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Old 11-11-2014, 11:39 PM   #1
86enigma
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Default buying 1986 d3 par car

I am buying a 1986 D3 par car from a neighbor at our cabin. It runs OK, but on a hill, which our driveway is, you need to pull the choke to get it up the hill. I have not looked at it much, and we have not settled on a price. He says that it needs a new belt, but I am pretty sure that this has nothing to do with the choke issue. I am not a mechanic, but I am pretty sure that if you have to use a choke on a warm engine, something is wrong.
I am considering buying the parts and service manuals along with the supplements on vintagegolfcarts.com, but the total for the 4 is almost $150.

Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas where I can get the manuals cheaper?

Any thoughts are welcome.
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Old 11-12-2014, 08:36 AM   #2
73eldo
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

For some reason that era manual is harder to find than the earlier one, perhaps because that manual was written by Columbia and they are still in business?

I have dealt with vintage and they seem like good people.

First thing I would do is go through the carb and fuel pump to see if that helps the hill climbing issue. The fuel pumps are external and kinda universal so make sure you properly id your fuel pump and get the correct repair kit for it. You may no longer have the original one on there. They were used on lots of small engines so there are several brands and models possible. Carb is a little more consistent but still could not be original so look for numbers and pictures to make sure you are getting the correct rebuild kits.

If you got a good carb and fuel pump and it still needs choking try adjusting the carb, if the adjustment does help then its likely crank seals that are the issue. They are not that expensive but the engine has to come completely apart to change them.

With issues it can be kinda hard to price a cart like that. Does it need anything body wise? Seats good? Fiberglass good? Tires good? Does it have a top or any value added stuff like that? 5-10 years ago you could find pretty nice good running carts for $500 all day long. A cart like what you describe may be more like $300 if it looked nice. I have not actually bought a cart in years and don't watch the ads that close but it seems like the value (or at least asking prices) have gone up a bit. I see a lot of decent looking original ish carts asking more like $750-1000 these days. Not sure they are selling at that but that seems to be a common asking price.
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Old 11-12-2014, 11:11 AM   #3
Lochlin
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

Private message me a good email adddress and I will send you the manual for a 1985. It is similar to the 1986. A supplement for the 1986 can be found here:

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/colum...UTILITRUCK.pdf

Between the two manuals and frequest visits here you should be able to handle just about anything on that cart. For whatever reason, 86 - 88 Columbias never gained much consumer attraction so not many exist. The good news is that those 80's carts are somewhat cool because it's pretty easy to exchange parts across manufacturers. Example, 80's Par Car carb = a few hundred bucks. 80's EZ-Go carb = $70. 80's Columbia fuel pump = $50. 80's EZ-Go fuel pump = $25. They all will work fine.

Don't let your neighbor BS you. Having to choke is just about always a "not enough fuel" issue. I mean, if it was a worn belt then why would choking have any effect at all? Getting more gas to the carb via choking obviously does nothing to help a worn belt. Good news is that, crank seals aside, fuel problems aren't all that tough to correct. A new / rebuilt fuel pump may do it. A lot of guys, me included, convert from the standard "vacuum" style fuel pump to an electric pump.

That said, it still isn't running quite right so, unless that cart has a pristine exterior, I wouldn't go more than $500 on it.
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Old 11-12-2014, 09:58 PM   #4
86enigma
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

Wow, thanks Lochlin and 73 eldo for your time and thoughts. I have never posted to a forum of any kind before, but I am sure glad that I posted this here. I will not be up to see the cart until Thanksgiving and will definately take a good look at it then. The exterior is not awful, but it looks to be original and only garage kept in the winter. I was thinking $500 was a fair price, but think I am going to reconsider that after your thoughts.
I appreciate the advice to start with the fuel pump. I will let you guys, or girls, know how it goes.
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Old 11-12-2014, 10:06 PM   #5
86enigma
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

Lochlin, I can't private message. I am hoping that with time I will be able to do that. Thanks for the offer. I will check back soon and try again.
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Old 11-22-2014, 12:46 PM   #6
GC newbie
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

I agree, sounds like a carb/fuel pump issue. I'd start with the carb cleaning and adjustment as it sounds like it's air/fuel mixture is running too lean. I'm in the same boat right now and starting with the free fixes and then working up to the cheap fixes etc. :)
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Old 11-22-2014, 12:48 PM   #7
tew45
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

I would think the seals were leaking a little.
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Old 11-22-2014, 05:49 PM   #8
Kplhdryder
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

I would have to agree with tew, if you are having to use the choke on a warm motor, on a grade, or even on level ground , most likely your crank seals need to be replaced.
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Old 05-31-2015, 08:43 PM   #9
86enigma
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to give it a good looking at in the next month. I gave my neighbor $350 for the cart and he gave me back $250. He only took $100 for it!! I guess it pays to have good neighbors.
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Old 05-10-2019, 06:32 PM   #10
shady1369@aol.com
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Default Re: buying 1986 d3 par car

Hi Lochlin! I can't seem to figure out how to send you a private message but I would love a copy of the manual if you still have it available to share!
My user name is the best email to send it too.
THANK YOU!!
Sadie
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