1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing

ryanjap33 · 07-19-2012, 08:23 PM

Hello

I have a 1988 ez go marathon with the 244cc robin 2pg engine. I have replaced the crank seals and performed a complete top end rebuild on my engine. All gaskets have been replaced along with a new replacement carb, fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plug etc. I have right around 140 psi compression in both forward and reverse. Immediately after the rebuild the engine ran great in reverse but would bog down in forward and seem to stutter or miss once the rpm's got to a certain level. The first thing is checked was
both of the clutches and they appear to be functioning properly in both forward and reverse. Eventually the cart/engine quit running altogether and will not start now.

I have verified fuel delivery by removing the hose from the carb and seeing fuel splurge as the engine cranked in forward and reverse. I have disconnected to exhaust pipe and muffler to verify the muffler was not plugged and I have also removed the spark plug numerous times and verified spark by grounding it to the fan shroud in both forward and reverso. Each time I remove the plug it is flooded wet with fuel.

Also, note that I have swamped out the replacement carb with the original and the engine still won't start.

I have taken the fan shroud back off to verify that I have the alignment marks on the fan aligned properly with the key in the shaft and it was aligned correctly.

The only thing I can think of preventing the engine to start is timing. Can anyone shed some light on this??? The engine was extremely dirty when I disassembled it making hard to mark any timing marks or the position of the magneto pick-up. I am thinking that after I replaced the cranks seals I installed the ignition pick up wrong or aligned it incorrectly causing the timing to be off enough to make it miss in forward and eventually not start. I've read this are very tolerant to the timing being out, so I'm not sure. Fuel, Spark and compression and it should run, but if not sparking at the right time It may not.

Any suggestions, or information on the proper timing settings or anything will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ryan J

madoc1 · 07-20-2012, 01:06 PM

welcome to BGW ryan. if you will look at the top of the forum, you will find a section named cart tech. go to the thread w/gold stars and find the bennetts carts link. they show a manual for 86-87 gas. should work for you. good luck.

jeffrun · 07-20-2012, 01:57 PM

Dont know if this helps, i have my 2pg apart now , was looking at the pulsar ring mounting location. Mine mounting bolts are located exactly in the center of the 2 arc slits/grouves .

racin161 · 07-21-2012, 07:08 AM

That's the proper location. You may even look for the old marks from the screw location before the rebuild and that would get you close or see if the case and plate has been marked before.

LOU

Plato_99 · 07-21-2012, 08:53 AM

When I rebuilt my 2pg nothing on the timing plate was marked, I marked it with witness marks before I dissembled it. I can tell you that the mounting screws on mine are not located dead center in the slot, mine were a little more than 1/4 of the way from one of the edges, but definately not centered. Mine runs fine. I'm not saying this is the correct location as I'm not sure how to verify the timing, but I figure why screw with it if it runs good.

I'd also be interested in knowing how to correctly verify/set the timing.

madoc1 · 07-21-2012, 09:13 AM

little more info.

Plato_99 · 07-21-2012, 10:26 AM

That's it! Much appreciated.

I'm holding a 2pg pulsar mounting plate in my hand as I type this. Soon as I get this motor reassembled & running I'm going to check the timing as the procedure details. Adding these pages to my 85' Marathon documentation.....which is sparse.

racin161 · 07-21-2012, 07:08 PM

madoc1 this should be a stickey it's asked all the time. Could some one post it!!

Thanks LOU

amcjeep · 07-21-2012, 10:23 PM

Timing being off shouldn't cause it not to run at all....if anything it would run better either in forward or reverse depending on which way the timing was off.

ryanjap33 · 09-06-2012, 11:26 AM

I'll keep you posted. I got side tracked on other projects and am getting back into my cart now. Now I'm having issued getting the flywheel off. Came off the first time without a problem, now I'm stripping bolts and nuts trying to pull it off with my puller. I may have to drill the woodruff key.

Thanks for all your input thus far.

