1990 EZGo Marathon 2 cycle clutch question

Kcpanther56

My 1990 ezgo marathon is very slow climbing hills. I put a shorter belt on it to help and it made a little difference but its really slow. I am about 100% positive it is a clutch problem I just dont know which clutch. The clutch closest to the front has a small dent on it. The cart runs fine its almost like the clutch wont release it to go. When coming down a hill at first you have to press the gas to even make it go. It's almost like you are holding the hill brake. I am thinking its the front clutch i believe it is called the drive clutch. any help on this would be appreciated. I really dont want to have to replace both clutches.

BGW

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gmcman317

It's probably more than likely your driven clutch which is the one on the back of your cart. I had the same problem with my 93 marathon. I took it apart and the ramps inside my clutch were shot and grinding into the helix. I changed mine over to the 28 degree clutch with new 28 degree ramps and helix and my cart will climb hills like crazy now. You can get the ramps and new helix from cart parts plus for under a hundred bucks. I would recommend taking your clutch apart first to make sure that's what it is but it's probably more than likely the culprit. Just my two cent's. I'm sure others will chime in. There's a ton of info on here that helped me fix mine.

Dave Box

Are you saying that the cart runs fine on the level? If so I would start by checking the engine compression. However as a quick check you could jack up the back axle and remove the seat. Now start up and gently rev the engine. The clutch on the engine should start off wide open and as the revs increase close up fully. The clutch on the axle should do exactly the opposite. Do not over rev the engine without a load you may take it over 5000 rpm and run the risk of doing some damage.

Dave

Kcpanther56

It doesn't run fine on level. It takes it a min and then it will kind of feel like it releases then will take off. It will go really fast down hill once it kind of releases. It kind of makes a few dinging sounds sometime while trying to climb.

Kcpanther56

http://www.cartpartsplus.com/ezgo-driven-clutch-89-93
http://www.cartpartsplus.com/ezgo-helix
http://www.cartpartsplus.com/ezgo-hi...-89-93-2-cycle

So what all do you think I need?

my1423

As stated check the compression.
another thing to check, motor cradle mounts.
People switch out belts but if the mounts are bad the whole engine moves and acts like you did nothing at all.

Also if the muffler is plugged up it will have no power as well.

cart around

Take the drive belt off, and try to push it. Maybe the brakes are dragging.

jwalsh965

I just finished working on a 1989 EZGO marathon 2 cycle that seemed to have the same problem. The cart would move but could not climb a slight grade. The problem I found was the cable that opens carburator was stretched. I ordered a cable without touching a thing, installed it and now cart has no problem with hills. I haven't read all off the post but hope that helps.

Kcpanther56

jawlsh would you have a link to the cable you ordered?

jwalsh965

Item #365
Nivel golf cart parts should fit yours.