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Dan Morera
Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 127
Location: Costa Rica, Alabama, Heredia
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 Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject: WF Maintenance |
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Hey guys I'm close to buying a kart and a WF engine, I have never been around karts so I don't know much about them engine wise, chassis seems to be doable.
I used to have a jeep and I need some minor repairs, mostly changing parts and stuff like that, so my question is what kind of maintenance am I going to have to do on this engine to keep it running in good shape? I know the inside work I'll pay someone to do, but you know oil changes or stuff like that, I would like to have a check list before I jump into getting this thing.
Thanks in advance
Dan |
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Bernie Lacotta
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 168
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject: Re: WF Maintenance |
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| Dan Morera wrote: | Hey guys I'm close to buying a kart and a WF engine, I have never been around karts so I don't know much about them engine wise, chassis seems to be doable.
I used to have a jeep and I need some minor repairs, mostly changing parts and stuff like that, so my question is what kind of maintenance am I going to have to do on this engine to keep it running in good shape? I know the inside work I'll pay someone to do, but you know oil changes or stuff like that, I would like to have a check list before I jump into getting this thing.
Thanks in advance
Dan |
There is minimal maintenance on the WF. Change oil after every outing .Keep air filter clean and oiled, keep engine clean. It's a good idea to check valve lash occasionally, if set correctly there should be no problem. Checking lash isn't difficult , but someone should show you the correct procedure.That's pretty much it. As you get familiar with the engine you will dicover it's a very low maintenance unit.
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Wayne ONeil
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 319
Location: United States, Oregon, Newberg
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| Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Also have to lap the valves every once in awhile. |
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Michael Polizzi
Joined: 18 Jul 2001
Posts: 1565
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Wayne ONeil
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 319
Location: United States, Oregon, Newberg
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| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:37 am Post subject: |
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| I had that issue with the old-style carb spacer... Had to replace it every three races.. I ran the new style spacer all year, unsupported, with no issues. |
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Dan Morera
Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 127
Location: Costa Rica, Alabama, Heredia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you guys, what do you mean by lapping the valves?
Dan |
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Bernie Lacotta
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 168
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Dan Morera wrote: | Thank you guys, what do you mean by lapping the valves?
Dan |
Lapping the valves consists of removing the head , removing the valves from the head and individually twisting the valve into the seat with lapping compound between the seat and valve. You are cleaning up the mating surface of valve and seat , restoring the seal. This isn't real difficult , if you're mechanically inclined , nor is it done that frequently. A leak down test would give you an indication when it's necessary. Again , don't be overly concerned.It's not a weekly or even monthly tasak. I've never removed a head just to lap the valves. If I have it apart for any reason I'll do it.
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Michael Polizzi
Joined: 18 Jul 2001
Posts: 1565
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Lapping the valves consists of removing the head , removing the valves from the head and individually twisting the valve into the seat with lapping compound between the seat and valve. You are cleaning up the mating surface of valve and seat , restoring the seal. This isn't real difficult , if you're mechanically inclined , nor is it done that frequently. A leak down test would give you an indication when it's necessary. Again , don't be overly concerned.It's not a weekly or even monthly task. I've never removed a head just to lap the valves. If I have it apart for any reason I'll do it. |
Ahhh.... Takes me back to the days of running Briggs stock medium.. Change and/or Lap valves each and every week, weekly valve lash settings...boy I wish there was that kind of spare time these days 
I love the smell of Methanol in the morning! Smells like Victory!
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Michael Polizzi
Full Bore Karting LLC
KartRaiser.com - The Original Mobile winch powered kart lift - New design! |
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Wayne ONeil
Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 319
Location: United States, Oregon, Newberg
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Bernie Lacotta wrote: | | This isn't real difficult , if you're mechanically inclined. |
I'm not that mechanically inclined, and it wasn't that hard... I was afraid to do it the first time, but wasn't too bad. |
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Dan Morera
Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 127
Location: Costa Rica, Alabama, Heredia
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| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you guys really appreciate it, it's incredible how staring on something like this makes you feel like a kid who know nothing about nothing, you know that nervous feeling, the excitement........hell and I haven't even turned the engine on!!!  |
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philip richmond
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 9
Location: United States, West Virginia, HUNTINGTON
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 5:32 pm Post subject: wf |
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do you guys change oil after every autox? how often is the lash supposed to be checked? where is the procedure? What air filter cleaning kit do you use? We are running fjb. should i worry about a mychron ? is there a governor?
thanks
rich |
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John Matthews
Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 1989
Location: United States, Michigan, Williamsburg
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:14 pm Post subject: Re: wf |
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| philip richmond wrote: | do you guys change oil after every autox? how often is the lash supposed to be checked? where is the procedure? What air filter cleaning kit do you use? We are running fjb. should i worry about a mychron ? is there a governor?
thanks
rich |
Yes, change your oil after every outing, it's only 16oz.
Checking lash only takes 4 bolts and adjusting is only 2 more, it's a good way to know if anything has changed inside your motor. You could run all season without checking it but why? Remove the plug, turn to TDC, and run a feeler gauge between the valve stem and rocker. Adjusting just takes a 5/8' combination wrench and a 1/8" hex wrench, the first time might be tough from the threadlocker Briggs uses. If it won't budge just remove the whole adjuster and heat with a propane torch to break it loose.
A little simple green in a bucket with water will clean your filter, use filter oil sparingly.
Mychron is the simplest way of knowing if you have the carb set-up right, you might have to go to a sprint track or a big empty parking lot to get it up to temp though. Ideal temp is 360*F. You'll also run hot if your chassis is set-up too tight.
Governor is built into the coil of current WF, it used to be a black box on the front of the engine cover. It's 7100RPM.
Good luck,
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John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC. |
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Paul Hutt
Joined: 26 Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Location: United States, Washington, Olympia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:30 pm Post subject: |
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I have a brand new kart with World Formula engine.
This is what I have found out:
You need to check the tightness of most all fasteners every time before you go out on the track. The reason is that the kart has no suspension - so every crack or curb, etc. you run over can loosen the fasteners.
This includes the bolts to the crankcase cover. Last week I went out to the garage to pull my kart to the track. I found all of the oil had run out of the engine as a result of two bolts missing from the crankcase cover. My garage floor looks terrible - must have run onto the floor days before I discovered it GRRRRR
So in that case I should have checked the crankcase bolts after I got off the track OR I check the engine every few hours. 
I think this is the case with all kart engines - not just WFs.
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Bernie Lacotta
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 168
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="Paul Hutt"]I have a brand new kart with World Formula engine.
This is what I have found out:
You need to check the tightness of most all fasteners every time before you go out on the track. The reason is that the kart has no suspension - so every crack or curb, etc. you run over can loosen the fasteners.
This includes the bolts to the crankcase cover. Last week I went out to the garage to pull my kart to the track. I found all of the oil had run out of the engine as a result of two bolts missing from the crankcase cover. My garage floor looks terrible - must have run onto the floor days before I discovered it GRRRRR
So in that case I should have checked the crankcase bolts after I got off the track OR I check the engine every few hours.
I think this is the case with all kart engines - not just WFs.[/quote
Good idea to check everything but in over 6 years and many laps / hours , I've never had a problem with side cover bolts. Paul , I think someone overlooked something on your engine , like perhaps proper torque !
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Paul Hutt
Joined: 26 Sep 2009
Posts: 388
Location: United States, Washington, Olympia
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| Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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Bernie,
Sent you a PM.
Paul
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