NEED HELP: Trailmaster Cheetah 8 - Torque Converter Driven Clutch

[Paulyschu72]

I'm hoping someone with some expertise can help. I just purchased a Trailmaster Cheetah 8 and have less than 2 hours on it. It has a 208cc motor and still breaking in (using Amsoil). But, there is some serious metal ringing / clanking coming I believe from the Torque Convertor / Clutch area. Also, the top speed is like 15mph even though it was advertised to go up to 30mph. I adjusted the governor all the way on the carb and removed speed restrictor from foot pedal. I have tried to reach out to online seller (Motobuys) and Trailmaster and getting no where. The owners manual sucks and don't think there is a shop manual available. I took a video of it running with metal ringing clanking sound and posted online. Here is a link.

Any opinions regarding what's going on and best solution to fix are appreciated. It was my kids Christmas present so just want to get them out riding ASAP.
Thanks

 

[Paulyschu72]

I'm hoping someone with some expertise can help. I just purchased a Trailmaster Cheetah 8 and have less than 2 hours on it. It has a 208cc motor and still breaking in (using Amsoil). But, there is some serious metal ringing / clanking coming I believe from the Torque Convertor / Clutch area. Also, the top speed is like 15mph even though it was advertised to go up to 30mph. I adjusted the governor all the way on the carb and removed speed restrictor from foot pedal. I have tried to reach out to online seller (Motobuys) and Trailmaster and getting no where. The owners manual sucks and don't think there is a shop manual available. I took a video of it running with metal ringing clanking sound and posted online. Here is a link.

Any opinions regarding what's going on and best solution to fix are appreciated. It was my kids Christmas present so just want to get them out riding ASAP.
Thanks

Ok, I guess this forum won't let me post the video link. Still, any opinions as to what might be going on and how to fix problem are appreciated

 

[Hellion]

I don't think it's the forum. You should see the stuff they've posted here! LOL I think it's your personal privacy settings, aka you didn't make it "public" or "shareable" or something. What platform was it posted/hosted on?

Haha, an advertised 30mph? I always take those claims with a grain of salt.

It's not really a go kart, if it were it wouldn't be so complicated and one guy could carry it. It's a side by side/ATV.

 

[Hellion]

The seller broke the contract with you. You were promised a new, functional Trailmaster Cheetah 8 that performs as advertised and they have reneged on the contract so they should fix it or refund your money. Simple as that. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Denny]

I agree with Hellion first off. Plus the factory belts on the china stuff always suck. They are made of vinyl made from boiled yak grease and rice fibers. Get a GENUINE COMET BELT!!!
The clanging I have no idea, are all the bolts tight?

 

[Hellion]

Isn't there always some minimal clanging or "clutch sounds" at idle on Torq-a-verters and regular centrifugal clutches?

 

[panchothedog]

I have 5 vehicles running torque converters. Now I know that I'm old and hard of hearing ( but I do wear my hearing aids ) and I didn't get any clanging out of mine.

 

[panchothedog]

Also from the limited view of the picture he posted, that looks pretty much like a clone, or industrial style engine. Not a GY-6. Even with a governor in place, the kart should be capable of more than 15 mph. I'm with Hellion on this one. The seller should make it right. A brand new kart of ANY configuration should be able to perform for a lot more than 2 hours, and at least come close to the advertised speed. Get on the phone. Tell them your brother in law is a big shot attorney.

 

[Paulyschu72]

Trailmaster Cheetah 8 - Metal Clanking Sound

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[Paulyschu72]

Trailmaster Cheetah 8 - Metal Clanking Sound

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

Ok here is the link to the video. Appreciate the comments and might reach out to the credit card company and try to get money back. But, would like to know if this sounds like the clutch / torque converter or possibly something else. Again, appreciate everyone’s comments / suggestions.

Trailmaster Cheetah 8 - Metal Clanking Sound

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Put the frame on blocks and let the tires spin freely.
Then you can stop chasing the kart.

I think i hear the clanking your talking about but hard to tell.

Try blocking the kart up and see if you can pinpoint the sound.

 

[Denny]

Sounds like the primary clutch is about to come apart. Is the bolt holding it together tight?

 

[panchothedog]

Is that the stock clutch ( the driver ) because it almost looks like juggernaut driver sold by Go Power Sports. OMB Warehouse also sells something similar, but they call it something else. I think a Torqaverter or something like that. It does NOT look like a standard 30 series driver. Not at all.

 

[Hellion]

but they call it something else. I think a Torqaverter or something like that

The Torq-A-Verter (TAV) is the trade name of the Comet CVT, just saying.

 

[panchothedog]

Yeah, but the picture you show is not what's on his engine in the video he posted.
I don't remember EXACTLY what OMB Warehouse calls their product, but externally it looks the same as the juggernaut driver. I am just saying that in the video, it looks like one of those two products. The way it is completely rounded over on the edges there's not a stock one that looks like that.

 

[panchothedog]

Tork-Zilla is what OMB calls their version.

 

[Hellion]

Appreciate the comments and might reach out to the credit card company and try to get money back

If not getting your money back (drastic measures, at least for the seller), the literature included with the product should have a means to get service done under warranty at a servicing center of their choice and at their cost. Heck, they should provide transport to the servicing shop (picking up your kart for you, fixing it, and delivering it back to you).

 

[shhume]

I'm hoping someone with some expertise can help. I just purchased a Trailmaster Cheetah 8 and have less than 2 hours on it. It has a 208cc motor and still breaking in (using Amsoil). But, there is some serious metal ringing / clanking coming I believe from the Torque Convertor / Clutch area. Also, the top speed is like 15mph even though it was advertised to go up to 30mph. I adjusted the governor all the way on the carb and removed speed restrictor from foot pedal. I have tried to reach out to online seller (Motobuys) and Trailmaster and getting no where. The owners manual sucks and don't think there is a shop manual available. I took a video of it running with metal ringing clanking sound and posted online. Here is a link.

Any opinions regarding what's going on and best solution to fix are appreciated. It was my kids Christmas present so just want to get them out riding ASAP.
Thanks

Were you able to fix this? I have a cheetah 8 that is doing the EXACT SAME THING. Motobuys has yet to respond to my calls or emails.

 

[Hellion]

Were you able to fix this? I have a cheetah 8 that is doing the EXACT SAME THING. Motobuys has yet to respond to my calls or emails.

You’ve actually called (emails are easily missed and ignored) with old fashioned voice comms and got no results? That’s a strong red flag