1985 EZ Go Marathon Gas won't start

Kcezgo · 08-25-2021, 05:44 PM

Bought this earlier this year. Here is my history. Started and ran good. It was loud so I replcaced the muffler. It had vibration and found a slight wobble in the drive clutch. Replaced it. Starter solenoid acted up. Replaced it. Drove it half way around the block and it died. Has not fired since.

Spark seems good. Tried ether and gas direct into intake. Nothing. Could blow gas all the way thru to the carb input. Fuel pump would only show slight "bubbling" of gas. Replaced it. No change - still only "bubbles" slightly.

While working on it found other rattle points but it has not run enough to see if it still has a vibration.

Any ideas? I know remote diagnosis is difficult but trying a long shot. I do not live close to a shop and do not have a trailer. I am not a mechanic and this is my first golf cart but I have been a DIYer in many things since preteen years including engine work.

cart around · 08-25-2021, 06:06 PM

Crankshaft seals.

Yank the engine. Replace them. Stake in three places each, and use Loctite.

You will need to remove the flywheel, and drive clutch. Both of those are completely different ordeals on their own.

Post number 22 has the 85 manual. https://buggiesgonewild.com/showthre...=105501&page=3

EDIT: Let us know your game plan, and we can walk you through it.

cart around · 08-25-2021, 06:14 PM

Also want to say here are the keys to the diagnosis.

Good spark
Fuel barely bubbles with new pump.
Spraying ether, and gas directly with no attempt to start.

That all screams crankshaft seals.

Did it happen to backfire before it died?

I also see that you have already removed the drive clutch once. That's half of the battle.

Kcezgo · 08-25-2021, 10:39 PM

I was afraid that would be the answer. Both seals need to be replaced? With the slight wobble does that also mean bearings? Can the seal on the output side be replaced without pulling the engine? Does the engine have to be disassembled to replace the seals? It did not backfire.

I have a downloaded manual but will check out the one you referred to.

I have the ability to do things, just don't always know what to do.

cart around · 08-26-2021, 05:13 AM

Absolutely change both seals. It's not worth trying to do it without removing the engine. Once the clutch is off, shake the crankshaft to check the bearings.

08-25-2021, 05:44 PM	#1
Kcezgo Not Yet Wild Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 3	1985 EZ Go Marathon Gas won't start Bought this earlier this year. Here is my history. Started and ran good. It was loud so I replcaced the muffler. It had vibration and found a slight wobble in the drive clutch. Replaced it. Starter solenoid acted up. Replaced it. Drove it half way around the block and it died. Has not fired since. Spark seems good. Tried ether and gas direct into intake. Nothing. Could blow gas all the way thru to the carb input. Fuel pump would only show slight "bubbling" of gas. Replaced it. No change - still only "bubbles" slightly. While working on it found other rattle points but it has not run enough to see if it still has a vibration. Any ideas? I know remote diagnosis is difficult but trying a long shot. I do not live close to a shop and do not have a trailer. I am not a mechanic and this is my first golf cart but I have been a DIYer in many things since preteen years including engine work.
Kcezgo Not Yet Wild Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 3

08-25-2021, 06:06 PM	#2
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: 1985 EZ Go Marathon Gas won't start Crankshaft seals. Yank the engine. Replace them. Stake in three places each, and use Loctite. You will need to remove the flywheel, and drive clutch. Both of those are completely different ordeals on their own. Post number 22 has the 85 manual. https://buggiesgonewild.com/showthre...=105501&page=3 EDIT: Let us know your game plan, and we can walk you through it.

08-25-2021, 06:14 PM	#3
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: 1985 EZ Go Marathon Gas won't start Also want to say here are the keys to the diagnosis. Good spark Fuel barely bubbles with new pump. Spraying ether, and gas directly with no attempt to start. That all screams crankshaft seals. Did it happen to backfire before it died? I also see that you have already removed the drive clutch once. That's half of the battle.

08-25-2021, 10:39 PM	#4
Kcezgo Not Yet Wild Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 3	Re: 1985 EZ Go Marathon Gas won't start I was afraid that would be the answer. Both seals need to be replaced? With the slight wobble does that also mean bearings? Can the seal on the output side be replaced without pulling the engine? Does the engine have to be disassembled to replace the seals? It did not backfire. I have a downloaded manual but will check out the one you referred to. I have the ability to do things, just don't always know what to do.
Kcezgo Not Yet Wild Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 3

08-26-2021, 05:13 AM	#5
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: 1985 EZ Go Marathon Gas won't start Absolutely change both seals. It's not worth trying to do it without removing the engine. Once the clutch is off, shake the crankshaft to check the bearings.

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