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Old 06-22-2017, 05:49 PM   #1
michaelmc29
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Default Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

The title pretty much says it all. I hold the pedal about 1/4 to 1/3 in and the clutch will spin, but the outer spline won't move along the shaft towards the engine and make the drive belt rise up. When I get to about half throttle and the engine speeds up enough, the spline on the clutch slams against the belt and the cart jerks like a b*tch. Is it just a bad clutch that needs to be replaced?

I've got the outer hub (not sure if that's the proper term) off the clutch and everything looks ok. The spring shows age, but still feels stiff. I can't really see anything wrong with the weights. There is fine dust inside the "hub". Is that indicative of something wearing out and the clutch not working properly anymore?

Thanks!
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Old 06-22-2017, 05:55 PM   #2
michaelmc29
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

Also, will it hurt anything to put some PB Blaster or WD-40 on the crankshaft inside the clutch to see if that loosens it up?
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:35 PM   #3
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

I wouldn't use wd get a dry lithium grease wd or pb will collect dust and clutch dust and make it worse eventually
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Old 06-22-2017, 09:46 PM   #4
meimk
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

You say "the clutch will spin", but is the engine actually running yet or just cranking on the starter? I see it all the time where someone has reset the throttle cable and governor adjustments to gain more top end speed. In the process they get things out of synch so the ignition doesn't "turn on" till the carb is at about 1/2 throttle. Symptom is just as you describe: Starter cranks the engine over, but until it actually starts to run and the engine speed accelerates, the clutch will not squeeze in on the drive belt.
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Old 06-23-2017, 07:18 AM   #5
michaelmc29
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

I'll have to pay closer attention next time and see. I just turned down the governor due to it being set too high and the engine hitting the rev limiter, so I'm not sure it's that.

What would I need to look for with the throttle cable?

I took the belt off and when the engine hits high enough rpm's the clutch will slam shut. I'm a novice with CVT's, but I'd think the outer spline should move smoothly across the shaft. Am I wrong on that?
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Old 06-23-2017, 07:50 AM   #6
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

No it should be smooth clutch should engage without giving you wip lash it's really hard on your drive train also
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Old 06-23-2017, 08:25 AM   #7
michaelmc29
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

Maybe I do know something after all.... So do you think it's a throttle issue like meimk said, or an issue with the clutch? In my head, the throttle shouldn't have anything to do with the clutch slamming shut. It sounds like it's maybe two different problems:

1) Potential throttle issue where the throttle doesn't crank the engine until half way depressed.
2) Bad clutch that slams shut once the engine gets to higher rpm's causing whiplash

Is that a fair assessment?
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Old 06-23-2017, 11:28 AM   #8
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

ANY clutch will "slam" like that if it's run without a belt, You need to look for that smooth engagement with the belt on and the cart locked into neutral (or better yet in neutral on a set of good jackstands for safety) ... I'm leaning towards cable adjustment myself, what You want to do is (with the cart ignition OFF) press the gas pedal with your hand while watching the carb throttle linkage. You should hear and feel the "click" in the pedal from the microswitch BEFORE there is any movement of the linkage at the carb, if the linkage opens the carb before the microswitch engages the ignition, you will have exactly the symptoms You are describing.

Again, "click" at the pedal BEFORE any movement at the carb, tht should get You dialed back in. Common issue.
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Old 06-23-2017, 01:59 PM   #9
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

Definitely check what brew city suggested but "clutch slams against the belt and the cart jerks like a b*tch." That makes me think it's a clutch issue take the cover off the clutch inspect weights and spring and clean lube with dry lithium grease
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Old 06-26-2017, 08:26 AM   #10
michaelmc29
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Default Re: Clutch spins, but doesn't engage until half throttle

Thanks fellas. I'll try BrewCity's technique tonight hopefully. I pulled the clutch yesterday and inspected everything. Everything looked fine inside so I gave it some grease and threw it back on. If I noticed any improvement it was very slight... The clutch compressed smoothly and easily by hand, so I'm starting to lean towards a throttle issue as well. I'll keep you posted.
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