Put your kart away for the winter pause - TKART Magazine | TKART

1 WINTER IS ON ITS WAY

The winter cold has arrived after the end of the racing season. Many drivers take a break, some longer than others, awaiting the return of milder temperatures. However, a kart is not a bicycle that can be left unused for months and then be used again without problems. Indeed, while it is true that this vehicle becomes "consumed" when it is used, even in periods when it stays still for a long time it is likely that some of its components will deteriorate. To avoid this, you just have to follow a few simple steps: they may be a bit tedious at the time but will without doubt be appreciated when it's time to take the kart back on a track again.

The first rule for storing a kart properly is almost obvious: Clean the chassis well and remove any rubber residues, grease, oil and dirt in general.

2 ENGINE

The "heart" of a go-kart requires the most attentive care. What does this involve? It depends on how much the engine has been used and for how many years it was mounted on the chassis. Without doubt, a complete service is not enough, especially if it has been a while since this has been done. To do things in the best possible way, you should contact your mechanic so you will have the confidence to start the season again in full efficiency. It wil be possible to begin keeping track of the successive "services” that need to be carried out.
Anyone who loves DIY, and has a KZ engine, can perform the servicing independently, following the advice of Dr. TKART in its article dedicated to this topic.

Complete engine servicing at the end of the season is always the best action to take

3 GETTING RID OF WATER

Whatever the decision taken regarding the servicing of the engine, it is certainly in any case necessary to unplug the water pipes from the engine. These should also be detached from the water pump and radiator and must be checked to ensure they are fullly dry to avoid deposits of limestone or other damage to the materials.
In regard to water, the radiator should always be emptied, even after a normal day on the track. If water remains in the system, it forms a layer of limestone that damages the heat exchange between liquid and aluminum. The following is the advice of Marco Malverti, the proprietor of New Line, on this topic.

It is good practice to always remove the water from the radiator

4 CARBURETOR

The carburetor is a particularly delicate component, which is why it is necessary to dedicate some attention to it. It is essential not to leave fuel inside, which, by stagnating, ends up spoiling the membranes. There is a specific pump to be attached to the "beak" where the fuel inlet pipe is connected to completely empty the carburetor. If you don’t have this tool, the carburetor may be shaken gently so that the all the fuel escapes.
If, however, you wish to do things properly, you can once again rely on Dr. TKART for how to disassemble and reassemble the membrane carburetor.

It is important for fuel not be left in the carburetor

HOW TO... PUT YOUR KART AWAY FOR THE WINTER PAUSE