Author Topic: Spark plug question NGC  (Read 7268 times)

Online Ncdan

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Spark plug question NGC
« on: December 25, 2017, 08:06:30 AM »
I have a gas motor golf cart early 2000 model. When is really cold outside, 30s, it is a pain in the arse to start, at times the battery will run down first! Will a “hotter” plus help this issue?
Thanks in advance for advice

Offline John A

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2017, 08:19:21 AM »
No but a new plug might.
John
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Offline Gliderjohn

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2017, 08:38:34 AM »
Is the choke being set and/or working properly?
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Offline Fontain25

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #3 on: December 25, 2017, 09:00:29 AM »
If a projected tip spark plug is available in same heat range it can help with cold starts.

Online lucian

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2017, 09:04:33 AM »
If it's a two stroke a fouled plug will definitely be worth replacing. Next make sure the choke is working. Also make sure the reed valve is working as it should.  I used to work at a golf course summers when I was a kid and worked on all the carts. We mostly had electric ones which were a pain and then we got Ez go  4 strokes that were bullet proof. We also had a few AMF and Harley two strokes that would foul plugs often but also replaced a lot of reed valves when they would start loosing power and starting hard.. Also the gas models had spark ares tors on the exhaust that would plug up with carbon over time and cause issues. Change the plug first. If it sits a lot the carb could use a cleaning also especially with ethanol.

Offline yogidozer

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2017, 09:14:56 AM »
solution: play golf in warmer weather  :wink:

Offline John A

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #6 on: December 25, 2017, 10:09:14 AM »
how cold is really cold?
John
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Offline yogidozer

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #7 on: December 25, 2017, 10:11:29 AM »
how cold is really cold?

cold enough to freeze your putter

Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #8 on: December 25, 2017, 10:14:18 AM »
Like Lucian said. Also check for intake leaks, a good solid ground between the coil and the engine, and a decent-looking spark plug lead. Sometimes a little fuel injector cleaner in the gas will help clean out dirty jets in the carburetor...just add the amount specified on the bottle.
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Online Ncdan

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #9 on: December 25, 2017, 11:03:43 AM »
Thanks for the response. It’s a 4 stroke motor. When the temps
Are 50s and up, hit the choke 3 times turn it over a few times then turn it over without the choke. With this combination it starts well. However when the temps are below 40 this combo no longer applies.
I don’t play golf , this cart has a utility dump bed which I use around the farm. Anyone who hits a golf ball any follows it around a pasture should have to walk to go find it not ride:)

Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #10 on: December 25, 2017, 11:47:44 AM »
We have two golf carts here on the farm; a 36v and 48v. One has a flatbed and the other a dump bed. They are essential on any kind of acreage. Our 48v even has a receiver hitch.
"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." John C. Maxwell

Offline yogidozer

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #11 on: December 25, 2017, 11:54:47 AM »
when it gets to single digits, I give my snow blower a SMALL shot of hot start

Online Ncdan

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #12 on: December 25, 2017, 12:01:07 PM »
when it gets to single digits, I give my snow blower a SMALL shot of hot start
That’s probably the fix but it’s a pain in the arse to get to the air box, remove
The air cleaner put all back:(.  The darn thing should start if every is right.

Offline yogidozer

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #13 on: December 25, 2017, 12:13:50 PM »
That�s probably the fix but it�s a pain in the arse to get to the air box, remove
The air cleaner put all back:(.  The darn thing should start if every is right.
I just shoot it into the air cleaner. In my case, I believe it's because the cold weather makes it turn over slowly

Online Huzo

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #14 on: December 25, 2017, 12:21:40 PM »
Is the fuel freezing in the jets ?

Offline slopokes

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #15 on: December 25, 2017, 12:26:31 PM »
No ... it’s a prop..... :boozing:

Online lucian

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #16 on: December 25, 2017, 12:41:51 PM »
Sounds as fuel related,, the 4 strokes had in line fuel filters that we would change every winter. Many would be full of ice and water. i would check that and make sure you have fresh gas. also I would check and clean the carb bowl  . Pull the plug next time it won't start in the cold and see if it is getting fuel or possibly flooding. :popcorn:

Online Ncdan

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #17 on: December 25, 2017, 02:33:53 PM »
Is the fuel freezing in the jets ?
Not that cold. We very seldom get that cold where I live.

Online Ncdan

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #18 on: December 25, 2017, 02:37:58 PM »
Sounds as fuel related,, the 4 strokes had in line fuel filters that we would change every winter. Many would be full of ice and water. i would check that and make sure you have fresh gas. also I would check and clean the carb bowl  . Pull the plug next time it won't start in the cold and see if it is getting fuel or possibly flooding. :popcorn:
It has flooded in the past due to excessive flooding, that’s when the PO told me the starting combination however that would not work today. I’m thinking a hotter plug may fix the issue

Offline yogidozer

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #19 on: December 25, 2017, 02:38:43 PM »
Not that cold. We very seldom get that cold where I live.
gee, I hope not!   :shocked:

Gas with ethanol will freeze lower. I would hazard a guess that for northern-state winter blend gas, going down to -70F (the freezing temperature of octane) is fine. Of course, that's probably all moot. Gasoline engines don't start when they get too cold, because the fuel doesn't vaporize properly.

