Hi, i'm new here and it seems like a good place to find out my problem. I'll give as much info as i can to help you with my problem. I have an older (10+ years) yerf-dog go-cart with a 5.5 hp tecumseh engine which i received from a cousin of mine. I can't find an exact model number on the go-cart but it is chain driven and the sprocket has 45 teeth and the clutch is a #41 with 10teeth. My problem is that when i start the engine i have problems with the clutch getting very hot and seems to want to stay engaged. I replaced the original clutch because it was'nt engaging right and would slip ALOT and would heat up so hot that it seemed to stay ingaged all the time so i thought it was the clutch. I bought a new max torque #41 10teeth 3/4 inch replacement clutch. I put it on started it up and i thought everything was good because now it would idle without staying engaged but when i tried to ride it, it would slip just like the old one, even with my 6 year old riding it, and would heat up after a few minutes to where it seemed to want to stay engaged to where it would bog down the engine to the point of it stalling. The clutch gets hot enough after 15-20 seconds to where you can't touch it because it's so hot. Basically i have checked the chain, wheels, engine, eveything i could think of and can't find a reason for whats happening. Engine idle speed is good and the wheels turn freely on their own and the chain isn't too tight. The clutch seems to turn freely even after it gets way hot. Everything seems original on the cart. I'm open to any suggestions. The kids are dying to ride but i can't get it to work right. Thanks for any help you can give.
clutch problems
- Thread starter funkart
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Kaptain Krunch
Pro Junk Collector
your gearing is too high, get a bigger axle sprocket, 70t would probably be good, you could probably get away with a 60t also.
clutch
I did think about the gearing being the problem but the cousin of mine i got this from seems to of never had this problem i know of. That is whats so confusing to me because it came from the factory like this and they never had any problems. The gearing should be somewhere around 6 to 1 should'nt it? If there's anything else you could possibly think about let me know please. Thanks for the advice.
I did think about the gearing being the problem but the cousin of mine i got this from seems to of never had this problem i know of. That is whats so confusing to me because it came from the factory like this and they never had any problems. The gearing should be somewhere around 6 to 1 should'nt it? If there's anything else you could possibly think about let me know please. Thanks for the advice.
clutch
Oh yeah, i was also wondering. Today was the first time i ran it with the new clutch, since it got hot i noticed that after it cools down i start it and it seems to be trying to engage and bog the motor down some. Could the clutch already be shot from it getting hot earlier? Seems like it should hold up with being hot cosidering the stopping and going kids do all the time. Thanks again
Oh yeah, i was also wondering. Today was the first time i ran it with the new clutch, since it got hot i noticed that after it cools down i start it and it seems to be trying to engage and bog the motor down some. Could the clutch already be shot from it getting hot earlier? Seems like it should hold up with being hot cosidering the stopping and going kids do all the time. Thanks again
sounds like the tension springs in the clutch are too weak.
Kaptain Krunch
Pro Junk Collector
No, its definitely the ratio, 4.5:1 is way too high. What size tires do you have?
The reason it was engaging too soon was most likely because the ratio was too high in the first place, and after riding it, and letting the clutch overheat the spring(s) lost there springy-ness (for lack of a better word).
So get yourself a 60-72t sprocket (depending on tire size), and see if the clutch doesnt get as hot, you may need a new clutch if its engaging at idle, or new spring(s).
The reason it was engaging too soon was most likely because the ratio was too high in the first place, and after riding it, and letting the clutch overheat the spring(s) lost there springy-ness (for lack of a better word).
So get yourself a 60-72t sprocket (depending on tire size), and see if the clutch doesnt get as hot, you may need a new clutch if its engaging at idle, or new spring(s).
Tire size is 18 x 9.50-8 If the spring has stretched do you think it will work if i take the clutch apart and shorten the spring by a couple of coils? I shortened the spring on the old one and it helped but i still had the same problem. My clutch is the kind that has one circular spring going all the way around. You know any sites that sells sprockets reasonably?
anderkart
Moderator
Those stop and go's aren't helping anything. The clutches hardest job is while its slipping to initially get the kart rolling. After the karts up to speed and the clutch is fully engaged/locked in, Its no longer slipping and producing heat from all that friction.
I was wondering if your rear tires are taller than this kart origanaly had?
Everything seems original, tires and all. The way the clutch seems to be working is that when you get on the kart and give it gas the clutch just spins or slips and you slowly and i mean slowly start to take off and thats only if you're on a level area and the wheels are pointed straight ahead. Then after just a couple of minutes riding it, it seems to get so hot it stays engaged and just kinda chugs along because the clutch seems to not be disengaging. Hard to explain but i hope you get what i'm saying.
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