Lost Single Mom

[Mom]

Hi,,
I am single mom to a ten yr old son. He has been asking or a gokart for a while now.

I got laid off from my job and was certain that this christmas would suck for him, but as always my friends came through for me.

I was able to get him a good used Manco Coyote LXT (one seater) with a 5.0 HP Tecumseh motor for a couple of hundred $$.

Now, what all this means is that Mom must now become the "expert" on all things go-kart related.

So,,, what to I need to know first?? We started it and got it out and rode it. It runs good and fast and brakes well. It seems to be very cold blooded and will sometimes stall when the gas pedal gets pushed.

Can I buy mirrors, lights, bigger tires, etc for it to make it more "tough" looking?

I appreciate any and all guidance

 

[anderkart]

Welcome to the DIY forum Mom, most all of our karts are a bit cold blooded in the wintertime. Your simplest options would be simply letting it warm up longer and/or leaving the choke part way on for the first few minutes of riding. Rejetting the carburetor to have a richer mixture would probably help this situation but I'd try and see if my first 2 suggestions help first.

I havent noticed many mirrors/lights sold by go kart parts suppliers, but good auto parts stores will usualy stock several diferent varieties of new ones, and you might find auto wrecking yards would have some used alternatives avalible at lower prices.

If you post the size printed your curent tires, we can give you some options and info for instaling oversized tires.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

We really need some pictures of the kart, specifically the engine/drive train(depending on trans setup, there is some special maintenance then needs to be followed). Keep the motor full of oil and change the oil regularly (every 10-20 hours of use) just like any small engine. Use only 30wt non detergent motor oil.

 

[slideways]

All the Tecumseh motors ive seen take a long time to warm up enough to run well. Just keep pumping the primer bulb occasionally and lightly until you can press the gas down and have it take off.

I wouldnt worry about accessorizing it. Just keeping up with the maitenance will have you in the hole. It would be best to find a good mechanical friend who can make sure everything is kept tuned so it doesnt become a money pit.

Like Kenny said make sure you keep the oil changed and filled correctly. Check the air filter and make sure its clean. Lubricate the chain with WD40 every time he rides it. Add Sta-Bil to the fuel in case it sits for awhile between rides. The ethanol mix in today's fuel really screws up the carburetors in these little motors if they dont run regularly.

 

[newrider3]

Everything above is sound advice, except for the WD40 on the chain. WD40 is not a lubricant, and it will attract dirt and wear out the chain. Use some type of dry graphite spray or moly lube. I had the same Tecumseh engine on my old kart, and they are very cold blooded. Mostly due to the de-tuned emissions carburetor (non adjustable and no choke).