1988 EZ GO Marathon

[Jcrouch023]

Good morning guys,

So a month or so I fixed up this 1988 EZ GO marathon 2pg gas golf cart and had been driving it just fine. Back when I fixed it, engine was rebuilt, new S/G, solenoid, battery, spark plugs, carb, pretty much everything except the clutch or driven clutch.

I do mix my own gas and oil now that I took the oil pump out..and I always make sure to measure it out properly.

Well, it had been struggling up hills and noticed some grooves in the clutch like it was going bad. But, like I said, it has been driving fine other than the hill issue. So, yesterday I drove it on my furthest trip yet (maybe 5 miles or so) and all of the sudden it stalled out on me. I noticed the bolts had rattled loose in the exhaust and it was turned a little bit. Everything was EXTREMELY hot! The plastic driven clutch was basically goopy and melted. The gas can top bubbled up like melted plastic does, and the gas can itself was even starting to change shapes due to getting so hot.


Just wondering, would this all be because of my clutch going out..or do I have some other problems here I need to start looking into with the excessive heat.

Thanks!

Josh

[CP241]

If theres that much heat in the engine compartment it sounds like it's running super lean. I'd check everything and make sure everything is tight and no leaks on the intake side - carb gaskets, reed gaskets, make sure the crank seals arent melted and leaking... make sure timing is correct and not too far advanced.

[Jcrouch023]

Originally Posted by CP241

If theres that much heat in the engine compartment it sounds like it's running super lean. I'd check everything and make sure everything is tight and no leaks on the intake side - carb gaskets, reed gaskets, make sure the crank seals arent melted and leaking... make sure timing is correct and not too far advanced.

Thanks. I’ll try to double check all of that. I did just replace the crank seals about a month ago, so those should be good.

I wonder if it is a carb related issue..because the cart does backfire, too, and I hear loud POPs like gunshots when I let off the gas or slow down.


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[LukeL]

Are you sure your exhaust gasket is good? It sounds exactly like my 3PG does when it blows that out.

Extra heat, and they run very poorly with a muffler leak, including popping while you slow down.

[Dabble Inn]

Holy crap!! Since it got that hot you should check the fan blades too, They're just plastic

[cart around]

Let's see some pictures.

[Jcrouch023]

Originally Posted by Dabble Inn

Holy crap!! Since it got that hot you should check the fan blades too, They're just plastic

Honestly it wasn’t the engine area that got that hot. The post makes sense above about the exhaust gaskets. I noticed all the bolts came loose holding the exhaust in place and it was that side of the cart that got hot. Melted the clutch cover and gas can. Engine appears to be fine. Looks like the weld might have broke on the exhaust too.

I’ll take pics in morning.


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[LukeL]

I’ve found if you can’t talk at a normal volume to someone sitting next to you, you have an exhaust gasket problem.

[Jcrouch023]

Originally Posted by LukeL

I’ve found if you can’t talk at a normal volume to someone sitting next to you, you have an exhaust gasket problem.

Thanks! I definitely can’t since it’s been running. I just figured it was loud, didn’t even consider the other problems it could lead to.







Here’s some pics of the melted gas cap from getting too hot. The melted plastic clutch cover. And also the pic where I’m pointing is where my exhaust actually cracked from the bolts coming loose and jolting around I would assume. I think I’ll take the exhaust off tomorrow and have my uncle weld it and also will order some new gaskets.


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[CP241]

holy crap on a cracker batman, sure glad it didn't catch fire!!!!!