Clutch makes Loud noise and other problems

[dave1701]

I was going to start up my go-kart for the 1st time this year today, but I remembered a major problem with my clutch that I was supposed to be researching over the winter.

So here's the problem:

When I start up my 5hp engine, It runs good for about about 5 seconds (or more) and then the clutch makes a loud rubbing rrrrrrr sound and the thing goes forward by it's self. I can hold on to the go kart and keep it from moving but it takes quite a bit to keep in place. After I realize whats happening the motor usually dies.

The 1st time that happened I stopped and lubricated the clutch and it was all right but when I used a third time it did it again.

PS: It seems when I press the throttle a little bit the problem stops

Is my clutch bad? I'v been lubing it up every 3 hours or so, so I don't think thats the problem.

Thanks for your time

 

[freakboy]

adjust your idle speed down a lil more.

 

[r_chez_08]

Or the clutch has overheated, but try the idle first

 

[dave1701]

It only does that sometimes, though. And Why would it make a loud noise if it was the idle. I also don't think its that because this just started happening out of nowhere, I mean, it worked fine before

 

[r_chez_08]

That's why I wondered if it has overheated, but come to think of it my clutch did this, so I disassembled it and reassembled it and it
worked fine.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Idle speed could do that easily, if its too high the clutch will start to engage, hence the sound your hearing. Could be that or a bad spring, or a bad bushing. Take it apart and clean off the shaft where the bushing rides with some scotch bright, lube the bushing, clean off the clutch shoes and inside of the drum with scotch bright, and try it again.

 

[Blazkowiez]

You've done two things, first you've worn the bushing from lack of proper lubrication. Make sure you are using regular motor oil and several drops in the correct spot.

The second problem you might have to why it overheated will be related to your driving habits. When riding in the kart and you want to decelerate you should let off the gas and ease on the brake pedal. Do not push both pedals at the same time, kids do that all the time. Also, if you ride under a speed of 15mph most of the time your clutch will not be fully engaged. Try not to putt around slowly, this really damages the clutches.

The last thing that could be damaging your clutch would be your gear ratio, did you happen to change sprockets or tires recently?