[Dgodin]

Originally Posted by SteveCanada

A 2017 Yamaha quiet tech.. runs great at 21 mph on flat but slows on incline .. going over bridge at Spanish Springs slows to 5 or 6 mph on steep incline .. is this normal or is my belt needing change etc ? thanks

I had that issue. The culprit was the clutch

[birdawg]

Answer is Post 4 and 13

[DavidK]

I own a 2017 Yamaha Quiet Tech, and when the engine was under load, it dropped power significantly. The cause was a clogged exhaust port where the spark arrester was located. Sound-deadening material was clogging the port. While I had the bottom tray off, I cleared the clog and pitched the spark arrester. This is a DIY project that is not too hard if you have a garage jack to raise the cart to get more work space.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by PJMac

We had exactly this problem. Clogged exhaust. Apparently they make these quiet by packing a lot of insulation in the muffler. It can work itself loose. Replace muffler.

Do not remove spark arrester. Can’t believe I had to say that.

I am glad that was said about NOT removing the SPARK arrestor. I was thinking the same thing. I started imagining a spark from the golf cart hitting a pile of leaves near a car parked in a driveway. So, I imagine the RIGHT that thing to do would be to clean out the spark arrestor and then PUT IT BACK. Or buy a new one.

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by Postreader

I had the same issue with my Yamaha Quiet Tech last year. I had a clogged spark arrester. Your cart will only get worse. I cleaned and drilled small holes in the arrester. The arrester is about three inches long and is located at the end of the tail pipe. There are YouTube videos on how to get to and remove it. I think you can get to it from underneath the cart but will need to jack it up. I got to it from the top after removing the seat and the muffler. It takes time but will save you money. If you are not mechanically inclined, pay someone to do it. My cart now runs normal.

Takes 5 minutes to pull it off- super simple.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I am glad that was said about NOT removing the SPARK arrestor. I was thinking the same thing. I started imagining a spark from the golf cart hitting a pile of leaves near a car parked in a driveway. So, I imagine the RIGHT that thing to do would be to clean out the spark arrestor and then PUT IT BACK. Or buy a new one.

What about all the older carts lawn equipment that don’t have spark arrestors? Were all the fires?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by SteveCanada

UPDATE !!!!! With all the great advice from all… I jacked up the cart .. removed skid plate .. removed spark arrestor .. took 20 minutes… results are wayyyy better acceleration … no bog on hills … top speed went from 21 to 23 mph .. arrestor was very clogged with carbon .. a black hands job … thanks to all !!

Issue … A 2017 Yamaha quiet tech.. runs great at 21 mph on flat but slows on incline .. going over bridge at Spanish Springs slows to 5 or 6 mph on steep incline .. is this normal or is my belt needing change etc ? thanks

Going up the bridge going lug engine down at low rpm, the clutches are going to be in low speed condition due to low rpm and no centrifugal force to throw clutches in higher speed ratio. So, yes the cart can not accelerate on steep incline cause the engine can’t rev up enough to get clutches out of high torque condition, due to engine does have enough HP/torque to turn clutches at higher RPM for the clutches to change gear ratio.

It you stop on very step incline the belt going to squeal (slip) till the clutches kick in. It you do this often it will wear belt out prematurely.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

What about all the older carts lawn equipment that don’t have spark arrestors? Were all the fires?

It could very well be that the requirement for spark arresters is older than the older carts and lawn equipment - they might all be equipped with spark arresters.

A lot of things have to line up just right for a spark to be produced. Even more for that spark to start a fire. Even more for that fire to cause any significant damage. Around here the odds are very, very low. On the other hand, the fires out west have been devastating and any extra measure that can be taken to reduce the risk even more is worth it.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

It could very well be that the requirement for spark arresters is older than the older carts and lawn equipment - they might all be equipped with spark arresters.

A lot of things have to line up just right for a spark to be produced. Even more for that spark to start a fire. Even more for that fire to cause any significant damage. Around here the odds are very, very low. On the other hand, the fires out west have been devastating and any extra measure that can be taken to reduce the risk even more is worth it.

In certain industries for sure but not wide spread for residential use until few years ago.

My 2012 GC has none and never had spark arrestor, my older equipment like generators, lawn mowers, didn’t have them, but my chainsaws did. Agree very very low with amount rain we get here. Now in desert/ dry climate and forest industry probabilities are much higher. But lightning IMO causes most of those fires.