Basic Go Kart Trouble Shooting

Having trouble with your go kart? Before panicking check out this basic trouble shooting guide and find out the solution to your problem. And added below are a few go kart engine maintenance tips.

What if the gasoline engine would not start?

1. Check the gas and oil. It may not have gas or the oil needs to be replaced.

2. Turn the switch set to "Off" and then restart it.

3. The choke might be set improperly.

4. The engine might be flooded.

5. The spark plug wire might not be connected.

6. The air filter might be either wet or clogged.

7. The throttle cable might be grounding to engine stop terminal.

8. There might be a faulty start switch or problems with the battery.

9. There might be stale fuel in the fuel tank.

What if the engine will not stay running?

1. Still check the gas and oil.

2. Check if there is a loose spark wire plug.

3. Check if the air filter is wet or clogged.

4. There might be a faulty stop switch.

5. The oil guard sensor might be tripping.

6. Check if the throttle cable might be grounding to engine stop terminal.

7. Check if the carburetor is functioning properly.

What if the go kart seems to run low on power?

1. The throttle cable might not be properly adjusted.

2. Check the binding or dragging brake, bearing s or axle.

3. There might be an incorrect tire pressure.

4. The chain is either needs to be lubricated or most likely worn.

5. The engine's RPM might not be set properly.

What if the throttle would not return to idle?

1. Check if the throttle cable is properly adjusted.

2. See of the throttle linkage is lubricated.

3. The fastener of the throttle linkage is too tight.

4. The throttle pedal return spring might be broken, weak or stretched.

5. The engine throttle return spring might be broken, weak or stretched.

6. Check the engine throttle linkage binding.

What if the start switch does not work?

1. Check the battery voltage and connections, there might be something wrong with it.

2. Check the start switch connectors.

3. There might be a faulty start switch connectors.

4. There must be a faulty solenoid.

What if the Stop Switch does not work?

1. Check if there is a loose ground wire.

2. There might be a bad connection or a broken wire.

3. There might be a loose terminal on the engine.

4. The toggle switch might be damaged.

5. There might be a faulty engine ground terminal.

What if the headlights don't work?

1. The headlight might be bunt out.

2. Check if there is a bad connection or a broken wire.

3. There might be a low battery voltage.

What if the go kart that is centrifugal clutch equipped moves while the engine is idling?

1. The clutch might not be oiled. It could be worn out or overheated.

2. The drive chain might be too tight.

3. Check if the engine idle is set too high.

What if the torque converter equipped go kart moves while the engine is idling?

1. Check if the driver belt is installed correctly.

2. The drive belt installed might not be compatible.

3. The driver pulley on the crankshaft might not be functioning well.

4. The driver pulley on the jackshaft might not be working well.

5. There might be wrong driver pulley spacing.

6. The engine idle set might be too high.

7. The pulleys might be not be aligned properly.

What if there is a jerky acceleration on the go kart?

1. The throttle cable is improperly adjusted.

2. The drive chain might be loose, worn or not lubricated.

3. Check the binding brake, bearings or axle.

4. The engine might not be functioning properly.

5. The drive system might be malfunctioning.

Go Kart Engine Maintenance

Drain the fuel tank if you would not be using it for more than 30 days to prevent stale fuel build up. Remember not to drain the fuel if the engine is still hot and drain the fuel outside.

Remove the spark plug and pour one ounce of clean lubricating oil through the spark plug hole into the cylinder. This is how lubricating the engine cylinder is done properly. You also have to crank the engine slowly in order to spread the oil and replace the spark plug.

Never use old gasoline. This will cause hard starting and would affect the engine performance.

Charge the battery of your go kart every month but be sure to keep anything flammable because batteries generate explosive gasses especially during the charging process.

Recommended Reading

1. Go-Kart Racing Engine
"Big things come in small packages." This famous quotation is proven by the things we see around us. We have...
2. Taking Care Of Your Go-Cart Race Engine: Tips on Chains, Spark Plugs, Engine Lubrication and Storage
The engine of a go-cart for racing or for fun is comprised of many parts. These include brake parts, chain...
3. Dirt Bike Racing, Getting Ready To Go Racing
After carrying out the basic maintenance, its time to assemble the bike and go racing! However, finishing touch is required...
4. Kart Racing School
If you've ever had dreams of being a successful race driver, then you've probably imagined a scenario where you actually...
5. Kart Racing Engines
The engine is the heart of a car, so they say. The same goes for go kart racers as well....