Go-Kart Maintenance: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets

Source: Karting Australia

If you are a driver, you are also a mechanic. The world of go-kart racing is as raw as it gets, meaning everybody is always getting their hands dirty, and maintaining a go-kart is a great example.

These karts require maintenance, which can be daunting from the outset. However, keeping a go-kart running and in shape becomes natural when coupled with experience and knowledge. In this article, Kart Class aims to provide the basic elements that drivers & mechanics must remain on top of in order to get the most out of your kart.

Lubrication

Source: ROTAX Racing

To be smooth on track, a kart’s inner workings should be just as smooth. Failure to do so can result in a low performing kart as well as excessive wear and tear that can shorten the life of your go-kart and its components. 

Hence, lubricating essential parts of your kart is crucial to ensuring the kart runs well and proves to be a reliable machine. Parts that often need lubricating include but are not limited to the kart chain, axle bearings, and sprockets. 

The frequency at which you lubricate the aforementioned parts of your kart varies. A good rule of thumb is that a chain must be lubed after every session whilst bearings and sprockets are typically tended to after an entire race day. Regardless, it is clear that lubrication is something you’ll find yourself doing often.

Chain Tension

Source: PKS Go-Karts

A go-kart chain connects the engine to the rear axle through sprockets. This chain can be adjusted to be tighter or looser, and that is what’s referred to as chain tension. Finding the sweet spot is key, as a chain that is too tight can cause excess wear on various parts of the kart & reduce engine performance. On the other hand, a loose chain can cause it to fall off and result in no power transfer. 

To change the tension within a chain, you must loosen the bolts (engine mount) that keep the engine in place. From there you move the engine to your liking and simply reattach the bolts back in once the position of the engine has been set.

Checking the chain tension involves checking the amount of slack, which is basically how loose the chain is. A good rule of thumb is about an inch of flex should do the trick. Furthermore, the chain should look firm and should not be hanging loose at any point. To notice if your chain is stretched, once off the kart, hold the chain at either end. As you twist, if the chain is moving up and down and looking like the letter ‘C’ it’s stretched too much to be used.

Engine

Source: Tillotson

Responsible for providing power to the kart, it goes without saying that engines also need maintenance simply for its role in getting your kart going. 

Check with your engine manufacturer on how long they recommend between engine rebuilds, as some engines will need to be serviced between 6-10 hours of running time, whilst others might be able to be stretched a little longer.

This might be a new piston & ring, bottom end bearings & checking the squish to make sure your engine is still within the rules, but also performing at its best.

Brakes

Source: Go-Kart-Source

Brakes serve as an integral part of any kart, helping it slow down to corner and avert potential accidents on the circuit. In the process of maintaining brakes, check brake pad depth, fluid in the master cylinder and no air is in the system.

Over time, air can enter the brake system, causing a spongy brake feel and reduced effectiveness. The purpose of bleeding is to flush out this trapped air by pushing fresh brake fluid through the system.

To bleed the brakes, you’ll need a brake bleeder tool, the correct brake fluid, and some clean rags. Begin by loosening the bleed valve on the caliper that faces upward. From there, attach the bleeder tool, open the valve, and slowly pump the brake pedal to force fluid through the brake lines. Be sure to keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir to avoid it running dry. Eventually, air bubbles will be expelled through the bleed valve. Once only fluid comes through with no bubbles, close the valve as that means there is no more air left.

Always use the manufacturer-recommended brake fluid and regularly check fluid levels. You should bleed the brakes whenever performance drops or after replacing components. Proper brake bleeding ensures reliable and consistent braking.

Mechanics & drivers should take note on the brake pad depth, as once they get thin, the brake pedal might travel further and the performance might not be as sharp.
A tip when fitting new pads is to scuff the pads on a concrete surface to take the shine away so the abrasiveness bites into the pad more.

Carburetor

Source: Tillotson

The carburetor in a race kart plays a key role in engine performance as it controls the air-fuel mixture that powers the engine. It’s a mechanical device that blends air and fuel in the correct ratio before it enters the combustion chamber, where the mixture is ignited to produce power.

In maintaining a carburetor, regular cleaning will help keep your engine running at its best and ensure strong, consistent power on the track. To do so, start by carefully removing the carburetor from the kart’s engine and soaking the metal components in a high-quality carburetor cleaner designed for racing engines. This helps dissolve varnish and fuel deposits. Use a fine wire or compressed air to clear jets and internal passages, as this step is important for smooth throttle response.

After cleaning, rinse the parts if necessary and dry them thoroughly with compressed air. Reassemble the carburetor using fresh gaskets and check the float needle and seat for wear. Finally, reinstall it on the kart, reconnect all linkages, and test the engine.

Miscellaneous

Aside from the major parts mentioned above, there are other parts that serve just as important of a purpose that do not require much effort to be maintained. One example would be the data logger and transponder. Responsible for tracking lap times and performance data, it’s important they are securely mounted and fully charged for the day

Fuel quality also directly affects engine performance, so always use fresh, high-grade fuel recommended for your kart’s engine and avoid long-term storage, which can lead to fuel degradation and deposits. Be sure to also regularly check fuel lines for cracks or leaks and replace any damaged sections.

Specifically for water-cooled karts, the radiator system must be maintained carefully to avoid overheating. Prior to any session, be sure to fill it with distilled water as this can prevent mineral deposits and corrosion. Also keep the radiator clean by removing dirt and debris with compressed air or a soft brush. Finally, periodically flushing the cooling system also helps prevent corrosion.

Last but certainly not the least, cleaning your kart can show any cracks in the frame that might be causing your karts loss in performance. Look for areas near welds, rear bearing hangers and underneath the engine where the most wear and tear occurs.

CONCLUSION

What we’ve mentioned so far is simply the basics of karting maintenance. With the detailed and intricate nature of karts, it would be difficult to encapsulate everything that needs to be taken care of. Because as we mentioned earlier, it is knowledge and EXPERIENCE that will make you a cut above the rest!

To elevate your go-kart racing career to the next level, Kart Class has your back! Under the tutelage of a multi-time race winner and Australian kart champion David Sera, a variety of training programs are in store for you. 

For beginners and champions alike, and even track guides on the most notorious race tracks out there, Kart Class will be sure to take you from the back of the pack and all the way to the winner’s circle!