07-19-2012, 08:23 PM	#1
ryanjap33 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 39	1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing Hello I have a 1988 ez go marathon with the 244cc robin 2pg engine. I have replaced the crank seals and performed a complete top end rebuild on my engine. All gaskets have been replaced along with a new replacement carb, fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plug etc. I have right around 140 psi compression in both forward and reverse. Immediately after the rebuild the engine ran great in reverse but would bog down in forward and seem to stutter or miss once the rpm's got to a certain level. The first thing is checked was both of the clutches and they appear to be functioning properly in both forward and reverse. Eventually the cart/engine quit running altogether and will not start now. I have verified fuel delivery by removing the hose from the carb and seeing fuel splurge as the engine cranked in forward and reverse. I have disconnected to exhaust pipe and muffler to verify the muffler was not plugged and I have also removed the spark plug numerous times and verified spark by grounding it to the fan shroud in both forward and reverso. Each time I remove the plug it is flooded wet with fuel. Also, note that I have swamped out the replacement carb with the original and the engine still won't start. I have taken the fan shroud back off to verify that I have the alignment marks on the fan aligned properly with the key in the shaft and it was aligned correctly. The only thing I can think of preventing the engine to start is timing. Can anyone shed some light on this??? The engine was extremely dirty when I disassembled it making hard to mark any timing marks or the position of the magneto pick-up. I am thinking that after I replaced the cranks seals I installed the ignition pick up wrong or aligned it incorrectly causing the timing to be off enough to make it miss in forward and eventually not start. I've read this are very tolerant to the timing being out, so I'm not sure. Fuel, Spark and compression and it should run, but if not sparking at the right time It may not. Any suggestions, or information on the proper timing settings or anything will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ryan J

07-20-2012, 01:06 PM	#2
madoc1 no clue Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: spicewood, texas Posts: 3,308	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing welcome to BGW ryan. if you will look at the top of the forum, you will find a section named cart tech. go to the thread w/gold stars and find the bennetts carts link. they show a manual for 86-87 gas. should work for you. good luck.

07-20-2012, 01:57 PM	#3
jeffrun Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Washington State Posts: 385	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing Dont know if this helps, i have my 2pg apart now , was looking at the pulsar ring mounting location. Mine mounting bolts are located exactly in the center of the 2 arc slits/grouves .

07-21-2012, 07:08 AM	#4
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing That's the proper location. You may even look for the old marks from the screw location before the rebuild and that would get you close or see if the case and plate has been marked before. LOU
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

07-21-2012, 08:53 AM	#5
Plato_99 Not Yet Wild Join Date: May 2012 Location: CONUS Posts: 29	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing When I rebuilt my 2pg nothing on the timing plate was marked, I marked it with witness marks before I dissembled it. I can tell you that the mounting screws on mine are not located dead center in the slot, mine were a little more than 1/4 of the way from one of the edges, but definately not centered. Mine runs fine. I'm not saying this is the correct location as I'm not sure how to verify the timing, but I figure why screw with it if it runs good. I'd also be interested in knowing how to correctly verify/set the timing.

Today
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07-21-2012, 10:26 AM	#7
Plato_99 Not Yet Wild Join Date: May 2012 Location: CONUS Posts: 29	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing That's it! Much appreciated. I'm holding a 2pg pulsar mounting plate in my hand as I type this. Soon as I get this motor reassembled & running I'm going to check the timing as the procedure details. Adding these pages to my 85' Marathon documentation.....which is sparse.

07-21-2012, 07:08 PM	#8
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing madoc1 this should be a stickey it's asked all the time. Could some one post it!! Thanks LOU
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

07-21-2012, 10:23 PM	#9
amcjeep Getting Wild Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 105	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing Timing being off shouldn't cause it not to run at all....if anything it would run better either in forward or reverse depending on which way the timing was off.

09-06-2012, 11:26 AM	#10
ryanjap33 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 39	Re: 1988 EZGO 2pg Ignition Timing I'll keep you posted. I got side tracked on other projects and am getting back into my cart now. Now I'm having issued getting the flywheel off. Came off the first time without a problem, now I'm stripping bolts and nuts trying to pull it off with my puller. I may have to drill the woodruff key. Thanks for all your input thus far.

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