So, I was doing a little work on the first edition of the Kalifornia Nyke, so I could take it to Davis tomorrow for our VKCA event there.
The engine ran fine at Adams. Has not been run since.
I changed springs on the clutch and added a few teeth on the axle sprocket, and adjusted the chain.
Thought I'd fire it up, just to test.
The engine will run for 5 seconds or so. Takes throttle. Will also idle. But then it dies. Like it's starving for fuel.
Bottom of tank is clear and fuel ran out the line freely to drain it for a look see.
In line filter is new and clean. It's installed in the right direction. Has not been touched sine Adams.
Filter at carb inlet is spanky clean.
Plug looks good.
It fires right away, every time, but won't stay running.
Any ideas guys?
I'd sure like to load it up and take it to Davis in the morning.......
check carb for water inside .
second check diaphram probably roached if you let it sit in the crap fuel they sell now a days
check pulse hole to be sure it's clear that's my favorite for runs then stalls.
finally leak test carb.
on some motors that problem can be quick and dirty fixed by loosening all the carb plate screws and allowing some fuel to spill through.
bad gas, watered gas and air bubble issues all get solved that way but is a little messy.
Had fuel cap cork gasket ring and rubber diaphragm get backwards once blocking vent hole. Ran 30 seconds then quit. Took it to track anyway. Figured it out after good nights sleep and morning coffee. Just a thought.
The Tillies on the 610 had inlet needles stick overnight. Would start, but not get enough fuel to run. Popped them loose with the popoff pump on the inlet hose, and away she went. The Ones I had on the old engine at B'field several years ago would start, idle for as long as you wanted them to, but wouldn't take throttle. Never DID figure out what caused that one! We tried everything. All new diaphragms, popoff was right, press. tested fine. I switched to different carbs, and it ran fine. Ted
All excellent advice.
Clearly it was a fuel flow thing.
I finally switched to another known-to-be-good carb, and the engine ran fine.
The carb in question clearly needs a rebuild - especially a new pumper diaphragm.
Had a good day at Davis yesterday. We had like over 40 attendees. A nice, and nice-sized crowd.
I got the first edition of the Kalifornia Nyke sorted out finally.
At Adams (first time on track for this kart) I had a very short run (brake pedal pivot bolt fell out completing one lap - I gave the tech guy hell for letting me go on track in an unsafe kart). And then it started to drizzle when I got back on the track.
For this event, I changed clutch springs to get a higher engagement rpm and added some teeth to axle sprocket on Friday - which was when I discovered problems with carby.
This kart is real narrow, and running on really hard old skinny tires.
Got the carb adjusted on track and did about 10 laps overall. Dang, those skinny rears really like to slide! I think I may get some spacers, and go to a little wider rear tires. I want this kart to be smooth and stable for newby drivers.
Overall, success with the Kalifornia Nyke. It is essentially ready for its intended "loaner" service.
Took the SAE as a single, since my parts to assemble another 820 to replace the B-field "kablammo" did not arrive in time.
It was running good, and I did a couple of sessions with good friend Rob Caldeira in his single SAE. Me with a stock US Motors kart 820 and him with a stock (?) Mac 91 series, and me giving away a bit of weight, we were just about perfectly matched. Made for some fun lead/follow dicing - and some good on-track photos. Rob's Pamela graced us with her attendance, and Rugani's Melinda was also there with her now-curly, post-chemo new hair. Excellent when the women support us in our sport. Melinda promised to do a session in my Kalifornia Nyke at the next event (NOT).
Jimmy, glad you're getting the Kali Nyke sorted out! It may be that your older tires are too hard, rather than too skinny. We used to regularly run skinny front Carlisle 4" tires on the rear of my A Super GK 1200, and it handled fine. Maybe a fresh set of Chengs would do the trick. Ted