- How does a go kart clutch work?
The clutch is an automatic transmission that is activated by the increased rpm of the engine.
The clutch should not engage when the kart is at idle.
The engine manufacturer sets the idle speed of an engine at the factory. The idle speed of the engine is normally around 1,650 rpm +/- 200 rpm. - Avoid Heat Damage
By properly oiling your clutch you can avoid heat damage. When heat damage occurs, the clutch will never disengage and the machine will start taking off by itself as soon as you start the engine. You can see heat damage inside the clutch drum, the metal turns from black to a blue color. The clutch must be replaced if it has heat damage and won’t disengage. Heat damage is never covered by warranty. - Oil The Bushing
Oil the bushing that is located in the sprocket at least every two (2) hours of driving time.
You’ll have to oil the clutch even more often if you have small children, riding in a small area, never going fast enough to engage the clutch all the way. The clutch continues to generate heat until it engages. - How do I oil the clutch?
Behind the snap ring, next to the sprocket teeth at the end of the clutch. There’s an internal bronze bushing behind the snap ring that requires lubrication and it’s up to you to put it there each time. With the engine off, squirt several drops of oil behind the snap ring while the bushing is warm.You can also oil the clutch before you ride, oil the clutch and give the oil a few mintues to penetrate down into the bushing, if you don’t give the oil time to get down to the bushing, the oil will just fling off which is the same as not oiling it at all because the oil never reaches the bushing. - What oil should I use?
A good automotive oil like 10W30 or a straight 30 weight oil is perfect. It’s a good idea to oil the chain at the same time. If the chain gets kinky from lack of oil it should be replaced before it damages the clutch sprocket. A new chain is cheaper than a new clutch. - Some of the driving habits that can ruin a clutch are:
Driving too slowly.Short stop and go driving.
Driving with the foot on the brake.
Changing the size of the tires.
Weight.Gear ratio.
Restrictions.
- If your kart has a grease fitting in the crankshaft?
If your kart has a grease fitting in the crankshaft for lubrication then a shot of grease once a month should be sufficient lubrication
The grease is coming from the inside of the sprocket outward, which is a better way to lubricate the clutch. The keyway in the crankshaft acts as a reservoir for the grease, which cuts down on the frequency needed for maintenance compared to oiling the snap ring area
The chain still needs to be oiled frequently to keep it from kinking up. There are some excellent chain sprays available that are waxy and will not let sand and dirt adhere to them.
Dirt and sand will wear the chain as well as the sprockets. - How a chain affects your clutch?
Most chains for go karts stretch over time.
When the chain starts falling off the sprocket then it is time to move the engine forward or backward to take up the slack in the stretched chain.
There are four bolts that hold the engine on the motor mount plate. Take an open-end wrench and a socket wrench (most likely a 9/16″) and loosen the four bolts- pull back the engine until you take up the slop in the chain.
Tighten the bolts back again but make sure the two sprockets are perfectly aligned with each other. You don’t want the sprockets out of alignment because this will cause the chain to come off or wear the sprockets unevenly.Leave about a ½” of play between the top of the chain and the bottom—don’t pull the engine back where the chain is a tight as you can get it. A tight chain can cause the kart to move in neutral with no one in the drivers seat.A tight chain puts friction on the bushing or roller bearing, which could cause it to engage when the engine is idling - Educate the rider?
Teach your child how to do the maintenance on the kart and accept responsibility for its upkeep. Every second tank of gas in the kart is about the interval for oiling the chain and the bushing. - How long will the clutch last?
If it’s installed on the engine crankshaft properly, without using the “magic hammer” to pound it on the shaft, using the right length key (1/2″) and observing all the hints that are pointed out in this article, a clutch should last several years.
However if it’s improperly installed, driven in abusive conditions (sand, steep terrain, excessive weight in the kart or rear tires taller than 15″), the clutch might only last 20 minutes. Go Karts with rear tires taller than 15″ or an engine larger than 8hp require a torque converter.
