Go kart takes off after i start engine... help

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xiodinc

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I have a honda gx160 engine on my go kart, and everytime i start it up, it tries to take off on me. i have to hold the brake to get on, and once im on, it starts to go almost full speed without me touching the throttle.

I know this is a problem with the throttle control or idle speed, but i still can't seem to fix it. Does anyone know what the exact problem is, and a solution?

thanks.
 
Doc Sprocket

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Check your throttle linkage from the pedal, all the way back to the carb or governor linkage (whichever apples). Make sure that at idle, the throttle arm is resting against the throttle stop screw. Please note that if your governor is intact, the throttle will not be at idle if the engine is off.

For troubleshooting, you could even disconnect the throttle control cable to see if it is affecting things, perhaps there's too much tension on it. Do you have appropriate throttle return springs installed?

Did it suddenly start doing this, or did you get it this way? Did you maybe change something to cause it?

Tip- for safe testing, park your kart up against a wall. Having it take off unattended can cause severe personal/property damage.
 
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xiodinc

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okay, i received the kart in that condition...

where would the carb/governor linkage be on my engine? i don't really know what a governor is.

also, what is a throttle stop screw? where would that be located?

and my clutch looks really rusty, and has a metal to metal scraping sound at some point in the rotation. i think that might be some of the problem.

i dont have a pedal setup either, i have a hand control directly on my steering wheel.

i think there is an aftermarket spring attached to the throttle, and it makes it harder to pull in than usual.

it also seems to have a good idle rpm while i hold the brake down.
 
Doc Sprocket

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Some pics might be in order. When I say "pedal", you read hand control, okay? Same thing. If clutch is scraping, it's probably shot.

Toss some pics out, and we'll see what we can do.
 
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xiodinc

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okay, i dont have the gokart with me until saturday.

the clutch only scrapes every now and then, not like constant scraping.
 
redsox985

redsox985

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If the clutch is rusted and messed up slightly, that could be your issue. I wonder if it's a carb issue where the carb overflows into the motor and causes it to rev up. I had an XR100 motor do this to me.

:useless:
 
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xiodinc

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im going to be posting pics today...
when at idle, it keeps a steady, low rpm.

i'll check out the carb and clean the float to see if there is any junk in there too.

the previous owner added a larger return spring on the throttle, so it feels harder to pull. he said he did that so the throttle won't get stuck.

How would i remove my clutch for proper cleaning, and rust removal?

edit: actually, the kart doesn't go full speed right away, it actually takes a little while to acclerate into speed, and after that, i can still control the throttle from that speed to full speed.
 
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xiodinc

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i looked around and i think the problem is the clutch. solutions told me to lubricate the centrifugal clutch bushing.

now i just need to find out where that bushing is.
 
Doc Sprocket

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It is a bronze sleeve between the clutch drum and sleeve portions. Try that first, a couple of drops of motor oil. Don't go nuts with it. If it does nothing for you, you might have to open it up and check the shoes and springs.
 
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gordon

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your idel speed could be too high causeing the clutch to grab at idel or when motor is started to fix you turn down the idel speed
 
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