Adjusting valves on 2014 Yamaha cart

[metoo21]

I bought a used cart 2 years ago. I changed the oil when I got it and annually ever since. So, I changed it yesterday and after realizing I was looking at Mileage Distance, which I thought was low for total miles, I found the odometer reading on a different screen. I have a little over 7000 miles on the cart. The manual says to adjust the valves every 5000 miles. Has anyone done this?

Oh, I now know how to reset the Distance. :)

[mrf0151]

I bought a used cart 2 years ago. I changed the oil when I got it and annually ever since. So, I changed it yesterday and after realizing I was looking at Mileage Distance, which I thought was low for total miles, I found the odometer reading on a different screen. I have a little over 7000 miles on the cart. The manual says to adjust the valves every 5000 miles. Has anyone done this?

Oh, I now know how to reset the Distance. :)
If the manual recommends this maintenance of adjusting the ONE valve that is in this Yamaha engine, then it sure would not hurt anything. I will say that I have a 2007 and a 2011 Yamaha which have the same engine as your cart and I have never had the valve adjusted and these carts run like a dream.

[metoo21]

Thanks. I've noticed a gas smell on occasion and wondered if it was blow-by.

[tuccillo]

No. There are two valves; intake and exhaust.

If the manual recommends this maintenance of adjusting the ONE valve that is in this Yamaha engine, then it sure would not hurt anything. I will say that I have a 2007 and a 2011 Yamaha which have the same engine as your cart and I have never had the valve adjusted and these carts run like a dream.

[metoo21]

No. There are two valves; intake and exhaust.

Yes - 2 valves. Have you adjusted any?

[tuccillo]

I have thought that it might be a good thing to check since I have over 1800 hours on the engine, but haven't tried it yet. There are some YouTube videos on how to do it - looks pretty simple. You will probably need a new gasket for the valve cover. I am also thinking that I should replace the brushes on the starter/alternator.

Yes - 2 valves. Have you adjusted any?

[metoo21]

Well, that is something else. My manual says to check the brushes and the commutator for dirt at 2500 miles. Replace brushes at 5000 miles. Never thought about that but it does get a lot of work. I replaced a bendix drive and brushes in an automotive starter years ago. Wasn't too difficult but it took 2 sets of hands to hold the brushes in place and slide the unit back into the housing. BTW, it is a starter/generator.

I've ordered the 3mm wrench and gasket.

[tuccillo]

Doubt that is necessary. I have 34k miles on the original part.

Well, that is something else. My manual says to check the brushes and the commutator for dirt at 2500 miles. Replace brushes at 5000 miles. Never thought about that but it does get a lot of work. I replaced a bendix drive and brushes in an automotive starter years ago. Wasn't too difficult but it took 2 sets of hands to hold the brushes in place and slide the unit back into the housing. BTW, it is a starter/generator.

I've ordered the 3mm wrench and gasket.

[metoo21]

Doubt that is necessary. I have 34k miles on the original part.

I'll just leave that alone then.

[mrf0151]

No. There are two valves; intake and exhaust.
Yes. https://youtu.be/QZQTKvxoW20

[tuccillo]

I have seen that video and I think it is a good one.

Yes. https://youtu.be/QZQTKvxoW20

[metoo21]

Well, my front panel isn't removable. It's going to be a pain to get to the valves. I did notice that he did not replace the gasket. Seems like a mistake to me.

[tuccillo]

The close quarters is one of the things that has kept me from adjusting the valves. I also don't understand not replacing the gasket - seems short sighted considering the effort if you wind up having to go back because of a leak.

Well, my front panel isn't removable. It's going to be a pain to get to the valves. I did notice that he did not replace the gasket. Seems like a mistake to me.

[banjobob]

Adjust only if running issues are involved , the minuscule amount of adjustment isn’t noticed and is of no issue.

[genobambino]

That's why gas carts stink so much and smoke, people don't do maintenance on them like there supposed to.

[nn0wheremann]

If the manual recommends this maintenance of adjusting the ONE valve that is in this Yamaha engine, then it sure would not hurt anything. I will say that I have a 2007 and a 2011 Yamaha which have the same engine as your cart and I have never had the valve adjusted and these carts run like a dream.
If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!!!

[OhioBuckeye]

They’re both over 10 yrs. old, it may not hurt but I had a 2012 & traded it in for a 2018 & it had 25,500 miles on it & never had a single issue with it.

[tophcfa]

That's why gas carts stink so much and smoke, people don't do maintenance on them like there supposed to.

That’s why I’m in the market for a diesel cart.

[metoo21]

So if the valves don't cause gas fumes in the exhaust (out of spec causing blow-by and incomplete combustion), then what could be the issue?

[OhioBuckeye]

That’s a easy way to put it, If it’s not broke don’t fix it!

[KennyP]

Like so many things when it comes to golf cars in the villages- it depends on usage. Some only use the cart to " go to the mail box and walk the dog", while others, its their main form of transportation.

Look at how many of you get the spark plug, air fiter, fuel filter replaced every year. Cart doesnt need it, but your servicing entity changes it anyway. So yes, you could go in there and check the valve adjustment, it is very simple, but chances are good, it is perfect. Its really not that hard, even though it looks like there is not a lot of room. Good tech, done in 10 minutes. A good tech can also hear the valves when they are out of adjustment, the cart will still run fine, just with some valve noise that most wont hear anyway.

[bcsnave]

OMG...am I suppose to adjust my Yamaha Powertech AC valves...they have never been adjusted......do need to do an oil change also........ am so confused now.........what should I do:a20:

[Topspinmo]

I bought a used cart 2 years ago. I changed the oil when I got it and annually ever since. So, I changed it yesterday and after realizing I was looking at Mileage Distance, which I thought was low for total miles, I found the odometer reading on a different screen. I have a little over 7000 miles on the cart. The manual says to adjust the valves every 5000 miles. Has anyone done this?

Oh, I now know how to reset the Distance. :)

No, unless it making noise or you keep oil in too long I wouldn’t worry about it. But, If you have to not that hard. Might be hard to get to ( unless you take seat out or have quitetech cart) But the procedure not. Plenty of utube video’s show you how. IMO once year oil change is stretch.

[Topspinmo]

So if the valves don't cause gas fumes in the exhaust (out of spec causing blow-by and incomplete combustion), then what could be the issue?

I didn’t see what year or carburetor or fuel injection. If carburetor I would be my N0 1 suspect after I checked spark plug, while I had spark plug out I would just replace it. Carburetor models will eventually run rich and puff black smoke due to improper fuel air mixture. Fuel injection hardly ever.

[metoo21]

2014 cart. Carburetor. Spark plug was good. Only a couple months old. No black smoke yet. Just fuel smell at various times.

[Topspinmo]

That’s why I’m in the market for a diesel cart.

I’m going to convert mine to wood burning.

[Topspinmo]

2014 cart. Carburetor. Spark plug was good. Only a couple months old. No black smoke yet. Just fuel smell at various times.

If you do have carburetor when cold using choke or not using choke could create raw gas smell it cart hesitates to start. This is usually magnified by trying to back cart with carburetor out or garage. Or not get the choke fuel air mixture right. On older carts the carburetor may be leak. You should be able to see wet spots or raw gas dripping off something lower than carburetor ( don’t get this confused with flooded condition) Carburetor carts are more sensitive to fuel air mixture due to well old design. Fuel injection cart do much better job of fuel air mixture with aid of computer module. Especially cold starting.