go kart doesn’t run. help please

[bryans2121]

it sat in my shed during the winter. ran before and now doesn’t start. what steps do i take to get it running.

 

[Functional Artist]

Did you leave gas in the tank?

If so, probably needs the carb cleaned

 

[bryans2121]

Did you leave gas in the tank?

If so, probably needs the carb cleaned

how can i clean thag bad boy out. i’m basically a rookie

 

[Denny]

The easiest way to do it would be to unbolt it and dump the contents into a fuel safe container for disposal. First though check for spark and compression. I used to use my little brother to check for spark. Might be why he does not talk to me 40+ years later. So don’t do it that way. Remove spark plug from head. Plug it back in to the wire and set the end on a hood ground. Make sure all switches are on and pull starter cord. Look for spark at electrode, should be nice and blue.
2. Check for fuel at carb. Dump a little fuel down spark plug hole and reinstall plug. Crank engine over a few times. Let us know how this works out.

 

[bryans2121]

The easiest way to do it would be to unbolt it and dump the contents into a fuel safe container for disposal. First though check for spark and compression. I used to use my little brother to check for spark. Might be why he does not talk to me 40+ years later. So don’t do it that way. Remove spark plug from head. Plug it back in to the wire and set the end on a hood ground. Make sure all switches are on and pull starter cord. Look for spark at electrode, should be nice and blue.
2. Check for fuel at carb. Dump a little fuel down spark plug hole and reinstall plug. Crank engine over a few times. Let us know how this works out.

i don’t have a compression tester. i’ve checked spark and it’s there. i will be cleaning out the carb as many have suggested. i did the gas in spark hole and nothing happened tried to pull 5 times and no luck.

 

[madprofessor]

Some other folks don't like starting fluid, but I like it as a very reliable testing tool. All auto parts stores carry spray cans of it, get one of those, put out any cigarettes or other possible causes of ignition.
Just remove the air filter, spray a good squirt of it into the carburetor with the throttle wide open (opens the butterfly valve) to allow it to go into the engine. Pull the rope, if you have spark and compression it should crank up for a couple of seconds. If it does, remove the carb, dump out any fuel in it, soak it overnight completely submerged in a bowl full of carb cleaner, then do a proper cleaning of it.
Always rinse away all carb cleaner from all parts before reassembly. The best material for that is a spray can of electrical contact cleaner, because it quickly evaporates completely, and doesn't leave any residue like WD-40 does.