150 Hammerhead fuel problems

Posts: 6

This is my first post and just registered. I found this site as I was searching the internet for information about my 150.

Here's my problem (I'm not an engine guy so I apologize if I don't use the right words)...the engine will cut out after about 200 yards of driving. When I check the fuel filter it is empty or has little fuel in it. A friend of mine took the carb off this weekend and it looked fine. The spark plug gets blackened up pretty quickly. If I clean it or replace it the kart runs fine for a short period of time and then start cutting out. It doesn't appear to be a flooding issue.

Could this be a fuel rooster issue? Other ideas?

I bought the kart new a couple of years ago and I've had this type of problem most of the time I've had it. Very frustrating.

Any ideas would be appreciated! Jeffie

Posts: 4277

welcome to buggy news. on the bottom of the fuel tank there is a fuel valve that is vacumn operated. remove the fuel line from the carb, spin the engine over and notice how much fuel comes out. then replace that line and remove the bottom line from the fuel valve, there should be no gas coming from that line.

replace the fuel filter and notice the flow direction

Posts: 6

I did what you suggested. Quite a bit of fuel came out when I took off the fuel line and turned over the engine. No fuel came out when I took off the lower line. I will try to get a new fuel filter ASAP.

Just to check...I took off the fuel filter and connected the fuel line back to the tank. The kart still didn't run as it should.

Other suggestions? Could it be an electronic issue? Jeff

Posts: 218

Hey Jeffie it could be and electrical issue. When you say cut out do you mean it quits completely or it is just sputtering but keeps running. Does this happen at full throttle? From what I have read it sounds to be related to your coil wires. There are two wires on top of the coil which are connected by spades. They are often loose and don't make a good connection. This is especially seen when driving at high rpms or full throttle. I would replace the spades on the wires or you can drill a hole in the spades and the coil connections and insert a small nut and screw (just make sure you don't let the screw touch each other). I've done both of these with my buggies and it solved my problem.

Posts: 6

At this time the kart will run okay for a minute (even at high speed) or so and then it cuts out. Sometimes I can then get it started after it dies but can only get it to move a few feet because when you push on the throttle it will die. Then I push it into the shed.

Do I have to purchase "special" spades or can I get them at an automotive type place?

I appreciate your advice! Jeff

Posts: 218

You can get them at any parts store. I hope it helps your problem.

Posts: 1 · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 1 Pictures: 0 Location: Ohio

I'm new to this. Am oldest HH buggy dealer, and just wanted to mention air cleaner & use only an NGK spark plug. Had a guy swear the air cleaner was all clear! Rolling Eyes

We removed the mouse house, tree leaves, and field dust (took pics to have a laugh!) Laughing

If you need more tech advice, let me know.
Cool

Posts: 1215

Posts: 1612

This might sound really stupid but,
does your petcock have 3 positions on it? If so, one is for "off", one is for full fuel and the other is for reserve. You could have it on reserve.
The plug being black definitely says it's running too rich. Once the plug gets fouled, it will not run. The coil wire could be the culprit but you'll usually see issues with either starting or at top rpm's with a bad one.
There also could be some junk in the fuel tank, There is a filter inside you can check. remove the petcock and clean it all up.
If none of these fixes your problem, I would go back to the carb.
there are 3 jets and a float that can cause the issues your having as well.
Good luck and if you keep posting your progress, someone here will help you figure it out.

Posts: 6

Kidinme...
-the petcock has two "nozzles" where the fuel line and vacuum line connect. I did put on a new petcock with new filter which didn't help. I've drained the fuel tank but didn't check to see if there was junk in it. I don't think that is the problem but will check.
-I pulled the plug again and it's blackened. How quickly can a spark plug get dirty? Can it happen after a few hours of driving? If so, the carb may be the problem. I mechanic friend of mine did pull the carb a part and it looked okay. We cleaned it and then ran the kart for a minute or two and we still had the same problem ...the kart will stop running at low rpm's and then we can't get it started.
-As far as the coil wire...I'm not sure. I'm able to start the kart drive it fast for a minute or two, take my foot off the gas, it dies, and then I can't get it started.
-HOW DO I SET THE CARB? I'M NOT MECHANICALLY GIFTED SO AM NOT SURE HOW I KNOW THE APPROPRIATE SETTING.
1hotbuggy:
-Thanks for your post! I just put on a new air filter and I didn't see any mice running around. The spark plug was new, not sure if it was an NGK plug though. I took the kart to the closest HH dealer/service place and got ripped-off. They were supposed to fix my problem and all the did was replace the plug...they didn't fix anything.