Gas, What goes wrong?

[mgman]

I have decided that I want a gas cart. I don't plan to buy a new one, so that raises one important question. On used gas carts, what goes wrong? I'm a pretty good mechanic so tuning, cleaning, even replacing some parts is pretty easy. But what I need to know is what goes wrong that ends up being a big ticket item. I'm not familiar with the transmission or rear axle of these gas carts and how reliable they are. Help me out here. What do I look for in a used gas cart?

[mgman]

I've had 150 views on this and no replies! Some of you out there must have had gas carts that went bad. What breaks or has to be replaced???:confused::loco:

[chuckinca]

Clutch replacement sometimes needed.

Also, my throttle cable broke.


.

[MelZ]

treat it just like when you buy a used car, get a qualified mechanic to check it out and then budget for some repairs.

[mgman]

bump

[jkkearney]

It's been my experience that you'll need rings, piston and cylinder hone about every five years. That's based on three gas carts since 1975.

Kevin

[ijusluvit]

It's been my experience that you'll need rings, piston and cylinder hone about every five years. That's based on three gas carts since 1975.

Kevin

I don't agree that major engine repair can be expected in a gas cart every five years or so. Obviously, hours of use and frequency of normal maintenance are important factors, but the beauty of a good gas cart, (eg. Club Car, Yamaha), is that the drive trains last a very long time. The best evidence of this is that the 150 viewers of the original post couldn't think of anything to write about.

[saratogaman]

...or had electric carts!

[Pturner]

Hi mgman,

We purchased a 2003 Yamaha gas cart in December. It was driven all winter by renters. When we came down in April, the throttle cable broke, a repair Chuckinca had also mentioned. Don't know the repair cost, because the dealer, Carts and Clubs, did not charge us. (That was nice because we were a couple weeks past 90-day warranty.)

Sorry, I do not know the cart's maintenance and repair history. So far though, we are impressed with the cart. It's seven years old and runs great.

[golf2140]

Our 2001 gas cart has only had issues with the battery going bad and clutch going bad. The issue with the clutch started when I offered to tow a older fellow across the golf cart bridge. He kept putting on his break. The tow cable broke, after a couple of days the clutch went. I no longer tow. I put gas in the cart and keeping going and going. (45mpg)

[garsha]

We have a 2003 Club Car we bought used 18 months ago. We drive it everywhere and for many hours at a time. A month ago we had to replace the Starter Generator and the Voltage Regulator--$400. The repairman said these were original parts and is something that will need replaced every 5-7 or so years. Tonight the light switch quit working. Husband is out taking out the dash right now to inspect. Other than than, we load it with gas and go for weeks at a time.

[Bootcamp]

Cart went !0 years replaced Clutch at 3rd year(warranty) 8th year rebuilt starter generator, 10th year rebuild carburetor. Doesnt burn any oil takes 3 months for the oil to start changing color.went thru 3 sets of tires and 2 batteries (2003 Yamaha)

[karostay]

Preventive maintenance is the key.
I have my cart bumper to bumper serviced once a year in the spring around $100 each
I change my oil twice a year my 2 carts are 2005 2004 run like the day they were new
Clutches are expected to wear our it's about $350 every and about 5 years.:gc:
I feel the only reason to retire a gas golf cart is that you'll want a new one with proper maintenance it will last a very long time.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I haven't owned a gas cart personally, but I have had to manage a fleet of them. I can tell you that golf cart company information is that gas carts require more maintenance and repairs than do electric carts. Gas carts have far more moving parts and are much more complicated.

Having said that, there is not advantage over new electric carts over new gas carts except that gas carts will have a very slightly higher operating expense. You wan't have the problems with rings and other motor parts in the first five years.

Now for personal use, this might not be a major factor, but when you have a fleet of 50 carts, a golf course will pay for a lot more hours over a year filling the carts with gas at least once a week. It will spend less money on payroll to have someone fill the batteries of an electric once or twice a month.

This is major factor why most golf courses choose electric versus gas. This is why electrics are chosen by golf courses by about ten to one.

