Running hot and lean

[Xtreme Cartz]

I have a 96 Club Car I might use for a bike engine build. I want to get it running right again before I sell the engine out of the cart or decide to leave it. I just got the cart. It was running good but then when I let someone else use it they said it seemed to be running hot, then it stopped working and wouldn't start or move. I came back later to look at it and the cart started and drove fine. Must have been overheating. The engine runs lean. Spark plug is bleach white. It does seem to run hot. Likes the choke A LOT to start. Compression is 175. How do I make it not run so lean?

[DOOmsman]

Clean the carb and be-sure the fuel system is functioning properly.
Check for air leaks.

[shadowman]

agree check for air leaks......how is the air filter?..........................

[Xtreme Cartz]

The air filter is good but when I got it the air box wasn't completely closed. What am I checking for with air leaks? The hose going to the carb?

[Gearhead1956]

I check for leaks with starting fluid with engine running spray around intake and bottom of carb. if RPM's raise you know its sucking air at that point. BE SURE to have someone ready to turn the key off if RPM's start going up.
A leak in the air box should have little effect on engine because its still bringing the air through the top of carb.
Does the carb have a air/fuel adjustment screw ?

[Gearhead1956]

Originally Posted by Gearhead1956

I check for leaks with starting fluid with engine running spray around intake and bottom of carb. if RPM's raise you know its sucking air at that point. BE SURE to have someone ready to turn the key off if RPM's start going up.
A leak in the air box should have little effect on engine because its still bringing the air through the top of carb.
Does the carb have a air/fuel adjustment screw ?

If the engine is sucking air at the intake in will not suck proper amount of gas from carb. When you use the choke it shuts down air from top of carb and will suck more fuel then air. Thats why it likes the choke, as you say.

Let us know how things work out.

[lockman1]

Originally Posted by Gearhead1956

I check for leaks with starting fluid with engine running spray around intake and bottom of carb. if RPM's raise you know its sucking air at that point. BE SURE to have someone ready to turn the key off if RPM's start going up.
A leak in the air box should have little effect on engine because its still bringing the air through the top of carb.
Does the carb have a air/fuel adjustment screw ?

I disagree!
Use Carb cleaner instead of Starting fluid, and a loose air box cover WILL make it run lean and poorly! (past experience! )

my .02

[invalidsession]

Originally Posted by lockman1

I disagree!
Use Carb cleaner instead of Starting fluid, and a loose air box cover WILL make it run lean and poorly! (past experience! )

my .02

Agreed Don, I had a customers cart doing this and it was caused by a split on the underside of the intake hose. Hard to believe but these motors are very sensitive to air leaks like that.

Chris

[Gearhead1956]

Xtreme

What did you find?