Golf Cart Forum Questions

This morning I was able to adjust the valves to .004, cold. I loosen the lock nut on the valves and verified that I could push each of the valves open easily. One of the valves on the bad cylinder was really tight, I think it was intake but not sure. Still wasn't running, but the spark plug on the non running cylinder is definitely getting wet with fuel now.

I started messing with the plug wires. I found that if I used the long wire meant for the left cylinder on the right cylinder, it didn't work either. But the short wire for the right cylinder was too short to hook on the left. So I removed the coil and moved it over so the short wire could reach the left cylinder and it ran! But either cylinder will only run off of the wire on one side of the coil. So I suspect I have a bad coil and at least one bad wire. I'm going to pickup a new coil and wires.

I still have the other noise to figure out next.

Do not take this wrong!! The questions you are asking indicates you have very little knowledge of small (or large) engines. I would have pulled the motor when I first detected the seized problem, disassembled and found WHY it was seized. Rather than fumbling around with suggestions, contact a small engine shop and get an estimate.

Jim

Id consider just paying a cart mechanic to give you an accurate diagnosis. It may be a relatively simple fix...but I suspect that the cart was parked for a reason other than a seized motor

Any chance the left plug wire is shorting to the engine? Given that you have adequate compression, fuel in the cylinder, and a spark, some combustion should be happening.
I would try the right side plug and wire in the left cylinder. Put the other plug in the right for testing but no spark plug wire. Turn it over fast and there should be smoke from the tailpipe, especially after adding the compression test oil. Moving the known good wire and plug to the non-functioning cylinder will eliminate internal engine components as a cause if it fires.

Here is a bit of an update, I finally had a couple minutes to look at it today.

Good news is that both cylinders have at least some compression. The left has about 90 w/o Oil, and the right has about 105 w/o Oil. Adding a few drops to each cylinder showed the left with about 110 and right about 120.

Still, only the right cylinder runs. The plug on the left side is definitely getting spark. I tried swapping the plugs, and no change. I shot a little ether directly into the left cylinder, put the plug back and it still doesn't fire.


Now the noise, it seems to be coming from the base of the engine area. It sounds more like a rattle or tap of something being loose, no grinding noise at all.

Dupe

Here you go http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/gas-ezgo/

Finding metal in the crankcase isn't a good sign. Removal and tear down will diagnose the problems, I'm betting you have more than one issue. Unless engine rebuilding is a hobby or sounds interesting, I'd be shopping for a used replacement. Replacement is easy, save your clutch pulleys along with any other accessory items.

Contact local cart suppliers that service the golf courses, they will have a cart or two that have been murderized at an event with a good engine remaining. If you're a modder/rodder, it's a good time to think about other engine choices or upgrades. I used to service and repair EZ Go's and other brands (in a former life), lol.

I'll try to get out and check compression today.

If valves are stuck is there a good walkthrough anyone has seen for unsticking and adjusting valves on these? Do you know what they are supposed to be set to?

If a bearing is gone bad or is going bad, is it safe to run? Is replacing a major project?

The 295 is a 4 cycle and should have about 140 or 150 Lb but will run on only 100 or so if they are about the same. If it sat for a time I bet a valve is stuck open.