Horstman Wet Clutch leaking oil

[Jasonrk99]

Hi everyone ! I drove my Margay lynx race kart for the first time last night after 7 months of restoration. It’s got a Yamaha KT100 and after using predators for years this thing was a rocketship once the power came in at 7000rpm.

Everything went well except I was getting nervous about the oil leaving the wet clutch.

I replaced the oil gasket so I don’t think it’s coming from there. I tipped the kart on its side to fill up the clutch with oil prior to driving the first time(a little hex cap on the shiny billet side cover). I think the oil is coming from around the starter nut in the center(???)

Is it possible that I OVERFILLED the clutch with oil, or is there no such thing as too much oil?

New to these 2 strokes and their wet clutches, so tell me what ya know. Thanks!

 

[Jasonrk99]

Here’s the kart!

 

[Jasonrk99]

I just wanna drive it

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I don't know much of anything about 2 strokes and wet clutches, but I just wanted to say:
NICE KART!!

 

[Budget GoKart]

My 212 yard kart feels like a rocket ship it spins tire everywhere. Is your bolt tight? You said it looks like its leaking around there i know nothing about 2strokes either lol.
Awesome kart and dedication! Im almost done with my yerfdog build off kart

 

[Jasonrk99]

My 212 yard kart feels like a rocket ship it spins tire everywhere. Is your bolt tight? You said it looks like its leaking around there i know nothing about 2strokes either lol.
Awesome kart and dedication! Im almost done with my yerfdog build off kart

Thanks man! Yes the starter nut is tight.

212s spin the tires and are good engines for your kids, but they don’t rev to 14,000 rpm and make 20hp and have a powerband like a little 100cc or 125cc 2-stroke.
You need a 2 stroke kart in your life my friend!

 

[Dingocat]

Thanks man! Yes the starter nut is tight.

212s spin the tires and are good engines for your kids, but they don’t rev to 14,000 rpm and make 20hp and have a powerband like a little 100cc or 125cc 2-stroke.
You need a 2 stroke kart in your life my friend!

We're broke teens, that might have to wait.

 

[Budget GoKart]

I agree with dingo cat lol. Also i am fixing a one of a kind proto type go ped with a weed whacker engine its 2 stroke and really cool, its 2 speed full suspension. Id show it but its too dark. i dont know much background but im just gettin it running for "scooter guy" i call him. He builds 80mph scooters and stuff. He just didnt want to mess with it. And i had a 2 stroke elcheapo mini chopper it was fun to parade around on

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Ohhh, what did I start?? *Shakes head*
C'mon guys, let's stop lamenting about our self brought upon poor finances.
In other words, let's get him some real help from other members.
Cool?

 

[mckutzy]

Have you tried looking up the manual for that particular clutch... You dont show any marking of the clutch as to ascertain the exact variant...

 

[itsid]

that is a DXL..
it needs specific clutch oil (some odd viscosity high heat stuff)
And it must not be more than half full with oil.

So, if you used engine oil, chances are your clutchplates are now spoiled..
Drain the oil and use proper clutch oil instead,
set the clutch slip as per the manual (linked above)
and if that doesn't help I think you'll need to clean the friction discs first.
bath them in degreaser for a few days, then in clutch oil for an hour or two,
then reinstall them with a properly filled case (half full)

Adjust all there is to adjust as per the linked manual and see if it makes any difference.

'sid

 

[Jasonrk99]

Ohhh, what did I start?? *Shakes head*
C'mon guys, let's stop lamenting about our self brought upon poor finances.
In other words, let's get him some real help from other members.
Cool?

Thank you .I love real help! Not hearing about weed whacker scooters

---------- Post added at 05:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:52 PM ----------

that is a DXL..
it needs specific clutch oil (some odd viscosity high heat stuff)
And it must not be more than half full with oil.

So, if you used engine oil, chances are your clutchplates are now spoiled..
Drain the oil and use proper clutch oil instead,
set the clutch slip as per the manual (linked above)
and if that doesn't help I think you'll need to clean the friction discs first.
bath them in degreaser for a few days, then in clutch oil for an hour or two,
then reinstall them with a properly filled case (half full)

Adjust all there is to adjust as per the linked manual and see if it makes any difference.

'sid

Thanks itsid. I appreciate your help a lot. You actually answered my question about how much oil should be in the clutch instead of telling me that you have a Predator 212 go kart! Very cool!

