Taotao Gokart Bogs Down

[Chapster]

Hello I’m a grandad trying to provide some fun for my kiddos and having some issues with a gokart I bought used. Can you guys give me some wisdom?

Taotao GK110 Gokart

The original carb was plugged solid and was riveted together, so I purchased a carb on Amazon. It fired right up after install, and the kids road it for several days with no problems at all.

it began to run rough and bog down on acceleration. I tried new fuel, new spark plug and adjusted the air mixture and idle on the carb. Adjustments did not help an engine. RPMs would increase on their own when sitting at idle.

I purchased an OEM carb. Again it fired right up. Road it for a few minutes and it did decent but was running a bit rough. Once the engine warmed up, it really started to spit and sputter and stumble on acceleration and occasional backfire. Adjusted carb numerous times in small increments and nothing helped.

I’m not familiar with these Taotao’s but have rebuilt and adjusted carbs on my tractors, mowers and welders.

at this point, I’m thinking it’s not a carb problem. What else could it be?

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Have you checked for an intake leak? Is there a rubber coated intake manifold/adaptor. They can crack and cause funny issues.
Looks like this one.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Have you cleaned out the fuel tank? Maybe it is contaminated.

 

[Sparkwizard]

Maybe try a new spark plug along with the excellent suggestions above.

 

[Chapster]

Have you checked for an intake leak? Is there a rubber coated intake manifold/adaptor. They can crack and cause funny issues.
Looks like this one.

View attachment 152168

I did but will check again. I sprayed some carb cleaner on the manifold with it running and didn’t hear any change. Thanks!

 

[Chapster]

Have you cleaned out the fuel tank? Maybe it is contaminated.

It was dry and clean when I got it.

 

[Chapster]

Maybe try a new spark plug along with the excellent suggestions above.

Yes sir I did try a new plug

 

[panchothedog]

Sounds like you have covered everything as far as fuel delivery. I don't know anything about the ignition system on your kart, but have heard of ignition parts getting hot and losing the ability to produce a good spark.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Stabbing in the dark here, but perhaps check the valve lash. Might get hot and expands, and the valve lash is on the cusp. Keeping the valves from closing fully.
Might explain the backfiring and other gremlins.

 

[Chapster]

Stabbing in the dark here, but perhaps check the valve lash. Might get hot and expands, and the valve lash is on the cusp. Keeping the valves from closing fully.
Might explain the backfiring and other gremlins.

Stabbing in the dark here, but perhaps check the valve lash. Might get hot and expands, and the valve lash is on the cusp. Keeping the valves from closing fully.
Might explain the backfiring and other gremlins.

You might be right. I’ll check the ignition then move on to the valves. Thanks

 

[Chapster]

Sounds like you have covered everything as far as fuel delivery. I don't know anything about the ignition system on your kart, but have heard of ignition parts getting hot and losing the ability to produce a good spark.

Thanks I’ll check it out!