Should I oil a go kart clutch

So you've got a go kart and you're staring at the clutch wondering if it needs oil. Fair question. The deal is it really depends on what kind you're working with. Most of the dry centrifugal clutches you'll find on recreational and racing karts? Yeah those absolutely should not get oiled. Like seriously don't do it. Oiling one of those will wreck the friction material, it'll start slipping like crazy, and you'll be replacing it way sooner than you'd want. But hey some wet clutches or certain high-performance setups actually do need a bit of high-temperature grease or oil. This article walks you through everything about go kart clutch lubrication.

What type of go kart clutch do you have?

The one you'll see most often is a dry centrifugal clutch. It's got these friction pads that grab onto a drum when the engine revs up enough. And the whole thing is built to work bone dry. If you go dumping oil or grease on the drum or those pads they'll get slippery as hell. Then you get slipping under load which just cooks everything. Heat builds up, pads wear down fast, and the drum can actually warp. So if you're running a standard 30-series, 40-series, or 218-series torque converter or centrifugal clutch just leave the clutch itself alone.

Now there's also wet clutches that sit in an oil bath. Those aren't common on consumer karts but you'll sometimes see them in racing karts and motorcycles. If yours is the kind that's submerged in oil you absolutely need to use whatever the manufacturer says. And don't go mixing different oils together.

What about the clutch bushing or bearing?

Here's where people get tripped up. The clutch drum and pads stay dry but the clutch bushing or bearing - that's the part spinning on the crankshaft - actually does need some lube. It's a separate piece that holds the whole clutch assembly together. A few drops of high-temperature grease or lightweight oil will keep it from seizing up. But you gotta be careful not to let any of that stuff get onto the friction surfaces.

What happens if you oil a dry go kart clutch?

Man this is probably the biggest mistake people make when they're new to go karts. It almost always ends badly:

• Slipping: The clutch just won't grab right so the engine revs high but the kart barely moves if at all.
• Overheating: All that slipping creates insane heat that can warp the drum and melt the friction material.
• Premature wear: Those friction pads that should last months? They'll be toast in minutes.
• Glazing: Oil can make the pads get all hard and shiny which totally ruins their grip forever.

If you already messed up and oiled it you might be able to clean things up with brake cleaner on the drum and pads then lightly sand the pads with fine-grit sandpaper. But honestly once oil soaks into that friction material you're usually looking at a replacement.

When should you lubricate a go kart clutch?

Honestly there's only two times you should ever put any lube on your go kart clutch:

1. Lubricating the bushing/bearing: Just one or two drops of oil or a dab of grease on the bushing every 10-20 hours of running. Don't go crazy with it. Wipe off any extra.
2. Wet clutch systems: If you've got a wet clutch follow what the manufacturer says for oil changes. Usually that's every 10-30 hours.

For everything else keep that clutch dry as a bone. And if you've got a torque converter the belt and sheaves need to stay dry too. Only the shaft and bearings need love.

People also ask

Can I use WD-40 on my go kart clutch?

God no. WD-40 is basically a penetrating solvent with some light lube. It'll make your clutch slip and damage the friction material. Just don't spray it on the drum pads or belt. It's fine for bolts and external stuff but keep it the hell away from clutch engagement surfaces.

How do I know if my clutch needs oil?

If your clutch makes a squealing or chirping noise when it engages that's probably the bushing crying for help not the clutch itself. A dry bushing makes this high-pitched noise. Try a drop of oil on the bushing - not the drum - and see if it shuts up. If it keeps making noise you might have worn pads or a damaged drum.

What oil is best for go kart clutch bushings?

For the bushing grab some lightweight machine oil like 3-in-1 or a high-temperature grease made for small engines. Stay away from thick grease that'll attract dirt. A few drops of SAE 30 oil or some specialized clutch bushing oil works great. Don't use chain lube or spray stuff with solvents in it.

Should I oil the clutch springs?

Nope. Springs need to stay dry. Oil can make them stick or bind which messes up engagement RPM. If they're rusty just replace them don't try oiling them.