ParCar Not Firing Every Time

HookSet · 05-26-2020, 06:03 AM

I've been struggling with the old girl this year. First the starter generator was bad and I rebuilt it. Now it won't run right. It will hit 3-6 times then miss a couple and has no power whatsoever, especially up a hill.

Couple things, it is on points instead of the module. I did clean and set them already, and checked them a couple times to be darn sure. I noticed not much fuel in the filter, so I put a new mikuni pulse pump on, now its rather full. I also drained the tank and put fresh non-ethanol fuel in and tossed a new plug on for good measure.

The one thing that has me wondering is the compression. I typically like to see 110-120 on a 2 stroke and she's down around 95 with my known good gauge. Before tearing into it is it time for a new piston and jug? Seems like it to me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Lochlin · 05-26-2020, 08:12 AM

95 psi on one of these carts should be plenty. Usually you have to be in the mid-80s psi before you need to think about a rebuild.

I understand that you have worked your timing to be perfect but your symptoms are tell-tale signs that timing is an issue. Understand, timing these carts is extremely tedious. Getting it right is one of the most frustrating things that I have ever done with carts. There is a reason why the motor industry moved away from points to electronic ignitions in the 80s and that reason is that points can be a SOB. Personally, I converted all of my old carts from point to HEI modules (see the sticky) because I can't take the pain of timing.

I have an 85 Columbia that I swear can't be timed with points. Me a very mechanical camp neighbor tried to get it timed right for a good four hours. We gave up on the book method and drove around with the points plate off making tiny points adjustments here and there in the hopes that we would get it timed right. We never did. I converted to an HEI and the thing has been running perfect ever since.

Really, I know I sound like a broken record with this, but if you are getting good spark here and there but enough for consistent power then it probably is still timing. That said, you may want to consider the crank seals as well. The fuel pump gets gas from the tank to the carb but engine compression gets it from the carb to the cylnder. Weak crank seals can cause a fuel draw loss at that point. Still, that normally comes with gas over flowing at the carb or even through the air filter.

HookSet · 05-26-2020, 08:45 AM

Thanks. I like the idea of the hei but don’t have the desire to build it out. Is there anyone that sells them complete?

Lochlin · 05-26-2020, 10:47 AM

In the HEI sticky there was mention of some firm selling a kit? I am not sure if that is still an option. I have made them but, to be honest, I am not particularly interested in expanding that part of my cart hobby. Being an amateur, I am not in a position to offer support and warranties and such.

HookSet · 05-26-2020, 01:52 PM

No worries, I'll just order the parts and put it together on a push in bread board. It won't be that hard.

I may try to time those points better as it was running like a champ for about a year with them, of course it's hard to get them just right with there not being timing marks on the flywheel like the older ones.

Lochlin · 05-27-2020, 09:29 AM

Even with the timing marks I have found it to be challenge. Don't forget to check that point gap! Those wear over time and point gap gets screwed up.

05-26-2020, 06:03 AM	#1
HookSet Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 52	ParCar Not Firing Every Time I've been struggling with the old girl this year. First the starter generator was bad and I rebuilt it. Now it won't run right. It will hit 3-6 times then miss a couple and has no power whatsoever, especially up a hill. Couple things, it is on points instead of the module. I did clean and set them already, and checked them a couple times to be darn sure. I noticed not much fuel in the filter, so I put a new mikuni pulse pump on, now its rather full. I also drained the tank and put fresh non-ethanol fuel in and tossed a new plug on for good measure. The one thing that has me wondering is the compression. I typically like to see 110-120 on a 2 stroke and she's down around 95 with my known good gauge. Before tearing into it is it time for a new piston and jug? Seems like it to me. Thanks in advance for the help.
HookSet Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 52

05-26-2020, 08:12 AM	#2
Lochlin Gone Wild Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,944	Re: ParCar Not Firing Every Time 95 psi on one of these carts should be plenty. Usually you have to be in the mid-80s psi before you need to think about a rebuild. I understand that you have worked your timing to be perfect but your symptoms are tell-tale signs that timing is an issue. Understand, timing these carts is extremely tedious. Getting it right is one of the most frustrating things that I have ever done with carts. There is a reason why the motor industry moved away from points to electronic ignitions in the 80s and that reason is that points can be a SOB. Personally, I converted all of my old carts from point to HEI modules (see the sticky) because I can't take the pain of timing. I have an 85 Columbia that I swear can't be timed with points. Me a very mechanical camp neighbor tried to get it timed right for a good four hours. We gave up on the book method and drove around with the points plate off making tiny points adjustments here and there in the hopes that we would get it timed right. We never did. I converted to an HEI and the thing has been running perfect ever since. Really, I know I sound like a broken record with this, but if you are getting good spark here and there but enough for consistent power then it probably is still timing. That said, you may want to consider the crank seals as well. The fuel pump gets gas from the tank to the carb but engine compression gets it from the carb to the cylnder. Weak crank seals can cause a fuel draw loss at that point. Still, that normally comes with gas over flowing at the carb or even through the air filter.

05-26-2020, 08:45 AM	#3
HookSet Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 52	Re: ParCar Not Firing Every Time Thanks. I like the idea of the hei but don’t have the desire to build it out. Is there anyone that sells them complete?
HookSet Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 52

05-26-2020, 10:47 AM	#4
Lochlin Gone Wild Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,944	Re: ParCar Not Firing Every Time In the HEI sticky there was mention of some firm selling a kit? I am not sure if that is still an option. I have made them but, to be honest, I am not particularly interested in expanding that part of my cart hobby. Being an amateur, I am not in a position to offer support and warranties and such.

05-26-2020, 01:52 PM	#5
HookSet Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 52	Re: ParCar Not Firing Every Time No worries, I'll just order the parts and put it together on a push in bread board. It won't be that hard. I may try to time those points better as it was running like a champ for about a year with them, of course it's hard to get them just right with there not being timing marks on the flywheel like the older ones.
HookSet Not Yet Wild Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 52

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05-27-2020, 09:29 AM	#6
Lochlin Gone Wild Join Date: May 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2,944	Re: ParCar Not Firing Every Time Even with the timing marks I have found it to be challenge. Don't forget to check that point gap! Those wear over time and point gap gets screwed up.