Engine, Y U NO START!

[Ericpach]

I went to start up my go-kart and it never started, like ever. Didn't start and die, just never started. And it didn't sound like it was catching too much either. So I replaced the spark plug, cleaned the carb and checked the boot plug to see if there was spark, I got a tiny amount of spark, I could barely feel it, is this normal?

If it is the coil harness or carb, I don't really care because I was planning to replace them soon anyways.

And I'd also just like to thank everyone on my last post, this forum has the best community I've seen.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Step one- carburetion check. Pour a teaspoon of fuel in thru the spark plug hole, and reinstall the plug. Try to start it. Report results.

 

[Ericpach]

What do you mean spark plug hole? Like take the spark plug out and pour gas in there or in the plug?

 

[devino246]

What do you mean spark plug hole? Like take the spark plug out and pour gas in there or in the plug?

Remove plug, pour gas into the hole where the sparkplug fits, reinstall spark plug, attempt to start. This is ruling out a gas problem. If it starts then, you likely have a carb (or intake gasket) problem. If it doesn't start, the only other possibilities are compression and spark.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yeah- what Devino said! LOL
Pouring the gas through that hole, puts the fuel right smack in the combustion chamber. Don't overdo it, if the plug gets too wet (flooded) you'll still get no fire. Don't expect too much either. If it does run, it'll only be for a second or two, until the fuel is used up. Frankly, a couple of "pop"s are all you need to hear.

 

[souperman000]

...Just make sure the kill (if there is one) is in the "ON" or "RUN" position

Every once in a while, that'll getcha ya.

 

[Ericpach]

It went "pop,pop,pop". So carb issue it is??

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yessir. Carb must be thoroughly cleaned.

 

[devino246]

It went "pop,pop,pop". So carb issue it is??

You made sure you have plenty of gas in the fuel tank, right? :toetap05:

Fuel delivery issue, to be exact.

 

[Ericpach]

Yes there is quite a bit of gas.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Sorry- might have jumped the gun. It is usually a carb cleaning. First, make sure fuel is getting to the carb. Take that bolt of the bottom of the carb bowl (with a catch container under it) and see that the fuel flows freely.

 

[Ericpach]

It's alright, this carb is aged, I bought the kart from someone who built it 2 years ago, so I think it's time for a new Mikuni carb.

 

[realfast89gt]

Yes there is quite a bit of gas.

Sorry to chime in here, but do you mean from what you ate or inside the fuel tank?

 

[devino246]

It's alright, this carb is aged, I bought the kart from someone who built it 2 years ago, so I think it's time for a new Mikuni carb.

Carburetors are not wearable components. If properly maintained and rebuilt, the carburetor should last the life of the engine block. No point in buying a new carb.

 

[Ericpach]

I put a teaspoon of gas into the spark plug hole, and a little past half a tank of gas.

 

[Ericpach]

Well, even if the carb is not going to age, I still want more power, I want to eventually rebuild the whole engine.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

what kind of engine is this?

 

[landuse]

I would give your carb a thorough cleaning again. Poke out all the small holes and maybe give the carb a boil in lemon juice. It works wonders.

I would not waste money at this stage getting another carb.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

At this point, I don't believe a new carb is going to add any power. A stock carb is more then capable of delivering enough air and fuel for a stock engine. Besides that- If you got to something like a Mikuni, you have to crack open the engine and pull the governor, as it won't work with it. So- Do you want to do your rebuild now?

With everything else stock, the fancy carb may offer slightly better throttle response, but won't net you any extra power.

 

[OzFab]

As already stated, a bigger carb won't necessarily give you more power, all it will do (at best) is deliver more fuel & air which can be more of a hinderence than a help.

An engine will only take in as much fuel as it needs. If you try to "force feed" it with a bigger carb, all you'll end up with is an engine that runs super rich