Replaced clutch, is now smoking

[dragon831]

The original clutch on my thunderkart started smoking after about 1-2 mins of actually riding around. I figured I messed it up becuase i had to set the idle reallly high so it wouldnt kill. That of course meant that as soon as i started the engine, the go kart wanted to move. So I got a new 6.5hp greyhound and also got another clutch just like the original one.

I've hooked up the greyhound but the new clutch is doing the same thing. The idle is low enough to where the clutch doesnt engage, but after about 30 secsonds to a minute, it starts smoking really bad. i greased it up before using. What else could be the problem? I didnt change any sprocket sizes. Am I just not increasing the throttle enough?

 

[Blazkowiez]

Are you driving around at a speed under 20mph? It also sounds like from your first engine/clutch you had the bad habit of holding the gas and the brake at the same time, this literally can smoke clutches.

Please take some pictures for me so that I can see what size sprocket you're running for the height of tire you are using. Also, if you weigh 250+ pounds it can be hard on some centrifugal clutches if your gear ratio is too high, that will wear the clutch much harder and faster than normally.

 

[devino246]

Are you saying that after 30 seconds to a minute WITHOUT accelerating, sitting still it starts smoking? Whats the gear ratio? Also, where are you driving; flat areas, hilly areas?

 

[dragon831]

I only weigh around 170. I didnt really ride the brakes too much with the original clutch. I did use them a little more than normal though b/c the idle was set so high. If i just let the go kart sit there with the engine running, it will run forever and not smoke. It's not till about 30 secs after i start moving. Not on a hill, just on flat ground. I understand about the wearing harder and what not, but it's a brand new clutch just like the old one. The old one lasted months. This one is brand new and smoking.

also, thanks for the replies!

 

[anderkart]

i greased it up before using.

If you used any more than just a very light film of grease on the bushing/bearing surfaces, the excess grease may have worked its way onto the clutch shoes causing the smoke. I use just 2 or 3 drops of oil on my clutch bearings.

 

[motor_head]

did you seriously get a new motor because the old one idled to high?

 

[Russ2251]

Other than some contaminates burning off, clutch should never get so hot that it smokes.
It's overloaded.
Idle RPM should be adjusted to the point that clutch housing just begins to "ding", or a little less.

 

[devino246]

did you seriously get a new motor because the old one idled to high?

God i hope not.
Whats your gear ratio?

 

[solomon]

Sounds like you may have also just bought a faulty clutch. Since it did it on both engines. take the clutch apart and see if your grease worked its way in their.

 

[Russ2251]

Sounds like you may have also just bought a faulty clutch.

Very unlikely.

Since it did it on both engines.

Points to overload.

 

[solomon]

But Russ, what would be making it overload since its all stock? And nothing has changed.

 

[Blazkowiez]

But Russ, what would be making it overload since its all stock? And nothing has changed.

Exactly, nothing has changed and he said it did it both times....

That means something is wrong, he rides wrong (or in an area which is very steep) or his gear ratio is wrong.

 

[solomon]

i wonder if maybe the rear end is somehow seized, like bad or rusty bearings or rubbing brakes causing it to load trying to move it. How many teeth are on your clutch and sprocket and how tall are your tires?

 

[gocart]

170 pounds and riding on the street you should be fine. 170 pounds and riding in a grassy yard, well it is going to be hard on the clutch. Next time buy a rebuild kit for your clutch, I use to burn them up often. I too suspect that the grease is the source of your smoke.

 

[dave1701]

Yo yo. Desperado Dave's here to tear it up.
#1 What do you think yer doin' puttin' grease on a clutch. (OIL!!!!)
#2 Don't expect to be able to get a heavy Kart with a centrifugal clutch to be able to putt around on grass, that'll eat yer clutch

Git-R-Done