Yamaha likes to say how 80% of all carts sold in the Villages are gas, but I don't see that. If anything the ration that I see driving around is about 50/50 at best. But Yamaha specializes in gas carts and they have three locations either in or very close to the Town Squares and they are called The Villages Golf Carts. What they don't tell you is that 90% of all carts sold nationally are electric.

Now, Like I say there could be a big difference in owning one golf cart for personal use than having a fleet of 50 for rentals on the golf course. The difference in overall operating costs and repairs is much more significant when multiplied by 50.

[ajbrown]

After 3 and a half years, I bet mgman can answer the question himself :1rotfl:

[billethkid]

I suspect that just like automobiles people get rid of them because there is something wrong or they have had them long enough for something to go wrong.

[dillywho]

We bought ours reconditioned when we moved here 10 years ago and it is still going strong. We have it serviced twice a year (coming up soon) and do normal maintenance like a car. Hubby wanted to fill up everytime he left the house, so I bought him a gas gauge. Problem solved.

So far, replaced battery once, tires once, fuel line and filter and maybe brakes (can't remember). We use the medium grade gas (recommended) and that's hubby's mode of transportation so it gets lots of use. I primarily use the car so he can always have access to the cart.

[redwitch]

I really use and abuse my gas cart. I've had to refill my tank more than once in a week (and that's 300 miles per tank) several times. So far, I've had to replace tires, get semi-annual tuneups and it could use a new muffler (on my list of to dos when I have the time/money -- usually have one but not the other lol).

My old cart finally bit the dust -- it needed to have the engine rebuilt and I decided I was better of getting a new, used cart in good condition, which is what I did. No regrets.

I think gas carts are the workhorses of all motors. As the old commercial says, "They take a licking and keep on ticking."

[renrod]

I really use and abuse my gas cart. I've had to refill my tank more than once in a week (and that's 300 miles per tank) several times. So far, I've had to replace tires, get semi-annual tuneups and it could use a new muffler (on my list of to dos when I have the time/money -- usually have one but not the other lol).

My old cart finally bit the dust -- it needed to have the engine rebuilt and I decided I was better of getting a new, used cart in good condition, which is what I did. No regrets.

I think gas carts are the workhorses of all motors. As the old commercial says, "They take a licking and keep on ticking."

That would be a Timex watch. They did not run on gas, they were either wind-up or BATTERY OPERATED! Sorry, couldn't resist. Bad on me.:1rotfl:

[dmorhome]

mechanic by trade, clutch,belts,and cables on yamaha"s thats about it,change oil 3 times a year if used dailey ,they only hold 1 qt and no filters.
when clutch starts to hesitate engaging have roller's changed and avoid a new clutch.lube cables at conections when oil changed and they will last.belts change when they start to slip on starts.

I've had 150 views on this and no replies! Some of you out there must have had gas carts that went bad. What breaks or has to be replaced???:confused::loco:

[Carl in Tampa]

When you realize that the speed governor on a gas cart keeps the operation far below the cart's potential, even when you floorboard the gas, you can appreciate that you are not putting any great strain on the engine.

Check the oil level frequently, get an oil change as recommended by the dealer; my Yamaha dealer says annually.

You will find the repair discussions for electrics are much more extensive because battery problems are much more commonplace.

Both types of carts sometimes are reported to have wheel alignment problems. Try to avoid hitting curbs, particularly in tunnel entrances and exits.

I bought a used cart from a dealer who had routinely installed a new gear box as part of the refurbishment so it should last for years.

:gc:

[ditka41]

Beware if it's been sitting idle for a long time as gas does go bad with time and it turns to a gel-like mess in the carburetor. That can require a complete tear down and cleaning or rebuild. Either way the labor is expensive and parts can be close to $100.00. Usually, the stale gas will smell different than fresh gas if you're familiar with it. Sometimes (if it will start) running a carb cleaner for the first tank will resolve the issue. Or, better yet, using a fuel additive, like STABIL, will help prevent the problem if added BEFORE long-term storage.

[Matzy]

Just let a service check your gas cart in a timely manner (I prefer a 6 month interval) and they do what's necessary. Indeed, sometimes you'll have trouble with it when the battery is old but even that was checked by the service.
Merry Christmas.