Anywhoooo. Do you think I’ll need to adjust the engagement / slip of the clutch ? I haven’t driven it enough to really know. It seemed fine when I drove it a few days ago, but you definitely know your stuff. That manual will come in handy I’m sure.

I have been using Kartech wet clutch oil purchased from BMIkarts. Such a strange viscosity lol. I’ll go ahead and drain it to see what I’m dealing with, then pull the clutch apart if necessary. I’ll keep you updated in case I need more help.

Thanks again!

 

[itsid]

can't tell if you need to adjust slip I'm afraid..
the KT100 can be modified quite a bit,
and while some like their engagement at ~4k some other like it much later
(based on exhaust and fuel, compression and personal preference)

Leave it as is, and see how you feel after a few more runs,
if you think it should engage a bit earlier, then reduce slip,
if you think it could go forward with a bit more oomph, try a hair more slip
and dial it in as needed.

Ah well you need to excuse the kids I'm afraid
They're young and they don't know a two stroke kart engine when they see one yet.
(Much less know what they can do...)

I got a direct drive 100cc Rotax rotary valve..
and that thing can scare the living thing out of my abob.
It's nothing for off track use let's say
I wish it had a clutch, maybe the chance of actually stopping the kart would
make it parking lot worthy ...

Anyways, make sure to get a KT100 maintenance manual (yamaha still has it on their website)
since even though it's a relatively low maintenance engine it's still just an 8-10hrs service interval IIRC.
(unlike my 4-6hr rotax)

I don't own a wet clutch I'm afraid
the rotary valve let's the intake sit 1/2" above my sprocket;
no way to mount any clutch without having special parts made...
If your Kartech oil is for racing clutches I doubt it's much different than the Horstman one..
but the lack of experience with wet clutches only let's me "guess" of course.

just see how it performs, it should certainly be good enough for some fun off track.
If you have racing in mind, you might get a more reliable opinion from a fellow racer with a wet clutch

'sid

 

[Jasonrk99]

can't tell if you need to adjust slip I'm afraid..
the KT100 can be modified quite a bit,
and while some like their engagement at ~4k some other like it much later
(based on exhaust and fuel, compression and personal preference)

Leave it as is, and see how you feel after a few more runs,
if you think it should engage a bit earlier, then reduce slip,
if you think it could go forward with a bit more oomph, try a hair more slip
and dial it in as needed.

Ah well you need to excuse the kids I'm afraid
They're young and they don't know a two stroke kart engine when they see one yet.
(Much less know what they can do...)

I got a direct drive 100cc Rotax rotary valve..
and that thing can scare the living thing out of my abob.
It's nothing for off track use let's say
I wish it had a clutch, maybe the chance of actually stopping the kart would
make it parking lot worthy ...

Anyways, make sure to get a KT100 maintenance manual (yamaha still has it on their website)
since even though it's a relatively low maintenance engine it's still just an 8-10hrs service interval IIRC.
(unlike my 4-6hr rotax)

I don't own a wet clutch I'm afraid
the rotary valve let's the intake sit 1/2" above my sprocket;
no way to mount any clutch without having special parts made...
If your Kartech oil is for racing clutches I doubt it's much different than the Horstman one..
but the lack of experience with wet clutches only let's me "guess" of course.

just see how it performs, it should certainly be good enough for some fun off track.
If you have racing in mind, you might get a more reliable opinion from a fellow racer with a wet clutch

'sid

That rotax sounds like a lot of fun. I’ve always wondered why the put that intake right above the drive sprocket. Didn’t know it was a rotary valve. Pretty neat. Would love to try one out someday on a track. Do you know if it keeps up with its younger sibling, the water cooled 125? Because those things boogie.

I plan to take the kart to undeveloped/abandoned neighborhoods and just have a good time. Seemed like plenty of fun the way it was, but you say giving it more slip will allow it to go go go? Is that because the clutch would be engaging in the powerband at 7-8000rpm? (Or whatever the powerband is. I’ve got the big expansion pipe on it now, it has a flat end, not a stinger end)

Also, I’m 19 but I just think outside the box. I wish those other two would as well, instead of randomly interrupting the thread with their bragging over a 212 yard kart. 212’s aren’t the end-all-be-all of engines Their power per liter is disgusting and disappointing, but understandably so for a $100 chinese pressure washer power source.

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.