Club Car FE290 Engine: A Comprehensive Guide

The Club Car FE290 engine is a 0.853-liter, single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engine that was used in Club Car golf carts from 1984 to 2013. It is a reliable and powerful engine that is known for its durability and ease of maintenance.

Specifications

Displacement: 0.853 liters (52 cubic inches)
Bore: 72.0 mm (2.83 inches)
Stroke: 66.0 mm (2.60 inches)
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Horsepower: 11.5 hp (8.6 kW) at 3600 rpm
Torque: 17.5 ft-lb (23.7 Nm) at 2400 rpm
Weight: 48.5 lbs (22.0 kg)

Design

The Club Car FE290 engine is a four-stroke engine, which means that it completes four strokes during one combustion cycle. The four strokes are: intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

The intake stroke begins when the piston moves down the cylinder, creating a vacuum that draws air and fuel into the cylinder through the intake valve. The intake valve then closes and the piston moves up the cylinder, compressing the air and fuel mixture.

The compression stroke ends when the piston reaches the top of the cylinder and the air and fuel mixture is compressed to a high pressure. The spark plug then ignites the air and fuel mixture, creating an explosion that drives the piston down the cylinder.

The power stroke ends when the piston reaches the bottom of the cylinder and the exhaust valve opens. The exhaust valve then closes and the piston moves up the cylinder, expelling the exhaust gases through the exhaust valve.

Maintenance

The Club Car FE290 engine is a relatively easy engine to maintain. The following are some of the most common maintenance tasks that should be performed on a regular basis:

Check the oil level and add oil as needed.
Change the oil and oil filter every 100 hours of operation.
Clean the air filter every 50 hours of operation.
Inspect the spark plug and replace it if necessary.
Check the valve clearance and adjust it as needed.

Troubleshooting

The Club Car FE290 engine is a reliable engine, but it can sometimes experience problems. The following are some of the most common problems that can occur with the FE290 engine:

Engine will not start. This could be caused by a number of problems, including a dead battery, a faulty ignition switch, or a clogged fuel filter.
Engine runs rough. This could be caused by a number of problems, including a dirty air filter, a clogged fuel injector, or a faulty spark plug.
Engine overheats. This could be caused by a number of problems, including a clogged radiator, a faulty water pump, or a low coolant level.
Engine leaks oil. This could be caused by a number of problems, including a leaking oil pan, a faulty oil filter, or a worn valve cover gasket.

Conclusion

The Club Car FE290 engine is a reliable and powerful engine that is known for its durability and ease of maintenance. It is a good choice for use in golf carts and other small vehicles.