I bought my daughter a go kart with a predator 212cc engine. It has been an experience being that I don't know anything about engines. Anyway the starter recoil wasn't pulling. She removed it to see if the rope was caught up...long story short we bought a new one and put it on today but it still won't pull. I read that the engine won't start if the oil is low and I checked it and it's almost black so we will change the oil - my question is would the oil being low/obviously nasty be a reason for not being able to pull the starter? Sorry if it's a stupid question but I am trying to learn...
new to all this
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How would I tell? It was running fine and then it stopped. She went to pull starter and it wouldn't pull. We replaced starter and still won't pull. The owner manual said that if the oil has issues as a safety feature it won't start but I am not sure if that is why it won't pull. I wish I knew more about these things 
well first you want to make sure it isn't anything else.. do you know what kind of transmission it has? centrifugal clutch or torque converter? or something else? does it still roll. did it stop suddenly? was there any noise the it stopped
pics would help
pics would help
My daughter said that she turned it off. There were no noises prior. When she went to turn it back on she couldn't pull the starter. Yes it still rolls. All I can really tell you is that the engine is the predator 212cc. Here is the link to the user manual if that helps - we have model #69730 https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/69000-69999/69730.pdf.
its probably a simpler problem- have a look at this:http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20510
did you turn the fuel tap off?
did you turn the fuel tap off?
mckutzy
Well-known member
Howabout some pics...
The low oils sensor won't limit the turning of the shaft, it just prevents the spark when it is actuated.
If its relitivly new.. Why not take it back...
If its been a while, barring internal items...potentially the magneto has come loose and contacted the flywheel and causing the drag...
Other elements could be, but we need to see what and how it's mounted...
The low oils sensor won't limit the turning of the shaft, it just prevents the spark when it is actuated.
If its relitivly new.. Why not take it back...
If its been a while, barring internal items...potentially the magneto has come loose and contacted the flywheel and causing the drag...
Other elements could be, but we need to see what and how it's mounted...
So, to be clear;
you cannot pull on the rope, it doesn't unwind and it doesn't turn over the engine to start?
So, remove that spark plug and see if you can now pull the rope and turn over the engine.
if so, pull that rope a couple of times with a clean rag over the spark plug hole.
if it has some serious oil stains now you might have had too much oil in it.
if you see gas stains you had an issue with your carb.
Anyways, reinstall the spark plug, and try again.
If you STILL cannot turn over the engine, remove the shroud,
check the flywheel for debris that could lock it in place.. also
make sure the magneto doesn't interfere with the flywheel.
you see a small gap only and the magneto cannot be moved with just your hands, then leave it as is and call it good.
try to turn the flywheel by hand slowly (CCW at least one rotation, then Clockwise )
listen for odd sounds
..oh spark plug still removed that is.
Still nothing?
that engine is seized for good and you need to repair it
(since it's a predator it'd be cheaper to replace really I guess)
but no need to not crack it open and see what's wrong imho.
if you found something locking the flywheel, good.. removed and retried it should start
else, tell us what happened. (have you heard something, did it turn...?)
'sid
you cannot pull on the rope, it doesn't unwind and it doesn't turn over the engine to start?
So, remove that spark plug and see if you can now pull the rope and turn over the engine.
if so, pull that rope a couple of times with a clean rag over the spark plug hole.
if it has some serious oil stains now you might have had too much oil in it.
if you see gas stains you had an issue with your carb.
Anyways, reinstall the spark plug, and try again.
If you STILL cannot turn over the engine, remove the shroud,
check the flywheel for debris that could lock it in place.. also
make sure the magneto doesn't interfere with the flywheel.
you see a small gap only and the magneto cannot be moved with just your hands, then leave it as is and call it good.
try to turn the flywheel by hand slowly (CCW at least one rotation, then Clockwise )
listen for odd sounds
..oh spark plug still removed that is.
Still nothing?
that engine is seized for good and you need to repair it
(since it's a predator it'd be cheaper to replace really I guess)
but no need to not crack it open and see what's wrong imho.
if you found something locking the flywheel, good.. removed and retried it should start
else, tell us what happened. (have you heard something, did it turn...?)
'sid
given that it was running fine before, and only developed this problem after sitting for a while, my vote is fuel has leaked into the engine. But
we'll see...
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