running hot- trouble shooting help?

[RudeJoe]

My '89 CC seems to be running hot. Sure smells that way anyway. After riding around (and up the hills in our neighborhood) the cart runs slower and smells hot. Any suggestions on where to begin? Thanks!

[ckiguy]

Hmm last maintance done when? Oil getting good clean unobstructed air to engine, nothing on tailpipe? No forighn debris on belts, or around engne area?

[RudeJoe]

- I put in a new spark plug recently.
- Changed out the rusted out muffler with a second hand muffler (without holes :)
- Oil level is fine.
- I power washed the whole engine compartment about a month ago. Nothing that shouldn't be in there.
- changed out the starter belt a couple weeks ago.

Still seems to be the same as when I bought it 2 months ago.

It may be unrelated but it does seem like it runs better/faster/with more power if I let up on the gas for a couple seconds after running for a while. It accelerates quickly and seems to have more power for a few seconds.

Thanks

[DOOmsman]

Next time it does it, stop right there and pull
the spark plug and look at the color. Any
lighter than a house mouse tan and you may
need to clean the carb.

[RudeJoe]

So, you think it is not getting enough fuel? Thanks

[DOOmsman]

Maybe and it is an easy check to make.

[RudeJoe]

And that could cause it to run hot?

[DOOmsman]

Oh yes, a lean engine will burn holes in the top of pistons.

[simple man]

Make sure your cooling fins are not obstructed. If you have access to an air hose blow out the fins in reverse of the airflow. You'll be amazed at the crap that comes out! If you can't get compressed air, remove the shields around the engine and brush the debris out of the fins. I've had rat nests, wasp nests, etc in the fins! Then as " DOOmsman " said + replace your fuel filter and ( I know this hurts the wallet ), run premium fuel in it! The gas we have now sucks! These engines were not made to run on alcohol gas. The premium at least has better cleaning agents and less alcohol than cheap gas. We have available here 89 octane with no alcohol. It costs more than premium! How does it cost more not to put something in the gas?Only our government has the answer to that!

[RudeJoe]

As a follow-up. I pulled my cart out of storage this past weekend. It had stopped running last fall and it looked like the fuel filter was empty of fuel. I cleaned the fuel pump, cleaned the carb, checked all the fuel lines, and adjusted the carb needle setting to 1.5 turns from in(was 1-1/4) after putting it back together. Not sure I actually did anything to benefit the cart with the cleaning but it does seem to be running better and cooler than before. It seemed to pick up some RPMs when I opened up the needle value.

Simple man- just reread your post and had forgotten your advice about fuel and cleaning the cooling fins. I'll give that a try also.

Thanks for the help.