So my problem is with a Tao Tao go kart, but these little chinese engines are all pretty much the same. I believe I need a new carb for mine, but before I shell out the money, I figured I would get a couple of opinions. So my kart has always started pretty easily. Ended up letting it sit for about three weeks or so because of a messed up rim, and of course when I went to start it last night, it wouldn't start. I cleaned off the spark plug (its getting spark), and sprayed some carb cleaner in the carb. It will fire off the carb cleaner, but of course burns through it very quickly and then dies. I tried taking the carb off and cleaning it as best i could, but the bowl is attached by pins instead of screws, so i can't take the carb apart without breaking it. Pretty sure it is the carb, because teh fuel is gravity fed from the tank, and it fires off of the carb cleaner. Spent almost two hours last night trying to clean that carb and get it started again. Never had this much trouble with one of these engines. Any tricks to try before i order a new carb?

 

the float bowl is pressed on to the pins. you can pry it apart and then repress it, drill out pins and replace with screws/bolts, or buy a new carb. i betcha the jets are plugged/clogged. it's a fuel delivery issue the way you're talking. a butter knife will pry it apart w/o bending it too bad.