Hello. I've had a go-kart for quite some time now, and it's had some issues on the way. The axle snapped twice, welded it back on twice. It has no suspension and I'm riding it on a bumpy lawn, with the front tires kinda flat. Recently, the engine caught on fire while I was riding it. The chain had oil on it, and suddenly it had a small explosion on the chain and clutch. It immediately stopped the engine and was still on fire. I was burnt a bit and, of course, panicked trying to get the seat belt off. I got it off about 5 seconds later, and got far back. I didn't have a fire extinguisher, so I drowned it in dirt. What caused it to explode? There's a hot wire, but it's not connected to anything, and it's covered with electrical tape. I would like to know if it's safe to use, what caused it, and how to prevent it from happening.
Engine issues, and caught on fire.
- Thread starter Testin123
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Weeder
It's 4:02 Somewhere!
I'm going to have to say that it's as safe to ride now as it was before.
Party on!
Party on!
KartFab
Active member
First place I'd look is your fuel lines, tank, and gas cap. I'd make sure you didn't overfill the tank too.
Fuel doesn't just start on fire easily, even if it's 'hot'. Auto ignition is the temperature in which the vapor/substance ignites without an external source. For gasoline, it's about477-536 degrees F...
It needs an actual flame source or spark to ignite below that temp.
You probably just spilled tons of gas on the engine accidentally by filling, or overfilling and driving it around like crazy splashing it all over the place... then a little bit gets on your muffler and bam, there you have it.
Fuel doesn't just start on fire easily, even if it's 'hot'. Auto ignition is the temperature in which the vapor/substance ignites without an external source. For gasoline, it's about477-536 degrees F...
It needs an actual flame source or spark to ignite below that temp.
You probably just spilled tons of gas on the engine accidentally by filling, or overfilling and driving it around like crazy splashing it all over the place... then a little bit gets on your muffler and bam, there you have it.
nupmeyer15
New member
I would agree with KartFab. If the exhaust got hot enough with gas on it, it could ignite, and then fall onto the chain like you said it did.
Another word of advice...
If your go kart is on the smaller side, you shouldn't need a seatbelt. If you somehow roll over, you would want to be thrown from the go kart rather than be pinned under it.
Another word of advice...
If your go kart is on the smaller side, you shouldn't need a seatbelt. If you somehow roll over, you would want to be thrown from the go kart rather than be pinned under it.
Mr.LiverDoc
New member
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pRoFiT
Can't buy it?, build it!
Just make sure you video the next fire. We like fire. 
I didn't spill gas everywhere, and I need a seat belt. This has no roll-over bars and goes extremely fast, even with the choke on. The carburetor is screwed up, and it still gets up to 45 mph. It did, however, burn me and melted my jacket. I have the gas cap on tight, and the oil cap on tight. The engine has a stupid design, because the gas tank is near the clutch, and the live wire near the fuel line. Is it possible that the wire came loose and hit the gas tank?
jandj
Active member
Cage-belts
No cage-no belts
If you have a cage and roll it you want to be belted in so you don't end up between the cage and the ground.
If you don't have a cage and roll it you want to be tossed out so the kart doesn't beat you to death.
No cage-no belts
If you have a cage and roll it you want to be belted in so you don't end up between the cage and the ground.
If you don't have a cage and roll it you want to be tossed out so the kart doesn't beat you to death.
mckutzy
Well-known member
As they say... Hold on to yer butts....
Bigger bolsters on the seat, a different seat... Ect...that will help remaining in your seat... Or change driving tactics... Attack the obstacle at a different approach.
Also... Pics ... We need pics.
Bigger bolsters on the seat, a different seat... Ect...that will help remaining in your seat... Or change driving tactics... Attack the obstacle at a different approach.
Also... Pics ... We need pics.
Well, there's a live wire that sparks when it touches a conducive object. That could have hit the chain, and then ignited the oil there.
mckutzy
Well-known member
Yes the whole thing... And a few of the motor...
Mr.LiverDoc
New member
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I think I found a pic of his kart.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V...sDGEpTArQ59SPkrWxp30RwwQheJX7EVIVABq7xsV=s110
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V...sDGEpTArQ59SPkrWxp30RwwQheJX7EVIVABq7xsV=s110
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