Go Kart will not get moving

[buckle97]

I just picked up this 6.5 hp go kart on Craigslist last night. It is in great shape and not even two years old. It is extremely fast, almost hard to control it is so fast, once it gets going. My problem is that it has a little trouble starting to move. I do not have any experience with these things so I am hoping someone around here does. Could it be that the belt needs replacing? It makes a little squeal when you push the gas and if you give it a little push with your foot on the ground it will start moving and then it will get up to speed. If I look at the engine I see the small wheel spinning when the gas is pressed but the belt does not catch and spin the big wheel until you get it rolling.
Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to give me.

 

[MMagis]

If the current belt isn’t loose, it sounds like it could use a new one.

 

[buckle97]

If the current belt isn稚 loose, it sounds like it could use a new one.

The current belt does not feel loose at all. It is also in visibly good shape, which is why I was not sure if it needed to be replaced or not. Do the symptoms I describe indicate a bad belt?

 

[MMagis]

If the belt is slipping, it certainly could be a worn belt. They don't always look bad.

 

[J_J]

Some of the belts are asymmetrical, which means unequal sides. Symmetrical belts sides are equal. The belt may be on backward. Someone might have put the wrong belt on it. also , the clutch might be on it's way out. Just put it up on blocks, and take the shield off so you can see what is happening.

 

[RavensRoost]

If belt is OK, then my guess: Centrifical clutch shoes/friction surface worn.

RavensRoost

 

[buckle97]

Please look at the attached picture with the red arrow. The arrow points to the wheel that starts spinning immediately when the gas pedal is pressed. It just spins without grabbing the belt and therefore the rear wheel doesn't spin. Is this how it would behave if the clutch is going out?

 

[J_J]

Yes, that is the clutch. Just take it apart and look at the clutch material, the springs might be missing, see if the the clutch material is worn out.

 

[buckle97]

Thanks everyone. I'll try to look at this tonight and report my findings.

 

[RavensRoost]

Actually, if the springs were worn or gone I would expect the symptom to be the clutch is always engaging and likely also stalling motor at low speed. Doesn't mean he couldn't have BOTH spring issues and bad shoe/friction material though ;-)

RavensRoost

 

[buckle97]

I took a closer look at this last night. I put a new belt on and it didn't make any difference.
I guess I just don't understand how the clutch functions. I took it apart and all the springs are there. The wheel that I took off to see the clutch did appear to have a ridge worn into the inside of it. The clutch also appears to have an uneven surface, although I don't really know what worn out would look like.
Does this sound like I need a new clutch or the outer wheel (whatever that is called that the belt goes on)?

 

[J_J]

How about some pictures. Did you look at the pulley set up. Does one side of the pulley have more of a slant than the other. Uneven surface does not sound good. If the wrong belt has been used for a while, it could have worn a ridge/gouge, where the pulley top edge was getting most of the friction. I would just throw in the truck and go by a cart dealer/repair place and he could look at it and fix you up. Long distance mechanical analysis is difficult at times.

http://www.gokartsupply.com/trouble.htm

http://www.gokartsupply.com/tcterms.htm

http://www.gokartsupply.com/asymapp.htm

 

[buckle97]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to run by the go cart shop when I get a chance.

 

[buckle97]

I picked up a new clutch on Friday. The go cart now moves great and starts moving as soon as the gas pedal is pushed.
Thanks for all the help!

 

[drivadesl]

Nice looking go cart, glad things are working for you. Its kinda nice when you identify a problem and can fix it yourself and all works out well in the end.