Choose the language.
TKART magazine True or False | Diaphragm kart carburetors: big truths (and myths!) about carburetion, maintenance and adjustments – Part 2
Exclusive Content
DIAPHRAGM MOVEMENT
EXHAUST GAS HEAT
DIAPHRAGM SPRING STIFFNESS
TKART
QUIZ
Start
THROTTLE
COLD START
THROTTLE CABLE

DIAPHRAGM KART CARBURETORS: BIG TRUTHS (AND MYTHS!) ABOUT CARBURETION, MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS – PART 2

Gianluca Covini
26 December 2025 • 4 min. read

Second episode (of six!) of the "True or False" series of articles dedicated to diaphragm carburetors for karting (did you miss the first? Here it is: "Diaphragm kart carburetors: big truths (and myths!) about carburetion, maintenance and adjustments – Part 1"). Keith McCloughry, product engineer at Tillotson, a leading manufacturer of FIA-approved diaphragm carburetors for Karting and other applications, answers questions like: “The stiffness of the needle spring in a diaphragm carburetor only affects the idle speed”, or “To improve cold starting with a diaphragm carburetor, simply cover…”.

Editor's Note
For those who want to delve deeper into the operation of the diaphragm carburetor, the article "The Diaphragm Carburetor" is available in the "Technical" section of TKART Magazine. This article describes its structure and operating principles. Reading it can be helpful in better understanding the topics covered in this "True or False" series of articles, especially for novice karters.


Editor's Note 2
The answers provided in this series, while sometimes referring to components or solutions developed by the manufacturer Tillotson, are based on technical principles that apply to all diaphragm carburetors, regardless of manufacturer. Anyone who uses this type of carburetor, whether amateur or competitive, will therefore find this guide useful tips for optimizing carburetion, avoiding common mistakes, and better understanding the operation of a fundamental component in karting.

Top partner
Top partner
alt

The main diaphragm (also known as the dosage membrane) does move due to vacuum generated by engine crankcase

Reply by

Keith McCloughry

Tillotson product engineer

true
false
Star
Star
You have correctly answered the % Of the answers
Continue reading the article
This week only, 50% off!
5
Explore these and many other
premium contents
Go to Magazine