Offline rodekyll

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #20 on: December 25, 2017, 03:11:18 PM »
It has flooded in the past due to excessive flooding, that’s when the PO told me the starting combination however that would not work today. I’m thinking a hotter plug may fix the issue

No, it won't.  That's not how heat ranges work.

You might try routing a tube to the air intake from somewhere convenient.  Then you can spray the ether quickly without disassembling the air cleaner.

Offline Tom

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #21 on: December 25, 2017, 03:29:10 PM »
Multi-v-oil.  If the oil hasn't been changed.  Too thick for a cold start.
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉 Hawaii.

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #22 on: December 25, 2017, 05:59:32 PM »

Offline Moto Fugazzi

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #23 on: December 25, 2017, 06:01:12 PM »
I had a riding mower that wouldn't start in colder weather, I drilled a small hole in the air cleaner housing that was just large enough for a straw from a can of starting fluid, and put a piece of duct tape over the hole. On a 20 year old mower that was free, it didn't matter to me that much, as I didn't have enough time to troubleshoot the starting problem. It became my brother's problem a few years later when his mower fell apart.Obviously, the best thing to do is figure out the problem, but a different heat range spark plug won't help in this instance.
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Offline John A

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #24 on: December 25, 2017, 07:36:54 PM »
once again use a new plug. modern fuels can permeate the nose insulator and be very difficult, some say impossible, to burn off if they have been in a flooded situation. especially if the ignition system is weak, it may not fire. someone suggested projected nose plugs, if there is room, that's a good option. a hotter plug just means the insulator runs at a hotter temp to burn off deposits which could help if the plugs routinely foul from improper mixture
« Last Edit: December 25, 2017, 09:12:09 PM by John A »
John
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Online Ncdan

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #25 on: December 25, 2017, 07:40:26 PM »
I had a riding mower that wouldn't start in colder weather, I drilled a small hole in the air cleaner housing that was just large enough for a straw from a can of starting fluid, and put a piece of duct tape over the hole. On a 20 year old mower that was free, it didn't matter to me that much, as I didn't have enough time to troubleshoot the starting problem. It became my brother's problem a few years later when his mower fell apart.Obviously, the best thing to do is figure out the problem, but a different heat range spark plug won't help in this instance.
Ken
This sounds like a possible fix. The guy I got it from says he�ll take a look at it at the end of the week however he�s not been much help with another issue I had, that�s why I thought I might check with the guys here for a possible fix that I could perform.

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #26 on: December 25, 2017, 07:42:23 PM »
once again use a new plug. modern fuels can permeate the nose insulator and be very difficult, some say impossible, to burn off if they have been in a flooded situation. especially if the ignition system is weak. someone suggested projected nose plugs, if there is room, that's a good option. a hotter plug just means the insulator runs at a hotter temp to burn off deposits which could help if the plugs routinely foul from improper mixture
Sounds reasonable John. I’ll try this tomorrow. Thanks

Online lucian

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #27 on: December 25, 2017, 08:56:22 PM »
once again use a new plug. modern fuels can permeate the nose insulator and be very difficult, some say impossible, to burn off if they have been in a flooded situation. especially if the ignition system is weak. someone suggested projected nose plugs, if there is room, that's a good option. a hotter plug just means the insulator runs at a hotter temp to burn off deposits which could help if the plugs routinely foul from improper mixture

Agree with this to an extent but a hotter plug will not resolve a fueling problem.  A new plug of a hotter range will still flood and once the bore is washed   it will not start. Determine if it is either not getting fuel or getting too much fuel first by checking a plug after cranking.  If it is flooding  my bet is float level ,  stuck needle , dirty air filter, stuck choke. Also a weak battery can damage the ignition module so make sure your getting a good spark by grounding a plug while cranking. If it's not getting fuel it's time to , check fuel filter and pump pressure, if delivery is ok then the carb needs attention. Remember , spark, air , fuel  in that order.

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #28 on: December 25, 2017, 09:56:51 PM »
Lucian, the possible causes you named would not all be cold weather related. It�s starts fine when the temps are around 50 degrees and up. Only starting problem is 40 and under
« Last Edit: December 25, 2017, 09:58:35 PM by Ncdan »

Offline Tom

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Re: Spark plug question NGC
« Reply #29 on: December 25, 2017, 11:11:51 PM »
IF the oil has never been changed.  It has 30 single wt. oil.  Cheapest for the factory to put in.  Harder to spin and start the engine.
From the Deep Deep South out in left field.  There are no stupid questions.  There are however stupid people asking questions.  🤣, this includes me.  😉 Hawaii.

 


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