JCL MG90A...Trying to get ready for son for Christmas

[Jmoore771]

A co-worker gave me a JCLMG90A.... I'm pretty sure this is correct....It looks in perfect shape besides the tires being flat. He said it's been in his garage for over a year and not started......I bought a new battery, carb cleaner, oil and a spark,plug....

Anything else I need to check out. I have never owned a go cart, but I'm really hoping I can get it running before Christmas. It's in mint shape, but he said he couldn't get it to start the last fine he tried.

 

[mckutzy]

Hello and welcome.

Your going to get alot more answers if you at least tell us what your describing with a pic. Numbers like that dont always tell us what it is.

 

[itsid]

http://jclusa.com/MG90A-sellparts.htm

that thing?

'sid

 

[KartFab]

Your on the right track. Clean out the tank, fuel filter, fuel line, then the carb. When adding fresh gas, make sure you add a fuel stabilizer (found at most automotive/home improvement/lawncare stores) Stabil is a good one. It will keep the carb from clogging up again. Chances are, the carb just needs to be cleaned. If the engine turns (eg you can pull the rope) thats a very good sign. If you take off the carb, spray just a little bit of gas into the hole where the carb was and it should fire up after a few pulls and run for a second or two. Then you know it is just a fuel delivery problem.

The most common part of the carb that gets gunked up is the bottom of the fuel bowl and the holes in the shaft that the bowl attaches to via bolt. If you look into the bottom of the shaft, there will be a recessed bolt/screw looking thing which is the jet; spray the carb cleaner directly into the jet. You should see fuel shooting up into the butterfly valve area of the carb when you do this. Spray into all other holes too for good measure.

 

[Jmoore771]

I took some pics for you guys....Sorry for all the white Tyvek on the floor....That's what I'm covering it with...haha.....Changed the oil out....One question....There is another small drain plug by the main oil drain plug....The smaller one had a long spring and a 2" type rod with several holes in it....I have no idea what this drain is for.....Anyways....I put fresh oil in, bought a battery, spark plug, and some gear oil....I hooked the battery up, only thing I got to work was the horn, that's it...haha.....I wasnt getting anything when turning the key....I put some gas in it with a little additive.... I haven't checked the carb yet....I have a gas shut off valve....I plan to clean the carb, but I'm trying to get some spark to it first, I'm trying to figure out why I'm not getting any turnover....I need to check if I'm getting a spark from the cord....This cart has no pull start.....electric only.....All the wiring goes into a little black box on the right side of the engine.....Lights weren't coming on either.....Looks like I have a little work to do....Starting with getting a spark....The horn works great,...Hopefully it's something simple... What do you guys think?

 

[Jmoore771]

http://jclusa.com/MG90A-sellparts.htm

that thing?

'sid

Yes....almost positive ....everything looks exactly the same

 

[buckwheat]

I see it has a fuel filter so the gas has probably 'soured' in the carburetor. Get some carburetor spray from an automotive store & flush all the passages.
You are going to need the electrical schematic so you can trace down why the starter is not working. It could just be a solenoid has gotten stuck. Maybe use some jumper cables & apply current to the starter directly.

 

[rocketkart]

try taking a screwdriver to the starter solenoid make shore the key is on put the screwdriver between the to contacts on the starter solenoid and see if it turns over.

 

[firemanjim]

About $53 will get you a new harness and key switch.... But try putting juice directly to starter and see if she spins over. If yes, then squirt some starting fluid into the carb and crank it again.... if it wont pop or stutter/start, then check the CDI box.... its what sends spark juice to plug... ...

 

[OzFab]

Just because the battery is new doesn't mean it's fully charged...

 

[Jmoore771]

I messed around with it some tonight. I took the starter off and tested it on a separate battery and it ran fine....Hooked it back up to the starter cable and used the bigger spare battery on my cart and nothing, No sparks on the solenoid either....I did get sparks when first testing the solenoid........I def think there is an issue with the solenoid. I got sparks a couple times but that's it....Wasn't getting any readings either from the solenoid most of the time, I'm going to order a solenoid and probably the key assembly also.....Needs a new air filter also....Once I get the parts in, hopefully it will get me a little farther.

I'm sure I'll be back asking more questions,....Thanks for the help....This is the first small engine I've ever worked on,,,,So I'm learning a lot a long the way,

 

[Jmoore771]

By sparks I also meant I couldn't get the starter to turn over when crossing the solenoid....The starter spun around fine when I tested it separately.

 

[fowler]

So the started spins fine on the bench but u haven't tested it in the kart

Do that

Applyfull battery voltage to the starter

I assume y have made sure the engine can turn over

If u cant get it to turn over by jumping the solenoid then your jumping the wrong bit

Do u have a muti meter?
Does your solenoid look like the one above
Does the solenoid click when u turn the key

If u are jumping the right points and the starter isn't turning then it's the starter, engine or battery at fault

First turn the engine over by hand

Then check the solenoid is getting 12v or above

Turn the key
If the solenoid doesn't click then jump it
While u have the jump wire on get a friend to check battery voltage
And check voltage getting to the motor

If it drops to 11 or 10.5 then u may get away with it

If it drops further then the battery is collapsed


Warning
Don't hold the jump wire on too long ( 1 second) of the motor doesn't turn

When the starter is locked up it is effectively a dead short and huge amounts of current is glowing though the tiny brushes in the motor
Damage will be the end result

 

[OzFab]

I'm gonna add another small point to that:

Have you checked that the earth has a good contact on the frame?

 

[qtband]

I'm gonna add another small point to that:

Have you checked that the earth has a good contact on the frame?

....and for those of us on this side of the pond, , make sure you are getting a good ground from the negative side of the battery. Also check for an engine ground.

 

[firemanjim]

....and for those of us on this side of the pond, , make sure you are getting a good ground from the negative side of the battery. Also check for an engine ground.

Im pretty sure Earth has had plenty of contact.....
To O P , put the black cable, of jumper cable set , on frame of kart where it makes good ground or on the motor. Take the red one and momentarily touch the lug on the starter solenoid going to starter. It shoud click and spin, click and spark, or just spark..... you want the fisrt scenario, second one isnt bad, but sparks,no clicks, no movement is not good.....

 

[katoranger]

The smaller "drain" bolt with the spring is the timing chain tensioner I believe. This should stay in place. You just need to use the larger one to drain the oil.

The engine is a clone of a honda horizontal. The others have given good suggestions to fix the starting problems. I think the solenoid is at fault or a connection issue.