yamaha gas cart having drive issues

[Mike Mac]

Check oil in rear end, rubber plug in back cover. Should be up to bottom of hole in cover
Jack up and turn each wheel to see if brakes are dragging.

If it were mine, I wouldn't spend any big money, other than a battery. I would scan this whole site and read every post on G16's and do all maintenance pertaining to it. I've read this whole site 3 times in 2 yrs. trying to learn and retain what is in here.

Down load the "G16 Owners Manual" from the sticky above, "Owners manual and parts catalog" read it and do all maint.

Another thing to start looking at are, Motor mounts.

100% of good running cars, are good running cars, because of maintenance.

[BEEKER]

I left the battery off the charger for 2 days, checked it tonight and 12.71v. Took the battery out to clean the terminals and popped the fuse in the process. I didn't have a spare fuse so I need to grab on tomorrow. Also going to clean the terminals real well, they are pretty gunked up and it was hard to get a consistent reading with the volt meter.

I checked the differential fluid in the rear end and it was low, and very, very dirty. I will pull the cover tomorrow and take a look at the gears inside. Replace fluid and see how it goes after that. If I still have issues with the battery after cleaning the connections I will take it down Friday to have it load tested.

If this doesn't work, I will probably see what I can get for the cart and sell it to try working on another project.

[Mike Mac]

Don't know if the other project is another golf cart, if it is, I think I would keep this one, you've spent alot of money. And I don't believe there is a serous problem with this one.
Just maint. and your going to have to do it on any cart you get. Read and learn my friend!

[BEEKER]

Success!!! Thanks Mike Mac and others for all your assistance.

I opened the differential cover and drained a few drops of whatever was actually in there. The rear end gears were running almost completely dry. The stuff that came out was similar to syrup. Very thick and almost glue like, not very much of it either. I drained it, cleaned everything out and the gears looked to be in good shape despite the lack of fluid. I replaced the gasket and refilled with gear oil based on the Yamaha owners manual information I read from the sticky!

On another note...

I was cleaning the battery posts and purchased new battery terminals ends. I decided to replace them because one was very rusty. I was in the process of changing out the ends and noticed a spot on the cable covered with electrical tape (never a good sign) I peeled back the tape from the negative terminal to the generator and there was a 6" bare spot that was covered in mud and water and wrapped up in tape. I ran to the store and purchased a new cable and installed it.

Cart fired right up and I put it in reverse and it responded, actually seemed to have pretty good torque this time. I put it in drive and off we went. I drove around the neighborhood for about an hour and everything seemed fine. Cart blew white smoke for a little while but seemed to stop (may be the carb cleaner burn of, etc.) Cart is running a little rich but that could either take time with running it more frequently or adjustments on the carburetor if necessary. Cart was not backfiring or sputtering and was responsive on and off road. Took it through some knee - waist high grass, small hills, etc.

[bigstik40]

Beeker - I've been following your thread and am glad to see that you are making good progress and are up and running . I would suggest that now that you have a working cart some more maintenance would be in order. I would give it a new spark plug (check the forum for the correct
ngk plug to use), then get into the air cleaner to see what you have there. At a minimum you can clean up the housing and examine the condition of the element, also you can wash the pre-filter. (Your call as to condition of air cleaner). When I checked mine after purshasing my cart, I deemed it usable as it wasn't too bad. Make sure the air cleaner housing seals up correctly on reassembly as air cleaner housings on these carts can cause drivability issues (many threads here attest to that fact). You can also jack up the front and spin the wheels listening for roughness in the front wheel bearings. I'm sure there are other things that could/should be checked. Good luck and have fun now . Ray

[Mike Mac]

Good deal Beek!! Glad to hear! But like Stik said, keep up with the maint. Until your satisfied its running the best it can run! Read this sites old threads, you will learn alot!!

Also change out the other battery cable for a new one as well. Then with a volt meter on the battery, note battery voltage. Then start car, and note battery voltage while reving up the motor. Hope the battery voltage increases to 14/15 volts, telling you its charging the battery.
Enjoy your new ride a bit, then you will be ready to do more! Mike

Now we want pictures!