Start a Go Kart
Can't start your go kart? If you follow these proven steps, you will have your engine purring in no time! It may seem complicated, but all an engine needs is air, fuel, and a spark!
Contents
Steps
- Make sure you have fresh gasoline. If the gasoline in the tank has been sitting for more than two months, empty it and replace with fresh gas. Untreated gasoline breaks down over time, and loses its volatility.
- Your carburetor should deliver fuel and air, if it is clogged, it may need to be rebuilt. A clogged carburetor is one of the most common problems that prevents you from starting your go kart. Here are a few areas that you should look at in your carburetor.
- A diaphragm style carburetor must have a properly functioning diaphragm. If the diaphragm becomes warped or stays 'wet' all the time, you may need to replace it.
- If you have a bike style carburetor, you may need to clean it with a spray cleaner. Follow the fuel line to the carburetor and spray out every orifice, including the jet.
- Verify the plug is producing a spark. Unscrew the spark plug, (reattach the wire onto the top of the spark plug) and touch a metal part of the plug to the engine block. Turn the engine over. You should see the spark jumping across the gap. Re-install the spark plug.
- Start the Kart! If you have an electric starter, Connect it to the flywheel and start the kart. If you don't, you may need to push start the kart by lifting the rear wheels, running, then setting the rear wheels down to 'push start' the engine (see video below). Alternatively, if you have a recoil start, you simply pull the cord. Do not forget to put on the choke if it's a bike carburetor. If you have tried to start it for a long time, the carburetor may have become flooded with gasoline. Remove the spark plug and rotate the piston to evacuate all the gasoline from the cylinder.
Tips
- If you have a warm or hot engine (one that was just turned off) you may need to start the engine with the choke OFF.
- Because gasoline breaks down over time, try using a fuel stabilizer to any gas you add to the kart. A fuel stabilizer will prevent the gasoline from breaking down inside your carburetor and clogging it up.
- If you have a cold engine (one that was not just turned off) you will need to start the engine with the choke ON. After it starts and warms up, you will need to turn the choke OFF.
- If you are not sure that your carburetor is working, and you have tested for spark, turn the choke off, remove the spark plug, pour a teaspoon of gas into the combustion chamber, replace the plug, and turn the engine over. If the engine starts and runs for a few seconds and then dies, you have a fuel delivery problem that will need to address by cleaning, or even rebuilding your carburetor.
- When pull starting with a recoil start, make sure you pull on the handle in a single, hard, fluid motion or it may not start the engine.
- If your carburetor is really gummed up, you may need to use a combination of nylon and brass brushes to clean out the built up varnish.
Warnings
- When testing for spark, do not hold the engine and spark plug in separate hands. You will be making your body part of the circuit and will receive an unpleasant JOLT upon start.
- Gasoline is flammable, try not to spill it or you may end up with a fire.
- If you need to push or bump start the kart, make sure your footing is well established. You may trip once you drop the rear wheels.
