G16 low power going uphill -> Need help troubleshooting

Bastoune

Hello all,

I have bought a used 1998 G16 stock golf cart three weeks ago and the golf cart seemed to work well (16mph on flat) initially. However, in the last week, the engine started to loose power going uphill. Problem seems to have gone worse. It is not going walking speed uphill with the engine turning at low RPM, despite flooring the pedal. The cart has no problem starting. Adding choke when going uphill does not solve the problem (engine quits).

In the last few weeks, I have changed the spark plug, fuel filter, oil (10W-30 synthetic) and air filter. During some cleaning activities, I had taken the carb out, but did not replace the three gaskets.

I have thought that I could have an air leak in the intake, between the carb and the engine. I have verified that the plastic space is not broken, but, as stated above, I did not replace the gaskets between the engine, spacer, carburator and airbox. Fuel is at least 4-5 month old.

What could be the root of my problems? Air leak, fuel starvation? What troubleshooting could I do to try to locate the source of this problem?

Thank you,

Bastoune

BGW

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1989Marathon

Assuming the motor is running well...
Sounds like the secondary clutch isn't backshifting like it should. If it just changed recently, check that the primary and secondary clutches are working freely as they should. If the motor is bogging down, the secondary isn't closing which should allow the primary to open back up to maintain engine rpm. Maybe a broken secondary spring?

Bastoune

Very good suggestion but not sure. I have just visually checked my secondary and the spring looks intact. The belt is on the secondary is high (it is should on a low or no RPM situation). From a stop going uphill, the engine does not seem to perform any better, so I assume that it is perhaps not a backshifting problem. It was nevertheless something to explore and check.

I need to perhaps add that the motor has never seem to be going strong going uphill. When I first bought it, I had noticed that I had to let off the throttle to get the best performance off the engine going uphill. It is almost that the engine was getting bogged down with full throttle. Now, going uphill requires full throttle but it is very slow (slow walking speed). I have a feel that my problem is more engine than transmission related. Any other thoughts?

sho305

Is the belt 1" wide or less, then its junk. A new belt will work the best (usually 1 3/16" wide). Make sure the airbox is completely sealed they get strange about that. Sounds like more of a clutch problem to me, I would check the motor mounts make sure the engine is not torquing over to the trans under load. Check the clutch odds are you have a roller clutch are the rollers all round and working. Are the alum sheaves on the clutches worn a lot, if so they will be dished in where the belt runs often. They will not shift right that way. In that case a 1/16" wider than stock belt may work better.

roosterracing

I bought one that sounds like what you are experiencing. Have you checked your throttle cable is working? Mine was broken under the floor. It still would start and go just no power. Check that when you push the pedal the carb opens.

Mike Mac

Replace the fuel. 5 months, its no good.

Bastoune

Guys, thanks for the input. Belt measured 1 5/32 so we'll call it good. I have done a temporary governor bypass to make sure that there was no problem there. Throttle works fine. With that being said, I rode around without the seat and I saw that the belt would not always ride on the high side of the rear pulley at low speed. I applied a bit on lubricant on three black plastic sliders on the side I'd the rear pulley and it seems that it has improved a bit the situation. I do think that I may have a weak spring ( although not broken). It there a spacer solution out there, short of buying a new, higher force spring to help with the low end torque?

Ps: can I salvage that gas by throwing some kind on additive? It's not that I care about buying a few extra gallons of gas, it is just that I do not know how to get ride of the old one cleanly on an environmental perspective...

Mike Mac

New gas, new belt, grease clutches, do all maint. Read this site for do's and don'ts. The more you read, the more you will understand.

dbmachine

The old gas makes good weed killer around the house.. J/k

Mike Mac

What ever, I'd take the tank out and clean it. New fuel filter, air filter to, if its not pretty clean. Maintenance is the key to good running car!