I just bought an older Yerf Dog with the Tecumseh 6.5hp engine and a Comet 30 series torque converter. I have not messedaround too much with these torque converters, but I have a pretty good idea of how they work and such. Now on to the problem...

The first time out with the kart I shredded a strip of the outside of the belt on the torque converter. The belt was new (as far as I could tell since it didn't have a scratch on it when I bought the kart). I cut the flopping 1/8" strip of shredded belt off the belt then rode around a little more with the remaining portion of the belt; and it seemed to do okay, although the driven wheel seemed to get hot (but I don't know if that is normal or not). My initial assesment upon inspecting the driven wheel is that the green spring on the outside is too weak, as it looks like the belt got nicked and subsequently shredded because the spring is letting the two halves of the wheel seperate too much and the belt (at higher speeds) is slightly nicking the rivet heads down inside the driven wheel. That is speculation on my part, it could be something else, but it just seemed upon pulling upon the driven wheel outside half that I could pull them apart with not much force. Is that normal, my snowmobiles are definitely not that loose!!

What can I do to further diagnose the problem? Any recommendations?? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

the belt falling apart could be manny things. the most common would be rot. the belt could look fine but really be bad. If you dont know how old the belt is I'd replace it. but thats a mute point now that its scredded. I'm not sure oabut your comet torq converter but the 150 carters I have you cant move the driven pulley very easy and I'm pretty sure they are around 5 hp.you should be able to find a stiffer spring for the commet online or at one of the dealers here. this post may not be alot of help other than to tell you not to panic about the belt it might have been your only problem and not some bigger issue.

I've never had that problem with a TC30 but I have owned only one cart with a TC30 and the TC30 driver shaft clutch needs to be taken off the drive shaft taken apart cleaned and then lub with spray TC lub and then bolt back onto the driveshaft.I have owned bigger carts and buggys but they all had the the TC40 and what I just talked was not required.Hope I helped. mancoman

Or maybe wrong size belt.Driven driveshaft clutch could need to be replaced with new should be under 50 dollars.Does driver jackshaft turn ok?Bearings wear quick in jackshafts.For some reason the belt has to much slack or play how ever you want to term it. mancoman

as per the directions on the Comet site, I measured the driven pulley size and the distance between shafts and the belt that was on it was the right size. HOWEVER... when I got the kart there was already a nick in the belt and the chain was WAY WAY to loose. I automatically put a new chain on because the old one used for even 5 minutes that loose would have been all beat up and it was in sad shape (sprockets looked good). So when I went to loosen up the engine mount bolts to adjust the chain tension, I discovered that all but one of the 6 engine mount bolts was already loose. So with all this in mind, I think there are too many variables about what could have happened. I hate to potentially waste a new belt, but I think I need to try it now that the engine is properly secured and the chain is new/adjusted, and I know that the belt is new and the right size.

BUT... I am concerned that the driven pulley is not sprung correctly because I thought (from my snowmobile experiences) that the spring loading of that pulley should be enough that it is very difficult to pull apart the halves of the driven pulley with just my fingers????????? Any body know about this?

Also, anybody have a go by for adjusting the pulleys and such after I take them apart to clean and lube them??

A snowmobile torque converter may be a different drive system than the Yerf 6.5 cart.Do not confuss the 2.TC30 transmissions are easy to work on unless the cart has been damaged......wrecked or banged hard.Let me know we will go from there.You said the belt had previous damage CHANGE IT 2 wrongs don't make a right.Keep me posted mancoman

Mr.T,I have a driven pulley on my 440.That pulley should be tight very tight.I had your problem at thr bash this year.When I jumped on the gas the belt would shoot doen into hi gear.The spring has a bent end which shouid fit into a hole .There are several hole so you can adjust the tension on the belt .Hope this helps

I'd like to chime in if i may, since i've had alot of experience with this setup on my own yerfdog. If you can pull the driven apart with your hands, then one or more of the insert buttons are probably missing. Go here http://www.gokartsupply.com/asymapp.htm and scroll down to the "Replacement insert buttons" section and read it. Also try the FAQ section of this site. These people know the comet clutches inside and out. Both the driver and driven need constant cleaning and lubrication to stay in peak condition and avoid unneccesary belt wear. The alignment of the engine also plays a critical role as well, and probably contributed to your belt issue. There is also a "cord" integrated on each side of these belts when new. If they frey on either side or you get a frayed piece hanging out, cutting it off will only weaken the belt further. Replace it. And remember it goes on flat side towards the engine ONLY. Don't put it on backwards. Alot of good info on Gokartsupply.com about these clutches. Read it all.

excellent link, Specv1973. The people there are friendly and knowledgable. Been awhile since I rebuilt one of those. I believe the buttons have to be glued in? the wholes for the spring to go into control the downshift/launch.

Can you get some photos so we can see and help you further?mancoman