Torque converter belt keeps breaking

[spockistheman]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site. Last year I bought a Vortex RT with a 6.0 Robin/Subaru engine from Tractor Supply. It hasn't been rode very much because it keeps breaking the torque converter belt. The last one broke a week ago and that makes the fourth one. The first two broke under warranty and were fixed for free. The last time they said they replaced the torque converter too.
What is happening is when you take off the go kart jerks. I rode it once with the cover off to watch what was happening. The belt expands and tries to grip but then it slips. It will eventually take hold and you can accelerate. I'm sure the jerking and slipping is causing the belt to fray. After that it's only a matter of time before it disinegrates.
Starting out the go kart was rode on a few hills and did fine. After a while it got to where it wouldn't climb them. With the last belt change it was rode on nothing but a flat smooth surface. With a 80lb kid it still ended up breaking. It says this go kart can handle over 300lbs of weight.
I'm going to pick up another belt tomorrow. However, I don't want to install it until I have figured out whats wrong. Is the belt to loose to start with? Do I need to tighten it up somehow? I've never had a torque converter on a go kart. I've always had a centrifical clutch. At this point I would take one over the torque converter.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mike75925]

since your belt is thrashed, run it with no load to see if the converter is going to lock, if it shudders or hesitates it could be no lube or too much play. check the housing and immediate area for things that could eat your belt. is the belt correct? depending on the type it could have either symmetrical or asymetrical belt. i'm guessing here, sorry if you have already done it all. it does seem to be in the drive clutch though.

 

[hurricane_lane]

I had this sort of problem with my yerf dog, and I thought the belt was too loose, so I went to Tractor Supply and purchased one of the 26" deck belts (blue). It doesn't slip, but does take a little more throttle to engage, since it's smaller in width, than the standard one. But it does have a smoother transition in power. No jerking, slipping, etc. But like mike75925 said...take a look at the torque converter with your rear tires off the ground and engine running and see if you notice anything abnormal.

 

[spockistheman]

Thanks for the replies. Thats a good idea about watching the torque converter action while its running. I think the manual says something about raising the rear of the go kart and watching while you accelerate the engine.
The belt is #5959, thats what was on the go kart and I'm going to get the same one.
THanks for your time

 

[mike75925]

do the engine pulley by it self and if it seems fine, then replace the belt but remove the chain to the wheels. process of elimination. the garter spring may be too heavy for your rpm(drive pulley). or it may be that the two pulleys have such different tension.

 

[slideways]

You are putting it on the right way right? Arrows toward the motor?

The flat sheaves of the pullies should be in line with each other. So looking straight forward from the back you should be able to hold a straight edge from the right side of the driven pulley forward to the right side of the driver pulley on the motor.

Otherwise i would lean toward the springs being bad. But i'd doubt that if they really did replace the TC.. you never know with the repair shops.

 

[spockistheman]

This will be the first belt I've installed. The others were fixed under warranty. I plan on installing it today. I will follow your instructions.
Thanks again for your help

 

[mike75925]

let us know how it turns out.

 

[spockistheman]

I went out today to install the belt and I got rained on. However I did look at the torque converter and it doesn't look new at all. There is no way it's a month old. it didn't look worn out though. I hope to get it started tomorrow and see what happens.
What is the other pulley for? The one that is spring loaded?
Thanks for your time

 

[mike75925]

to cause drag on the motor pulley in order to maximize differentiated transmission

 

[mike75925]

also to revert back to low gearing via the belt

 

[spockistheman]

I got off work early this evening and I got the belt on. I jacked up the wheels and I watched the torque converter and it seemed to be working smoothly. I drove it around a little with the cover off watching and it seemed to do really well. I noticed on the torque converter and pulley there was some rust. I sanded down the surfaces smooth and cleaned them. The pulleys are running straight. So far everything seems well. I just hoping this isn't false hope. The other times it was fixed it ran well with no slipping at first. It seems like once it does start, it only gets worse until the belt breaks. I told the kids to take off smoothly and no jack rabbit starts. Hopefully that will help out some.

Thanks everyone for your time and help.

 

[mike75925]

no problem