Should I repair / replace Kawasaki FZ340D engine

[madcartowner]

I own a used 1988 Gas Club Car with a Kawasaki FZ340D engine. I had been having trouble with the cart failing to climb hills. After spending a lot of $ with "golf cart mechanics" and replacing the clutches, I have finally had someone check the compression of the engine. Apparently, the engine should be putting out 180 cc but I'm only getting 110 cc compression.

I need advice on the best & most inexpensive option for making my cart what it use to be.

The options I'm thinking of are rebuilding the engine or replacing it with a new engine. I cannot find any FZ340D engines online. Are there any other engines that can be used as a replacement that can be bolted in with no major changes?

[fastercarter]

Originally Posted by madcartowner

I own a used 1988 Gas Club Car with a Kawasaki FZ340D engine. I had been having trouble with the cart failing to climb hills. After spending a lot of $ with "golf cart mechanics" and replacing the clutches, I have finally had someone check the compression of the engine. Apparently, the engine should be putting out 180 cc but I'm only getting 110 cc compression.

I need advice on the best & most inexpensive option for making my cart what it use to be.

The options I'm thinking of are rebuilding the engine or replacing it with a new engine. I cannot find any FZ340D engines online. Are there any other engines that can be used as a replacement that can be bolted in with no major changes?

KF parts are hard to find at sensible prices these days and bolting an FE series engine in there is no easy or cheap job, certainly not a five minute "cup o tea" task. If your cart is in great shape I'd consider a clone swap, If it's only fair shape I'd dump it. But having said that, new piston rings, and a valve adjustment may well help you out. Simple check; pull the spark plug and shoot some oil down the hole. Jump in compression = ring / bore wear, no change would suggest a valve issue.
At that point you make your own determination.


FC

[madcartowner]

Thanks so much FC. You've given me more information than anyone else wants to give.

I'm no mechanic by any means - but I can turn a wrench.
I've gone to several golf cart mechanics and they all just want to sell me the newest thing out instead addressing the problem. My cart is in excellent garage kept shape so I definitely don't want to scrap it.
I just want a common sense answer to a fix without putting more money into it than is necessary. I don't mind spending the money to fix it, I'm just done with guessing what's wrong with it.

[fastercarter]

Originally Posted by madcartowner

Thanks so much FC. You've given me more information than anyone else wants to give.

I'm no mechanic by any means - but I can turn a wrench.
I've gone to several golf cart mechanics and they all just want to sell me the newest thing out instead addressing the problem. My cart is in excellent garage kept shape so I definitely don't want to scrap it.
I just want a common sense answer to a fix without putting more money into it than is necessary. I don't mind spending the money to fix it, I'm just done with guessing what's wrong with it.

Your KF series engine is pretty bullet proof unless it's been mercilessly thrashed. Ask Tom (Shadowman) He has much experience with them and is a veritable font of knowledge. A good person to query when it comes to those motors but my reply stands; Do those tests and let's see where we go from there.

FC

[Doc's BoneCracker]

F.C. is right about Tom and right about the test's even if you only need a valve job it is pretty easy to do and we're here to walk you thru it.