I'm fairly new to go karts and engines for that matter. I have a kandi 125cc go kart that we had taken to get fixed. Long story short ended up with a new engine, i was told the cylinder and piston were burnt. It ran about 2 months total with the new engine and now it wont run at all. Found out there is low compression with a reading of 50 or so from the guage. I'm thinking it's the same issue as before but haven't taken it apart yet to see. How hard is it to rebuild the top end and what do I need to look for when I take it apart? Is it worth doing? I know parts are cheap af but the quality seems pretty crappy. Any suggestions other than rolling it off a cliff would be greatly appreciated.
Low compression
- Thread starter Redsweven
- Start date
first check for leakage..
sometimes it's as easy to fax as replacing cylinder head and maybe -foot gasket
and retightening it all with fresh nuts and maybe studs.
if you however managed to ruin a piston/cylinder fitting in just two months,
you must have done something wrong
(running with no oil for example; or not allowing the engine to wear in properly, not allowing the engine to warm up before kicking it hard etc...)
in that case, no repair will last unless you are willing to change your habbits I'm afraid.
So, allow the engine to warm up a bit, wipe the top end as clean as possible,
then -with the engine running- spray a light mix of soapy water around the cylinder head and foot seam.. if you see bubbles; buy new gaskets and install them carefully checking the mounting studs if one feels loose replace all of them with new ones, else just use fresh nuts.
'sid
sometimes it's as easy to fax as replacing cylinder head and maybe -foot gasket
and retightening it all with fresh nuts and maybe studs.
if you however managed to ruin a piston/cylinder fitting in just two months,
you must have done something wrong
(running with no oil for example; or not allowing the engine to wear in properly, not allowing the engine to warm up before kicking it hard etc...)
in that case, no repair will last unless you are willing to change your habbits I'm afraid.
So, allow the engine to warm up a bit, wipe the top end as clean as possible,
then -with the engine running- spray a light mix of soapy water around the cylinder head and foot seam.. if you see bubbles; buy new gaskets and install them carefully checking the mounting studs if one feels loose replace all of them with new ones, else just use fresh nuts.
'sid
Kaptain Krunch
Pro Junk Collector
Check valve adjustment. Those chinese engines use soft aluminum in the head, allowing the valve seats to "hammer" themselves in. Will manifest as a low compression.