HD/Columbia Fuel Delivery Issue

beretta5spd

Hello all,

Being a newbie to the forum I can't post links to pictures yet... however if you wish to look at pictures please google:

photobucket beretta5spd

And you will see 5 pictures of my recently acquired cart in the first link: beretta5spd's library. Maybe one of the members/admins would be a gem and post the pics in this thread because I can't.

This is my first post here and I am a new owner of an old HD or Columbia 3 wheel cart. It seems to have some badges peeled off but it looks like it has/had a Columbia logo on the body and a HD logo on the engine. I bought for $100. You can tell me if that's a good deal or not.

The motor hardly ran when I first took it for a test drive. I got it home and it wouldn't start again. I pulled the spark plug and checked for spark. It definitely has spark.

I put the compression tester on it and it's up there at 70 psi. I was pleased with this as I *think* it is enough to run the motor well.

The spark plug itself after turning it over was covered in soot but very dry. It seems to have a fuel delivery problem.

I can only assume this cart has sat for a while. Please let me know where you would look to solve the fuel delivery issue.

Bonus points to anyone who can give me any more details on the year / model / engine / etc. of this cart I just bought.

Thanks in advance,

Dwight

BGW

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beretta5spd

I was able to locate the VIN... it was completely covered in dirt.

Columbia Car Corporation
Deerfield, Wisconsin

3B 10171 CA

Can anyone out there decode that for me please??

CharleyL

I can't help with the year/model questions, but it sounds like a carburetor cleaning/rebuild is your next step. While the carburetor is off you should check to see if the fuel pump is providing adequate flow. Hold a can over the end of the fuel line and crank the engine over a few revolutions. A tablespoon of gas is about right for 2 revolutions of the engine. Mostly you just need to see that it's working.

Charley

93yellowclubcar

3B = model D

CA = C means Columbia cart from 80s, are you sure the next one's an A? Usually its a number like 4 or 5 which would mean 84 or 85.

beretta5spd

Ah yes thank you. It is c4

And I will get around to the fuel pump. Thanks guys


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CharleyL

I have been replacing the mechanical fuel pumps with electric pumps. They do a much better job, the pressure is self regulating, and they can't put fuel in the crankcase when they go bad like the mechanical pumps do. Only 2 wires, red connects to key switch and black connects to ground or the frame. No bypass filter is needed either. Run the output of the fuel pump directly to the carburetor. They run about $70 at the auto parts store.

Charley

beretta5spd

It's interesting you bring that up. I have an old inline fuel pump that I bought for another piece of equipment. I put a pressure gauge on the line and it has max 3 psi. I think it averages 2-2.5 psi. I'm thinking that it might work in the situation but you seem like the expert here Charley and you could tell me better.

beretta5spd

Here are a couple pics:

Lochlin

I just got that exact same cart a couple of weeks ago (4th HD / Columbia). Your's is an 84 or 85 Columbia. Mine is an 85. The engines are pretty much the same as the earlier HD carts but there are some differences. $100 is a great deal.

About your cart:

You need a top end rebuild. 70 psi is too low. Sure, you may be able to get it to putter at 70 psi but you"ll never get a strong runner. Those engines should be 90+ psi. Don't fret a rebuild. This task isn't as tough as it seems although it'll cost a couple beans.

Fuel is always an issue wth these carts. They use vacuum pumps that use engine pressures to draw fuel. If you cart's seals aren't good it won't draw fuel well. Converting to an electric pump or replacing crankcase seals are the standard options.

Lochlin

Oh. There is a specific Columbia section on this site too. You may want to post there so as to get more action on your post. This is the "general" gas cart section which, really, means those carts that don't fit into the other sub-sections.