Engine Maintenance Considerations for a Golf Cart

When a golf cart travels on a course, the engine slowly gains wear and tear. If you want to complete each game on time, you must learn how to maintain the cart’s mechanical components. According to experts, there are common signs that often whenever an engine requires maintenance.

Knocking Noise

Throughout a game of golf, the engine in a cart should operate quietly. If you hear a knocking sound, the bearings need to be repaired because they’re about to wear out. The clanking sound happens whenever a cart surpasses a certain number of miles. Knocking can also occur when an engine doesn’t have enough oil.

Smoke

If smoke emits from a golf cart, maintenance may be required. The color of the smoke is important because the tone will help you pinpoint the component that needs maintenance. When smoke is black, professional maintenance won’t be needed; smoke turns this color when the gasoline is burnt. If blue smoke floats into the air, you may want to visit a maintenance shop. This kind of smoke generates after oil leaks inside of an engine. White smoke can also seep out of a golf cart; this event happens whenever an engine leaks coolant.

Low Fuel Efficiency

A golf cart should travel around a course without wasting a lot of fuel. If your cart’s fuel efficiency is low, you may need to resolve a minor or major mechanical issue. A clogged air filter is a common problem that can be resolved at a low cost. If a clog isn’t removed quickly, it could lead to more serious and costly issues down the road.

Reduced Power

Performance and power will suffer whenever the engine in a golf cart requires maintenance or repairs. The process of detecting an efficiency problem is easy; if your cart doesn’t start quickly and travels slowly, the engine has a serious issue.

If certain mechanical components can’t be repaired, you’ll benefit from buying a new golf cart engine. Because many companies sell reliable engines for golf carts, the process of equipping an old cart with a new motor isn’t a hassle.

Wax once every 3 years!!! 5 Star Shine Car Wax

“The most critical step you can take to maintain your finish is frequent washing,” says Glenn Canady, president of 5 Star Technologies, a company that makes vehicle maintenance products. “Keeping your exterior consistently clean will lessen the impact of damaging dirt and chemicals that build up on your car’s surface.”

A lot of people think the next step would be to wax their car as often as possible, but Canady says that’s not the case. “You can actually be doing more harm than good by putting on a coat of inexpensive Carnauba wax once every week or two. When it melts, it gets sticky, and instead of keeping your car clean will actually attract dirt and pollutants. Look for a polish that is designed to protect the paint instead.”

Canady recommends 5 Star Shine, a polish that uses PTFE (the same substance that makes nonstick cookware so slippery) and durable acrylic elements to create a chemical fusion that seals paint from the elements. The bond is strong enough to hold up to hundreds of washings and only needs to be applied once every three years for a used car, and once every five years for a new one.