Clutch issue?

[tyger255]

Hello, I have a cart that was given to me and I'm trying to get it fixed up for a family member for Christmas. It had sat for a wile before I got a hold of it. The steering was locked up but I have that repaired and have the engine running good. After testing it out for a bit I noticed that it had trouble to move from a stand still, but once it got going it was ok. Then going up small hills seem to stall it out, then it would not take off from a stand still. I would have to give it a good push to get it moving but then it would pick up speed and be ok as long as it was on flat ground. I haven't worked on go karts before this one, cleaning the engine and getting it running was ease enough but i have never had to deal with a clutch or drive system. I'm "asumeing" that giving it a good cleaning and maybe replacing the belt should take care of it. I'm hoping to get any advice on what to look for or anything I need to go ahead and do while I'm working on it. To the best of my knowlage the tires and everything on it is sock. I do not have a photo of it but I will attach a photo of the style of cart. It is a Murry Speedstar cart. Any other info that would be helpful let me know and I will post it.

 

[thisismyusername]

Hello, I have a cart that was given to me and I'm trying to get it fixed up for a family member for Christmas. It had sat for a wile before I got a hold of it. The steering was locked up but I have that repaired and have the engine running good. After testing it out for a bit I noticed that it had trouble to move from a stand still, but once it got going it was ok. Then going up small hills seem to stall it out, then it would not take off from a stand still. I would have to give it a good push to get it moving but then it would pick up speed and be ok as long as it was on flat ground. I haven't worked on go karts before this one, cleaning the engine and getting it running was ease enough but i have never had to deal with a clutch or drive system. I'm "asumeing" that giving it a good cleaning and maybe replacing the belt should take care of it. I'm hoping to get any advice on what to look for or anything I need to go ahead and do while I'm working on it. To the best of my knowlage the tires and everything on it is sock. I do not have a photo of it but I will attach a photo of the style of cart. It is a Murry Speedstar cart. Any other info that would be helpful let me know and I will post it.

Clutches don't have belts... EDIT: Well turns out their are clutches with belts, just not common, but i dont think your kart would have one... Post a picture from behind the kart. It either has a clutch, with a sprocket on the clutch that has a chain going to the rear sprocket, or it has what is called a torque converter, which uses a belt system (usually has lots more take off speed than a clutch)

Now if it is a clutch, i dont know much about repairing them, best to get a new one, but if it is working at an idle and everything, then it is probably your gear ratio, First your going to have post a picture from behind the kart.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Clutches don't have belts...

Yes....they do.....not common....but available.

 

[tyger255]

at work tonight, soon as I get home in the morning I'll get some photos.

 

[OzFab]

Clutches don't have belts...

What is a torque converter? A pair of clutches with a belt running between them...

We can't see so, the OP may have a TC or, some moron who didn't know what they were doing has replaced the driver with a belt drive CC; either way, we won't know until the OP posts more pics...

 

[colestreasures]

more pics would be nice.
Cole

 

[tyger255]

OK, here are a few more pics, I guess the correct name of the parts are the torque converter. First two pictures are of the converter and I can see a lot of rubber from the belt in the area. the second two pictures are of the chain drive to the axle. I did not have time to count the teeth on each gear. The rear tire is a 18x9.50-8NHS. I added a picture of the engine plate in case there is any useful information on it.

I will replace the belt on the torque converter and clean off all the burnt rubber, is there anything else I should do in there to help with this issue? I've never messed with this before so looking for some help from people with more knowledge then myself.

Also, for this type of cart, what would be a guess on the max weight limit for it?

As for the belt, I'm assuming that the 37x98 is the size of the replacement belt I need (thats what I see on the belt) would getting a bit smaller or thicker belt help out with slipping? or is that a bad idea? And is there a certain type or brand of replacement belt to get that seems to hold up better to use?

 

[OzFab]

Yeah, that belt is beyond toast

Here is a thread on maintaining/cleaning the torque converter including a chart for ascertaining which belt is needed...

That should solve your issues but, something doesn't sound right; I may be wrong so, give it a clean, replace the belt & see what happens; for all I know it'll be fine...

 

[Poboy kartman]

OK,
I did not have time to count the teeth on each gear.

Make time....and post it up....or possibly spend a lot more time replacing belts.....we don't ask for information because we're nosy....but because it's important.

 

[tyger255]

I found this video on youtube. the clutch he is cleaning looks like the one on my cart. if I get any time off this week i'll work on cleaning it up. I ordered a new belt of Amazon tonight and it should be here on Monday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6uUNqWSJL8


I also found this video that talks about changing the preload.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmGY0qsgW4Y

First thing I'll do is clean up both sides of the torque converter and put the new belt on it, then we'll see what happens.

Thank you for your help