2001 Workhorse stalls on hills

horseback1926

My '01 Workhorse ran great: lots of power, received regular oil changes, new air filter and plugs, fuel filter. Then it stopped wanting to climb hills. We adjusted the valves, cleaned the carburetor and it still bogs going up any hill. This is our first cart. Use it for ranch work, so it gets lots of use and stays dirty.
Need ideas on what to do next.

BGW

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scottyb

As it should be for a workhorse on the ranch


You may be having a driven clutch problem.... try this pull up to the bottom of the hill in question and stop at the bottom. Then try the hill from a stand still ( motor off). If it climbs okay your driven clutch is not down shifting properly.

horseback1926

I stopped at the bottom of the hill with the engine off. Then we try to go up the hill, but it's like an old mare, and just can't make it. I even made the dog get out.

So, we back up, and go around the hill and it does fine.

I was wondering?
clutch?
spark plug wires?
fuel filter?
engine compression?
governor?

I'm really not qualified to diagnose an engine, but I'm a fast learner and have all the manuals.

scottyb

Yeah, engine compression is a great place to start this discussion.

G2Rebel

Timing also has alot to do w/ this. I just had a cart w/ a fresh rebuilt motor that had no climbing power. I pulled the timing belt guard and it was 2 teeth off, reset the timing and now it pulls hills like a champ.

scottyb

Yes, but this cart has been running good and not been disassembled ? So it is quite unlike that this is a timing issue

Gattu101

check the intake valves, maybe they pulled thru or the valve stem seals don't seal. Normaly when the clutch is the problem the car will pull away slowley and then go faster bus has no power. It also depends on the state of the ramp buttons, Always a good thing to have a look at them aswell.

scottyb

A proper compression test will tell you where to look.

ez go go

I'm with Scottyb, I would check compression first off and be sure it's not too low. It may be the valves need to be adjusted or maybe something deeper. If it's good at least you know the engine is ok.

horseback1926

Great help! I've been busy looking up all the things you talked about. One thing I realized while I was looking through all these diagrams and instructions is that the belt on my cart is VERY loose.

Since I don't have compression gauges, (or the experience,) I'll need to take it to a real mechanic for that. But now I have a general idea how things work. (I had to look hard to find the "ramp buttons".)

You've been a great help to this cowgirl! I'll let you know how this works out.