Can't get 82 Gas to start

dysfunkshun

I bought a 1982 gas EZGO over the weekend, had another thread going, but it was lost along with me in the crash. The previous owner said he rebuilt the entire engine a little over a year ago, then put it in storage. I brought it home Saturday and put a new ignition, battery, and spark plug in it, and couldn't get it to go. I took the carb out and drained it, seemed like it was ok, and gave it another try. It turns over, but won't start. Its getting good spark, the carb is sucking pretty well, and the engine is pushing my finger off with the spark plug removed. So I'm stuck now, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It tries, never sputters or anything like that, and kind of moves forward about an inch when I try to start it, but I can't seem to get it running. Anything sound off? Thanks advance for your help!

BGW

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cart around

You never said if you have good fuel flow. Take the carburetor apart, and give it a real good cleaning. I would also take the fuel pump apart, and clean it real good while checking for ripped diaphragms. Being in storage for a year is your most likely problem.

The previous owner rebuilt the engine, says it ran good, and then lost interest. On the off chance that he is a liar, pull off the exhaust pipe, and turn over the engine by hand. You should be able to see the piston moving up and down. If you see a big square hole in the side of the piston, he put it in backwards, and never had it running.

If the cart tries to move while starting it, the belt is engaged, and your clutch is most likely stuck from sitting too long. Your belt should be loose while just sitting there.

dysfunkshun

Thats kinda what I was thinking, I just went ahead and ordered a new carb, fuel pump, filter, and all new fuel line. Figured I would need it someday anyways, might as well get that started. As far as the clutch, he told me "the centrifugal clutch was slipping from time to time" and that was the only problem he knew of. When the cart is sitting, the belt is loose, and it tightens up when I turn it over. I'll probably have to order a new clutch at some point, but I wanted to get it running first and see how bad it was before I ordered it. Or will the cart not start if the clutch is "slipping?" Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated!!

redcloud

Did you check the fuel filters? Time can plug them with junk if sitting. Did you try a hit of starting fluid to see if you got a fire?
Check to see if you feel good pulsing from block when you are turning the engine over. No pulsing and no fuel. That may be a seal issue if no pulsing. Some guys just install new piston, rings and jug but go no farther with new crank seals as that requires splitting the engine.
Just throwing out some things to check.

BenH

On my 88 2 cycle, a mouse had decided to take refuge in the housing that sits between the engine and the carb, as the previous owner had it sitting around for a couple years prior with the choke open and gas pedal down. I must have had that carb off 5 times before I found that nest way down at the bottom. I have also seen this if the cart is driven over high grass/freshly mown with the air filter off. It can suck stuff down in there and basically act like a sponge (taking the same cart for a test drive after I cleaned it the first time, not the smartest thing I ever did).

I believe the 82 has the same 90 degree housing and If you have the carb off, it may be worth it to pull that housing and plate off to make sure it isn't blocked.

dysfunkshun

Thank you for the help! I got the new carb, fuel pump, and fuel line yesterday, the filter is supposed to come today. Once I get the filter, I can make the last connections to the tank and give it a go! How would I be able to tell which clutch is bad, as the previous owner said the "centrifugal clutch is slipping?"

dysfunkshun

Good news is the filter came in today and I was able to put it all together and get her to fire up!! Thank you all again for your help! Now, its putting out a ton of smoke and only goes about 5mph, what can i do to fix those issues? Am I running to much oil in the premix?

dysfunkshun

oh yeah, I'm running 128:1 2 stroke oil to gas

sccowboy

That's the correct ratio.... How's the compression? Is the throttle plate on the carb opening all the way?

cart around

Put it up on jack stands, and run it and see if the engine is really winding up the way it's supposed to. Maybe that clutch you were talking about is an issue.

I would still really like you to take the exhaust pipe off at the cylinder to see if the previous owner put the piston in backwards. Maybe I'm cynical, but with a fresh rebuild, new carb, and new pump, that thing should be screaming right now.