Backfire through carburetor

[abaguy]

I've been searching but can't really find anything specific to a FE290 on a Club Car.
My cart has been giving me a little trouble lately starting cold. Choke doesn't have much impact.
I've been noticing lately that it will backfire through the carb just about every time starting. More when the engine is cold. It will backfire several times until it starts.
After some reading, it seems like it might be a problem with the intake valve or valve guide. To avoid pulling the head off, is there anything else that can cause the backfiring?

It does seem to run fine when it starts. I've also checked the compression (around 160psi) and did a leakdown test. It held pressure for 10 minutes with no drop.

[49ford]

not a lot of help on here sometimes, I've got the same problem.

[DannyAbear]

I would start with checking the valve lash; it sounds like the intake valve is too tight, or the exhaust is not opening enough

[49ford]

I saw in a post, valve lash was .005, I assume is inches. Is this about right?

[Spicyunicorn]

Yeah inches I set them to .004" cold

[49ford]

I set the valves to .005 and it started up good. Needs choking and rpms vary. Pulled the carb and throttle shaft is loosey goosey. Ordered a carb as can't fix this one. Headed in right direction though

[mikeb33]

A rule of thumb is a backfire through intake means running rich, backfire through exhaust means running lean. Of course valve train and other things can cause backfires too.