Running bad, better in reverse

Stone · 11-09-2017, 12:41 PM

Hey:

1986 EZG Marathon gas.

I have been here a while and I have read in the past about these carts running better in reverse being a timing issue but here is the problem; I have to try to fix before deer season .... two weeks. And I don't have much time to work on it

It never ran better in reverse until recently, it just started. It is hard to get started in forward but starts well in reverse. I have a long steep hill which often causes backfiring and the poor running seemed to start after a number of backfires. Thoughts?

1. Is there a power valve (so to speak) in the carb that can be damaged from backfiring?

2. What can cause timing to change?

3. What else could I be dealing with?

Spicyunicorn · 11-09-2017, 01:49 PM

No power valves in carb back firing can cause cranks seal damage....that being said you need to do a compression check and hope it comes out ok

cart around · 11-09-2017, 06:21 PM

Bad crankshaft seals have no affect on compression.

I do believe that your symptoms point to bad seals.

Skoal82 · 11-09-2017, 06:47 PM

I would second bad crank seals.

Stone · 11-10-2017, 08:31 AM

Thanks guys. I am headed down to the cabin today and will be looking it over.

Can someone tell me why it would run better in reverse is the crank seals are bad?

cart around · 11-10-2017, 08:48 AM

The engines spend more time running forward, and wear the seals a certain way.
Running the engine backwards changes that wear pattern, and for some reason seals better.

Stone · 11-10-2017, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cart around

The engines spend more time running forward, and wear the seals a certain way.
Running the engine backwards changes that wear pattern, and for some reason seals better.

Makes sense. Thank you!

Stone · 11-10-2017, 09:40 AM

Last question. I think?

Any short term (temporary) fix since I cant have the engine rebuilt before deer season?

Stone · 11-13-2017, 08:00 AM

Update:

I found a guy who works on these for a living and he was willing to help a fellow hunter out in a pinch. He is going to fix it and have it back to me before deer season (November 27th). Keeping my fingers crossed!

11-09-2017, 12:41 PM	#1
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180	Running bad, better in reverse Hey: 1986 EZG Marathon gas. I have been here a while and I have read in the past about these carts running better in reverse being a timing issue but here is the problem; I have to try to fix before deer season .... two weeks. And I don't have much time to work on it It never ran better in reverse until recently, it just started. It is hard to get started in forward but starts well in reverse. I have a long steep hill which often causes backfiring and the poor running seemed to start after a number of backfires. Thoughts? 1. Is there a power valve (so to speak) in the carb that can be damaged from backfiring? 2. What can cause timing to change? 3. What else could I be dealing with?
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180

11-09-2017, 01:49 PM	#2
Spicyunicorn Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 1,669	Re: Running bad, better in reverse No power valves in carb back firing can cause cranks seal damage....that being said you need to do a compression check and hope it comes out ok

11-09-2017, 06:21 PM	#3
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,495	Re: Running bad, better in reverse Bad crankshaft seals have no affect on compression. I do believe that your symptoms point to bad seals.

11-09-2017, 06:47 PM	#4
Skoal82 Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Central mn Posts: 1,036	Re: Running bad, better in reverse I would second bad crank seals.

11-10-2017, 08:31 AM	#5
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180	Re: Running bad, better in reverse Thanks guys. I am headed down to the cabin today and will be looking it over. Can someone tell me why it would run better in reverse is the crank seals are bad?
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180

Today
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11-10-2017, 08:48 AM	#6
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,495	Re: Running bad, better in reverse The engines spend more time running forward, and wear the seals a certain way. Running the engine backwards changes that wear pattern, and for some reason seals better.

11-10-2017, 09:40 AM	#8
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180	Re: Running bad, better in reverse Last question. I think? Any short term (temporary) fix since I cant have the engine rebuilt before deer season?
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180

11-13-2017, 08:00 AM	#9
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180	Re: Running bad, better in reverse Update: I found a guy who works on these for a living and he was willing to help a fellow hunter out in a pinch. He is going to fix it and have it back to me before deer season (November 27th). Keeping my fingers crossed!
Stone Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 180

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