Here we go again. My 250cc challenger won't start. There is spark. It runs briefly with starter fluid. Fuel flows from the tank to the carb, but I don't think it is making it any further. How do I check/clean the carb? Anything else it could be? The spark plug appears to be dry after cranking for a while.

I would start by cleaning the carb real good, make sure the pilot jet and main jet are clean

OK. I'll try to figure out how to get it off and clean it today. I just had to replace the ignition switch on the kart. I am not sure the new one is connected right, as there are no indications on the three screws what wire goes where. I had to chnage them around a bunch of times to get it to where I think gave me stop, run, and start positions. Now when I turn the key all the way to the right the starter turns (obviously kart doesn't start yet). When I go to the run the starter stops but the fuel gauge and lights don't work. Do I have this wired wrong or is it another defective switch. Could this have anything to do with it now starting?

OK. I took off the carb. Opened the bowl. Removed the jets. blew them out with compressed air. sprayed everything with carb cleaner. I have to say, evrything looked very clean though. no gunk or dirt at all. I reinstalled everything. Tried to start it and nothing. I again took out the plug. checked for spark. yes. I sprayed in some starter fluid. turned the key. started with a big white puff of smoke. burned off the started fluid and then again, dead as a door nail. Now what? Again I did change the ignition switch and not sure if it is installed correctly, for the reasons noted in my last post; but not sure that has anything to do with gas not getting through the card. FYI, the float seemed to be working fine. Please help!

Do you have a vacume petcock? Are you sure fuel is getting to the carb

if you have a vacumn style valve, spin the engine over a few times, loosen the drain screw on the bottom of the float bowl, if fuel comes out then its getting to that point.

Cool! I loosened up the drain screw on the bottom of the bowl of the carb and gas came out. Retightened it and turned the key and the kart started right up! Must have been a vacuum for some reason in the carb. Thanks for the help. On to the next problem. The headlights and the gas guage still don't work. Any ideas on what to check on these?

recheck the way the ignition switch is wired

Thank you! Thank you! I switched the two red wires on the ignition switch and now all is aok. I have to say, I attribute my kids and my continued enjoyment in go karting entirely to the people that contribute to this site. Over the years, many have helped me with a number of problems. Many of these I found are common with these karts. I would have not been able to figure out the solution on my own. I am handy but definately not a machanic. I would of junked these karts probably a few months after getting them. It is now nearly 3 years since I bought the first and 2 years for the second and they are still a great source of fun for my kids and their friends. OK, for me too!

Thanks again for all who have helped me along the way and to those who I'm sure will help me in the future.

THIS SITE IS THE BEST!!!!!

Well when you do give up I'll take em to the scrap yard for ya