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How to Make the Motor Work on a Go-Kart

A dead go-kart engine can ruin a day of fun before it even begins. However, it may be easy to fix if your go-kart has gone unused for a while or has not been serviced for some time. Like any piece of machinery, go-karts require routine maintenance so they run properly. Stale gas in the tank, fouled spark plugs or other routine repairs do not take long to check out or correct.

Things You'll Need

Hand-siphon pump
Gasoline
Flathead screwdriver
Primer bulb
Spark-plug wrench
Spark plug
Air filter

Instructions

- 1
  Check the fuel tank to make sure there is gas in the go-kart. If there is gas in the tank that has sat up for longer than a few months, drain it out with the hand siphon, refill the tank with fresh gasoline and try to start the engine.
- 2
  Check that the key switch under the steering wheel is turned to the "on" position. Check the engine on and off switch, located on the side of the engine, to make sure it also is flipped to the "on" position.
- 3
  Make sure the primer bulb is intact. If it has cracked from age and dryness, pry the assembly out with a flathead screwdriver and pop a replacement primer bulb into place by hand. Push the primer bulb three to five times to prime the engine.
- 4
  Inspect the spark plug wire to make sure it is attached to the spark plug. If it is, remove the wire and remove the plug with a spark plug wrench and install a new plug.
- 5
  Use a screwdriver to open the air filter cover. Pry the air filter out by hand. Clean it with warm soapy water if if is mildly dirty. If it is filthy, change it out with a new one.

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