn the engine backwards? And that will give more of a kick to the compression if everything is ok? Oh, and how much oil are we talking about putting directly into the cylinder?
OzFab
Well-known member
Here's a short vid that will help explain it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tceKAAViC1c
Basically, it opens the exhaust valve slightly on the compression stroke, hence giving a false compression indication. By turning the engine backwards, it overrides the compression release.
To turn the engine backwards, remove the three bolts retaining the pull start mechanism/housing; you can then turn the engine by hand...
If you have an oil can, one squirt, or even half a squirt will be enough. If you dont, 1-2 teaspoons...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tceKAAViC1c
Basically, it opens the exhaust valve slightly on the compression stroke, hence giving a false compression indication. By turning the engine backwards, it overrides the compression release.
To turn the engine backwards, remove the three bolts retaining the pull start mechanism/housing; you can then turn the engine by hand...
If you have an oil can, one squirt, or even half a squirt will be enough. If you dont, 1-2 teaspoons...
The go kart is a key start, not a pull start, and I don't want to open the wrong thing up. Where on the engine should this starting mechanism/housing be located? Its on the same side as the starter motor right? I know this should be real basic, but I am not very good with these small engines and don't want to do more damage than good. Thanks again for all your help so far.
OzFab
Well-known member
Ok, it's time we saw some pics...
OzFab
Well-known member
Ok, that nullifies my previous posts, I must've missed this bit
I didn't realise we were talking about a bike engine...
So, low compression could be due to a number of factors; it could be worn rings, bad or no valve sealing or blown head gasket.
Try a compression test again after you put some oil in the spark plug hole & report back
I didn't realise we were talking about a bike engine...
So, low compression could be due to a number of factors; it could be worn rings, bad or no valve sealing or blown head gasket.
Try a compression test again after you put some oil in the spark plug hole & report back
Update: Tried the oil in the spark plug. Compression seems a little bit stronger, but still seems weaker than it should be for a 125cc engine. So I tested a theory and I hope I didn't mess anything up by doing this.... in tinkering I discovered that the two bolts holding the exhaust against the motor were missing. So I pulled it most of the way out and sprayed some starter fluid in the cylinder and tried to start it again. As soon as I turned it over, the starter fluid drained out of the exhaust port onto the floor of my garage. That can't be good, right? But like I said before, I took the little round cover off above the exhaust valve and it does move when I turn the engine over. So how could this have happened if it ran fine up to the point of me parking it for tire replacement?
OzFab
Well-known member
Great but, based on your level of experience (which I'm guessing is pretty low), what are you comparing it to? You really need to get hold of a compression tester...
Of course it did, it's an exhaust port, everything comes out! Gravity may have had something to do with it too...
First of all, good point about the exhaust point. Shoulda thought about that one before I opened my mouth. Where can I get a compression tester for these little engines? As far as comparing compression, I was comparing it to my daughters 50cc four wheeler that runs great. Had less compression than the four wheeler.
OzFab
Well-known member
I was afraid you were gonna say that. What would cause the rings to go out like that? Like I said, it was running fine when I parked it. Ran like a champ with no issues. Sat for a couple months, and now all of this. Any ideas why? I don't want to go through the hassle of taking that engine out and tearing it apart if there is any other option. I will try to get a compression tester first just to make sure. Any idea where I could find one for these little engines?
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