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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

GO KARTING!
A Guide To The World's Most Popular Motorsport.

Kart Expo International

Every new model year, each level of karting gets excited about new technological breakthroughs in engine, drive train and handling performance. Countless hours are spent reviewing technical data and millions of dollars are spent obtaining the newest, most powerful and best-performing equipment. 

Why then are lubricants that were developed many years ago used to protect these new investments? There is not a single individual in karting who would recommend twenty-year old technology in mechanical applications, but these same individuals have no problems recommending the same oil they have used for years.

Most of the blame for this situation lies at the feet of lubricant manufacturers who do not provide sufficient technological data to allow customers to make informed choices. Since there is little difference between the major brands, they spend billions of dollars to instill unquestioned brand loyalty in their customers. Synthetic lubricating oils and greases now offer much greater wear protection and higher temperature capacity than petroleum products. This article will discuss the different advantages of synthetic lubricants and the immense benefits they offer to every level of karting; racing, fun, concession and indoor kart racing.

WHY SYNTHETICS?
Synthetic lubricants were initially developed to meet the demands of military and aerospace industries for wider operating temperatures, longer service life and increased wear protection. Petroleum oils are composed of a complex and variable mixture of naturally occurring hydrocarbon compounds. This mixture of molecules as well as impure contaminants that cannot be removed by even the best refining process, limit the operating temperature range. 

Most petroleum-based lubricants, as well as the commercially available additive packages, lose protective properties at between 250 degrees F. to 300 degrees F. At these temperatures, the lubricants fail to prevent metal to metal contact, premature wear and engine seizure. Synthetic lubricants, on the other hand, are formulated from low molecular weight components to meet predetermined physical and chemical properties. These pure synthetic formulations offer increased performance by maintaining higher film strength at the high temperatures found in today’s kart engines.

Whether you a racer looking to take that next step up in performance, a kart dealer looking for a way to differentiate yourself from your competition, an indoor racing or concession track owner/operator looking for a way to decrease maintenance costs and downtime, synthetic lubricants offer solutions to today’s tough karting conditions. Let us now examine the different areas where synthetic the different areas where synthetic advantages to karting professionals.

FOUR-CYCLE OILS
Four-cycle engine oil is arguably the most hyped yet misunderstood substance on earth. Since viscosity improvement additives first became widely available in the 1960s, manufacturers of multi-grade petroleum oils (i.e. 10W40) have made exaggerated claims regarding protection and durability, without revealing the fact that it is these viscosity-improvers that limit the useful life of a crankcase oil.

Viscosity-improvers are “shear sensitive”, which means they lose their ability to maintain the viscosity of an oil as they are circulated through the system. This means that a 10W40 oil might become a 5W20 in a relatively short period of time, depending on the loads and temperature at which the engine operates. Synthetic oils can offer true long-term multi-grade protection without the use of viscosity-improvers.

This is particularly important to the indoor kart racing or concession track owner/operator who is constantly battling the high cost of maintaining a fleet of karts that are pushed to the limit all day, every day. By maintaining viscosity and thereby maintaining high temperature protection, quality synthetic oils allow for longer oil drain intervals while still decreasing wear.

To see the benefit of decreased wear, examine the amount of metal shaving on the oil plug. You should see a marked reduction in shavings after switching to synthetic oil. Another reason for reduction in wear is the low foaming properties of synthetic oils. Foaming in the crankcase leads to “gaps” in lubrication protection, increasing wear as well as operating temperature.

For the racer, protection is only half the story. By using a quality synthetic oil, kart racers can use a 10W30 crankcase oil in environments that used to call for a much higher viscosity oil. By using an oil with a lower coefficient of friction as well as reducing hydrodynamic drag caused by thicker oil, kart racers will see improved throttle response and higher RPM.

For fun kart dealers, synthetic oil offers many advantages as well. Synthetic lubricants allow informed dealers to be an educational resource to their customers. By showing a fun kart customer the benefits of engine protection due to decreased wear and temperatures, the dealer provides a value-added service that increases customer loyalty and return visits. Also, because synthetic lubricants are distributed almost solely in specialty shops, dealers can enjoy a higher profit margin.
 

TWO-CYCLE OILS
In the 2-cycle racing environment, engines are consistently exceeding 15,000 RPM. At these speeds, temperatures and loads, petroleum oils cannot maintain the necessary balance of combustibility and lubrication necessary for high-level performance. Most racing teams have already see the increase in engine temperature, wear, premature or incomplete combustion, as well as increased smoke and carbon deposits when they push the limits of petroleum oils.

Synthetic lubricants offer greater film strength to maintain a friction-fighting barrier between moving parts. Synthetic lubricants also offer more complete combustion, reducing power-robbing carbon build-up on the cylinder head and spark plug.

One item to be careful of is the common use of solvents in both petroleum and synthetic 2-cycle oil. Solvents are added to most oils to increase mixability. These solvents are flammable petroleum distillates that also have the effect of diluting oil before oil is mixed with fuel.

100% synthetic 2-cycle oils do not contain any petroleum distillates, yet they maintain excellent mixability to insure a cleaner combustion. We hear from racers everyday who tell us of reduced cylinder head temperatures and reduced wear patterns, even though they are now running their engines leaner than in the past.

By using a quality 2-cycle synthetic oil formulated without solvents, the result is a more complete, efficient combustion that will not only reduce engine smoke, but also will reduce carbon deposits that cause power loss, piston sticking and decreased spark plug life. 
 

WHEEL BEARING GREASE
The increased power and speed of today’s karts are putting more pressure than ever on braking systems. This heat us directly transferred to wheel bearings and roller bearing-fitted clutches. After just one race or a few laps on an indoor race track, the temperatures are often way above the recommended maximum operating temperatures of petroleum greases.

Above 300 degrees F., most petroleum-based greases liquefy and run out of bearings and grease seals. This problem, as well as the friction associated with petroleum greases, has led many racers to run dry bearings or bearing lubricated with engine oil. The unique properties of synthetic lubricants allow the use of a lower viscosity base fluid that creates both high temperature protection and a reduction in torque.

To test this, pack two bearings, one with a standard petroleum grease and one with a synthetic grease. Reassemble the wheels and use a torque wrench to gauge resistance. Another demonstration that can assist you in this area is to use an old electric skillet. Set the skillet for 400 degrees F. and place a high temperature synthetic wheel bearing grease on one side and a sample of petroleum wheel bearing grease on the other. In just a few minutes, you will see a dramatic difference. Grease has to stay put in order for it to offer protection. (Safety note: After cooling, carefully dispose of the grease samples.)
 

CHAIN LUBRICANT
The advent of sealed-for-life “O” ring chains does not mean the end of systematic lubrication. By frequently lubricating your chain, you will increase its effective life and insure smooth energy transfer through the rollers and sprockets. A traditional pin and roller chain requires the use of a high quality lubricant that can penetrate to the pins and yet does not fling off or evaporate away quickly. Some of the many advantages of using a synthetic chain lubricant are that it will not attract dust and dirt, the cause of the majority of chain wear. Synthetics are also “O-ring” compatible, meaning you can use them with confidence on any type of chain.

In conclusion, increases in both performance and protection are available with today’s synthetic lubricants. Yet to separate the facts from the hype, buyers must demand more from the lubricant manufacturers. Ask for scientific test data such as results of a coefficient of friction test (ASTM D-4172B), viscosity index value (ASTM D-2270) and load wear index (ASTM D-2783) and compare the relative benefits of the lubricants competing for your business. Manufacturers unable or unwilling to provide scientific data on their products are playing the hype game. And in that game, only they win.
 

END

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