[markusb741]

Our Yamaha gas cart hasn't been used for 12 mos.
Is it safe to drive and is there any recommended maintenance required before using it?

[villagetinker]

IMHO, I would contact one of the golf cart mobile repair services (Like Todd Casey) and have them look over the cart. At a minimum, an oil change, check tire pressure, check belts, and have battery tested. After a short test drive to test brakes, I would also test all lights, turn signals, etc.

[markusb741]

Thanks villagetinker, do you think gas should be drained and replaced? Also, do you have a phone number for Todd Casey?

[dewilson58]

Yes, drain the gas.


Todd: Phone: (352) 256-2068

[tophcfa]

Drain the gas if it has ethanol, gas without ethanol should be OK.

[Malsua]

Originally Posted by markusb741

Our Yamaha gas cart hasn't been used for 12 mos.
Is it safe to drive and is there any recommended maintenance required before using it?

I would probably get the oil changed but it depends on how recently it'd been serviced. If it was done only a few "cart hours" ago, I probably wouldn't.

Is the battery flat? It may be.

That said, you could always just fill up the gas tank with some fresh, Hold the pedal down until the engine starts but the cart doesn't move. Do that for a bit to get some oil splashed around. After that, run it around at low RPM for a bit, then resume normal use.

Engines are a lot tougher than most people think and some of the most abused engines are lawn mowers and golf carts. These things last year and years with terrible maintenance. If you keep up on regular maintenance, a cart that sits for a while isn't going to need a complete do-over just because it sat.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by markusb741

Our Yamaha gas cart hasn't been used for 12 mos.
Is it safe to drive and is there any recommended maintenance required before using it?

What year? And what type gas in it? How old battery?

Here what I would do as suggested from others. First I’d pull the dip stick check conditions of oil. If it’s black and gooey? I’d change it. If You put ethanol blend gas in last time You filled it up? I would drain it. Now if it’s fuel injection model After fresh gas and oil should be good to go.

If carburetor you will probably need to run additive in the fresh gas, if it starts and runs? Naturally you would want to check tire pressure, inspect battery look for corrosion at terminals, check water level if not maintenance free. You may need to charge the battery and load test it to see if it’s still good. Or you can just try to start it, run to charge battery.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by markusb741

Our Yamaha gas cart hasn't been used for 12 mos.
Is it safe to drive and is there any recommended maintenance required before using it?

JUST TRY IT! If it starts then you know you have a darn good battery after sitting for a year. Make sure the tires are inflated properly (they may bump a little after sitting in that position) and drive it a couple miles but never getting very far from your house in case it leaves you walking.

[mike1946]

I have a Yamaha G16 circa 2000...I rain bird from the UK - I was given some very useful tips on storage of this type - firstly give the gas tank a good dose of Sea Foam gas stabilizer and run the cart a few miles to make sure the stabilizer has reached all parts.
Secondly Jack up the cart and put it on axle stands so that all wheels are off the ground (this stops the tyres 'flatting' i.e. getting a flat spot where they are in contact with the ground) - I bought 4 x 3 ton axle stands from the accessory store at the Market of Marion for very reasonable $$$ - you will also probably need a hydraulic floor jack - buy from the same place.
Thirdly with the cart jacked up look under the seat and locate the feed from the gas tank to the engine - on mine it's just a rubber pipe with a spring clip on it - take the pipe off - now run the engine until it runs out of gas - you have now emptied the carburretter and this stops it getting all gummy as the gas evaporates during storage. Put the pipe back on - you will never remember to do it when you come back in a year.
Finally purchase a 300 milliamp 'float charger' Wal Mart do them cheap fit that to the battery - a float charger lets the battery go down to about 12.6 v and then cuts in and charges til it reaches about 13.9v at a low level charge - this continuous cycle should keep the battery in good order.
The above takes about half an hour or so and has saved me so many $$$ over the years I have been doing it !!
Good Luck

[Markusb]

Thanks everyone that responded, very good information. When I get down 3/22, my first order of business is getting the cart in tip top shape.

[Two Bills]

'Rain birds.'
Love it.
Wife and I have spent our first winter in UK for 25 years.
Forgot how much rain we get here, plus the b****y cold.
Both got webbed feet now!

[tjlee500]

The best thing to do before you leave cartfo a long time:

1. Put a canister of Gas Stabalizer and follow directions to add to gas. This helps the gas remain in a good state

2. Invest in a trickle charger. This type of charger just keeps the battery charged and turns off and on when needed,

I leave cart for 3-4 months and it starts up in a minute or 2 after gas get back into lines as engine tuns over

[pgettinger01]

Check the tire pressure about 25 PSI. Add a cleaner to the gas tank like Seafoam 1 ounce per gallon of gas. Hopefully the tires do not have permanent flat spots.

[coconutmama]

In addition to the great advice, expect your tires to give a bumpy ride until the flat spots on them smooth out, with use, after sitting on the garage floor so long.

[Donvan]

Drain gas and put fresh gas in. Should be good