23 hp clutch issue

kennyh99

I have a 1995 ezgo with a 23 hp briggs motor, cpp06 clutch, the problem is when i hit a hill the rpms stay around 3500, but the cart steadily slows down to a stop until i lift off the gas, hit it again then starts speeding up for a while then slows down again. I don't think the belt is slipping, it doesn't make any noise. When on flat roads it works great, just on hills, and sometimes it doesn't do it

BGW

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ramptester

I'm having the same issue. Moved the motor mounts to have the clutches in perfect alignment and it improved but did not solve the problem. Motor pulls well when accelerating from about 12-20mph, but does not start well on inclines and also slows down and stops pulling on hills despite engine RPMs staying up. Mine is all new kit from CPP with the updated clutches and wider belt, 23hp on club car

slonomo

This sounds like a secondary clutch issue. It sounds like the clutch isn't backshifting (downshifting into lower ratio).

I would look over the secondary clutch thoroughly, look for worn sheaves (dishing), dry shaft (lube), worn or missing ramp shoes, and worn spring. If the spring is original/old, I would replace it. Sometimes you can get a "torque spring" which will give you more low end torque and better backshifting. Some people don't like the torque spring with the big blocks though, as it can take away some top end and possibly make the rpms increase at lower speeds.

It could also be the belt if it is worn or glazed. That belt should be a 1 3/16" I'm guessing, so if it measures less than 1 1/8" it needs to be replaced. If its shiny on the sides and feels hard, it's toast. Sometimes with the big blocks the stock grade belts don't hold up. I'd recommend a HD belt like the one from CPP or a Kevlar type.

ramptester

mine is a brand new conversion

kennyh99

Thanks

My belt is a heavy duty kevlar style, its still in good shape, i just replaced the secondary clutch this year, maybe it was dry from the factory, ill take it off and check it out, thats what i was thinkin is it is opening up and when i go up a hill it doesnt close back to downshift and lower the gear ratio, the belt just stays in high gear. Its hard to drive mine without a seat and actually watch it, maybe use a board to sit on and watch it when it does it and see if the secondary clutch never closes back down to low gear like it should.

ramptester

I'm thinking that since these comets from cpp were developed as snowmobile clutches, they would be used with motors spinning much faster than 3500rpm. Mine works great on flat ground, but it will not pull the same hills that my bone stock 48v precedent will, and it has 23s.

kennyh99

Mine is a older setup, it never had a issue with hills until this year, mine has 26 inch tires on it, i need to drive it and try to watch it and see whats happening, if the belt stays low on the second pulley i know its not downshifting as i slow down going from flat to uphill. To tall of a gear will make it stop.

sho305

Sounds like it is slipping but hard to say from here lol. Remember the secondary backshifts but its other main function is belt tension. The static spring pressure and the pinch pressure from the helix under torque grips your belt. If it was slipping and you put a stiffer spring in, it would cure it. If you put lower helix ramp in that made more pressure, that would cure it. Even jacking up the preload on the spring may help. You don't want it to slip, on the other hand too much pressure there will lose you power in belt friction.

What you can try for a quick test, is to sand the inside of the sheaves. Sled racers do it all the time. Remove belt and use a fine sand paper and sand from the center out and back in. Do enough to take the shine off the sheaves. The belt will grip harder that way. If that works then you likely need a stiffer spring in the secondary.

A better belt may also help, I really like the HD kevlar belt from CPP. It is just like a utv belt and double cogged, it has more side area to grip.

If it slips your sheaves will get pretty hot also.

If it does not downshift and the belt does not slip, you will drop rpm until the engine bogs out. If rpm stay up then it is slipping or your engine has lost power and its downshifting and you are slowing down...just like a stock engine will on a big hill.

This is the highest load, so if you have an air cleaner or fuel issue it can lose power here and seem ok otherwise.

ramptester

I adjusted my throttle to the most wide open setting and it increased top speed from 15 to 35. I suspect it will get up the hill now but will have to wait until tomorrow. Just finished the kit install, so I don't yet have all the kinks worked out

Dave in VA

The instructions from CCP for the Yamaha kit has the accelerator cables hooked up to the cart governor, just like a stock cart. I was experiencing similar problems until I ran the pedal cable directly to the carb, eliminating the gov. If you're utilizing the cart gov, that may be the problem...