88 Marathon needs choke a lot to start..

mopar92 · 05-07-2010, 10:16 AM

This thing sure runs great, good low speed idle and good top end, good throttle response, but man does it need 5 seconds worth of choke to start when it's cold, and hot, still needs either 1-2 seconds of choke, or, wide open throttle to start with no choke, and it's not a crisp fire up. Usually when it's warm, you just have to floor it for a few seconds and it finally, slowly, fires up and runs great... any thoughts? I'd love to think that these Marathons can just fire right up when they are tuned right once they are warm. I've never put a carb kit in it since I've had it a year. Thanks. Keith

Saltysteele · 05-09-2010, 09:23 PM

I don't know if yours is a 2 stroke or 4. mine is a 4 stroke, did the same thing until i re-adjusted my valve lashing. not hard to do, check it out in the tech section

worth a try

mopar92 · 05-09-2010, 09:25 PM

2 cycle!!

GoTeeMan · 05-10-2010, 08:50 AM

Jack it up put jack stands under the rear end, start it up and spray carb cleaner by the throttle shaft. If the RPM changes the throttle shaft is sucking air causing the cart to run lean and require more fuel to start. Answer - Put a carb on it!

If it doens't change, spray by the crank seals. Again if there is any change you have found something you need to replace.

Good luck

05-07-2010, 10:16 AM	#1
mopar92 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 371	88 Marathon needs choke a lot to start.. This thing sure runs great, good low speed idle and good top end, good throttle response, but man does it need 5 seconds worth of choke to start when it's cold, and hot, still needs either 1-2 seconds of choke, or, wide open throttle to start with no choke, and it's not a crisp fire up. Usually when it's warm, you just have to floor it for a few seconds and it finally, slowly, fires up and runs great... any thoughts? I'd love to think that these Marathons can just fire right up when they are tuned right once they are warm. I've never put a carb kit in it since I've had it a year. Thanks. Keith
mopar92 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 371

05-09-2010, 09:23 PM	#2
Saltysteele Home of the Teeny Weaney Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SW Mich. Posts: 1,013	Re: 88 Marathon needs choke a lot to start.. I don't know if yours is a 2 stroke or 4. mine is a 4 stroke, did the same thing until i re-adjusted my valve lashing. not hard to do, check it out in the tech section worth a try

05-09-2010, 09:25 PM	#3
mopar92 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 371	Re: 88 Marathon needs choke a lot to start.. 2 cycle!!
mopar92 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 371

05-10-2010, 08:50 AM	#4
GoTeeMan EZ Like Sunday Morning Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Owatonna, Minnesota Posts: 465	Re: 88 Marathon needs choke a lot to start.. Jack it up put jack stands under the rear end, start it up and spray carb cleaner by the throttle shaft. If the RPM changes the throttle shaft is sucking air causing the cart to run lean and require more fuel to start. Answer - Put a carb on it! If it doens't change, spray by the crank seals. Again if there is any change you have found something you need to replace. Good luck

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