Dead EZGO Workhorse

Casey007

Hi all,
(Please don't be pissed that I don't know anything and please help me anyway!)

My 1999? EZGO workhorse died and I need help resurrecting it. Actually it was murdered by the mechanic that came to fix it when it was running funny. He said it was fine but 5 minutes after he left it died. When he came back to check the now dead EZGO, he said it blew(threw?) a rod and needs a new engine because it didn't have oil in it. I no longer trust this mechanic because it seems to me that he should have checked that when I told him it was running funny. (Yes, I know I should have been checking the oil, but I don't know anything about anything automotive....or cartomotive. Except now I know there are no idiot lights for low oil on golf carts). Mechanic #2 said it needed a new fuel pump and when that didn't work he said he doesn't know what's wrong with it and maybe it did blow a rod after all, but he doesn't know for sure.

So... here are my questions:
1) Is there a way to tell if the golf cart blew or threw a rod or whatever its called and now needs a new engine?

2)If so, could I do it if someone told me how, considering that the only thing I know about the golf carts internal workings is how to lift up the seat to look at them?

3) I really need a referral to a good golf cart mechanic. How do I find one? All the golf courses around me have only electric golf cars and the closest dealer is a ways away (and for what I would pay a dealer to fix the golf cart I could probably buy a new used one!). If it helps, I live in California north of Santa Barbara.

I loved my little Workhorse and don't want it go to the big golf course in the sky!

Thanks guys!

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

scottyb

If the motor was damaged by a lack of oil then there is no rebuilding this engine. The best you can do is find another engine and swap it out with the bad one. I dunno if I feel confident telling you that this is something you could do without any mechanical background... Best to ask around and find a mechanic you can trust.
Welcome to bgw,

Casey007

Oops, I should have made that clearer. I know I don't have the ability to fix it, I was wondering if there was a secret way to tell if that really was the problem (since the previous mechanic can't be trusted), and if I could do that (i.e. see if that is really the problem, not fix it if it is)

Also, how do I find a mechanic I can trust? There are not a lot of golf cart mechanic reviewers out there on the internet :-)

scottyb

Load your cart up and bring it down here

You would need to test compression or simply remove the spark plugs and with a longish screw driver see if in fact both cylinders are going up and down as you rotate the engine by hand.... and if that's all greek , I dunno

scottyb

I have a 98 workhorse that runs good with new clutch & recent service.... I could take your cart in on trade.... If you are interested in persuing this, find me on the BGW sponsor page and contact me thru my website email....

Casey007

OK, I really am not an idiot but I can't find the sponsor page, or at least one that actually lists sponsors. When I click on the Site Sponsors link at the top of the page, the page it takes me to does not have any sponsors listed!

In the meantime, the man who works for me on my ranch would know how to take the spark plugs off, and probably how to do the other stuff you said, but he doesn't speak much English. Could you walk me thru it so I can try tell him what to do? For example what do the cylinders look like and how do you rotate the engine by hand?

turboaz2

The spark plugs are on top of the engine. There are 2 thick black wires running to them. Pull the black wires off. You will see 1 white ceramic thing with a silver top under each wire. These are the spark plugs. When you take them out you can see into the cylinders.

To rotate it by hand just turn the clutch on the belt side. Counterclockwise.

If you place a screw driver into each hole where the sparkplugs were ( use normal sized, not little, screwdrivers, doesn't matter what kind) then turn the engine by hand they should both move up and down smoothly. If one or both does not, the engine is likely damaged beyond repair, or reasonable repair cost wise.

The engine can be replaced by another stock type engine or with an aftermarket engine, either way you will need someone with real mechanical knowledge to get it done.

Casey007

Turboaz2,

Thanks sooo much! I'm pretty sure I can figure it out with your great instructions and if you can tell me what the clutch looks like and how I turn it (with my hand? by moving a belt?) I will try it this afternoon!

Also, if I do need a new engine (don't worry, somehow I will find someone to put it in for me), where can I find one for a reasonable price? Is there a practical difference between stock and aftermarket, or new and rebuilt? The cart was great with the horsepower it had before, so I don't need anything fancy - I just use it for transportation on the roads around the ranch. (Right now I am using a lifted golf cart that I hate - it has no power on hills, feels like its going to tip over, and the brakes don't seem to stop it very well. It is reliable though!)
Thanks again for your help!

invalidsession

The drive clutch has a big belt around it Casey, lift up your seat and you will spot it easily enough. If you get stuck just check in the stickies for an exploded view of your engine or use the search function. Or download this for some very detailed information; http://products.jacobsen.com/img/man...559-g01-gb.pdf

Chris.

Casey007

You guys are great! I will let you know how it goes.