Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward

jake13 · 04-17-2016, 08:25 PM

I have a ezgo marathon 2 cycle that I just bought, when purchased it would only run about half. Since then I have replaced carb, spark plug, battery, and cleaned fuel tank and placed with fresh mix. At times the cart will start in forward if u play with gas peddle. Once running it will run strong. It will also always start in reverse some what easy. It does have some play in the drive belt. I'm new to golf carts and writing questions so sorry if its not diect.

Cp752 · 04-19-2016, 02:55 PM

Had the same problem with my 89 ezgo marathon 3pg motor i adjusted the belt on the stater generator starts right up now

cart around · 04-19-2016, 05:32 PM

The drive belt is supposed to be loose. The starter belt should be tight.

Starting, and running better in reverse is usually signs of worn crankshaft seals.

Before jumping right into seals, I would take the fuel pump apart to check for a ripped diaphragm. Give me a second to find my pictures.

EDIT: Here you go. http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-e...fuel-pump.html

racin161 · 04-20-2016, 12:16 PM

Start by cleaning the F/R switch contacts

spray carb cleaner and work the switch back and forth while blowing with compressed air then repeat a few more times. Sounds like the contacts are dirty. Just a cheap guess

Lou

jake13 · 04-20-2016, 08:23 PM

Thanks for info. I Checked compression forward and backward and both are equal at 100 pounds. Since posting for some reason it ran ok the other day and I let the six year old drive it around the yard for about an hour and for what ever reason it does start a little better. Not 100% but around 85% of the time it will start now in forward. I'm leaning towards crank seal also.

jake13 · 04-20-2016, 08:25 PM

If it was the control switch not making contact will it still turn over and have spark?

racin161 · 04-20-2016, 08:27 PM

No !! wouldn't crank at all.

Lou

jake13 · 04-20-2016, 08:37 PM

Thanks, When it does not start I'm getting good spark and it is cranking over.

jake13 · 04-20-2016, 09:50 PM

By the way if it does need crank shaft seal how difficult of a job is that.

my1423 · 04-20-2016, 11:33 PM

I read 2 separate threads with this same issue from different authors.
I posted in the wrong one.

+1 for crank seals.

04-17-2016, 08:25 PM	#1
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15	Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward I have a ezgo marathon 2 cycle that I just bought, when purchased it would only run about half. Since then I have replaced carb, spark plug, battery, and cleaned fuel tank and placed with fresh mix. At times the cart will start in forward if u play with gas peddle. Once running it will run strong. It will also always start in reverse some what easy. It does have some play in the drive belt. I'm new to golf carts and writing questions so sorry if its not diect.
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15

04-19-2016, 02:55 PM	#2
Cp752 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 12	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward Had the same problem with my 89 ezgo marathon 3pg motor i adjusted the belt on the stater generator starts right up now
Cp752 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 12

04-19-2016, 05:32 PM	#3
cart around Test before replacing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ohio side of the Pennsylvania border. Posts: 3,496	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward The drive belt is supposed to be loose. The starter belt should be tight. Starting, and running better in reverse is usually signs of worn crankshaft seals. Before jumping right into seals, I would take the fuel pump apart to check for a ripped diaphragm. Give me a second to find my pictures. EDIT: Here you go. http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-e...fuel-pump.html

04-20-2016, 12:16 PM	#4
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward Start by cleaning the F/R switch contacts spray carb cleaner and work the switch back and forth while blowing with compressed air then repeat a few more times. Sounds like the contacts are dirty. Just a cheap guess Lou
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

04-20-2016, 08:23 PM	#5
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward Thanks for info. I Checked compression forward and backward and both are equal at 100 pounds. Since posting for some reason it ran ok the other day and I let the six year old drive it around the yard for about an hour and for what ever reason it does start a little better. Not 100% but around 85% of the time it will start now in forward. I'm leaning towards crank seal also.
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15

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04-20-2016, 08:25 PM	#6
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward If it was the control switch not making contact will it still turn over and have spark?
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15

04-20-2016, 08:27 PM	#7
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward No !! wouldn't crank at all. Lou
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

04-20-2016, 08:37 PM	#8
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward Thanks, When it does not start I'm getting good spark and it is cranking over.
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15

04-20-2016, 09:50 PM	#9
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward By the way if it does need crank shaft seal how difficult of a job is that.
jake13 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 15

04-20-2016, 11:33 PM	#10
my1423 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 256	Re: Ezgo marathon will start in reverse but not in forward I read 2 separate threads with this same issue from different authors. I posted in the wrong one. +1 for crank seals.
my1423 Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 256

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