Reed valve engine

[Lee Yue Yang]

Hi guys.I was asking about a reed valve engine and was shocked at the pric of maintenance-$500 per month!!Excluding fuel tires and lubricants,would it still cost about this much and why is it so expensive?Thanks.

[superbird]

They are expensive because they rev so high - up to 20,000rpm so everything wears out quickly. Lots of people get them rebuilt after 90 minutes of running time so it all depends on how much the engine builder charges

[Lee Yue Yang]

Oh.What if I don't rebuild it after 90 minutes of running time?

[DSM]

BANG!!!

[Lee Yue Yang]

Oh....

[Lee Yue Yang]

What about maintenance for a Rotax Max engine?I know that they are cheaper.Let's say I kart once a week.How much would I be spending on maintenance per month excluding fuel,tires and lubricants?Thanks.

[DSM]

The Max is a much better bet. Up to 50 hours between rebuilds, I believe.

[Superliner II]

Like DSM said 50 hours between rebuilds. Some people do a rebuild at half that, some twice that.

The Rotax is a very robust unit as kart engines go. Maintenance costs are very little as long as you keep oil in the balance-gear case, watch the water temp and dont go very lean with the jets in the carb.

The only regular running cost for the engine i can think of is mabey a change of spark plug when needed (£4-£9). I might change mine once or twice a weekend depending on whether or not i am close on jetting and what the temperature is.

Providing no accidents happen like a broken rad, you will find the Rotax to be very cheap to run.

[Lee Yue Yang]

And what if I do have an accident?

[Superliner II]

Well, if the radiator breaks thats £100. If you have a accident and don't notice that the rad is broken and keep going then its a rebuild for the engine if its siezed £300-£400. Thats a worse-case scenario.

More common accidents are bent rear axle £40-£150, bent stub axle £40, bent track rods/ends, front/side pods, back bumper £5-£30. Broken mag wheels £50 each. Bent steering column £30.

My point is that the Rotax is a cheap and reliable engine to run compared to most other classes. Chassis running costs can be high in your first year in karting. Some chassis manufacturers charge more than others for their parts. All of the above bent things i have listed (except siezed engine) were changed on my kart in my first year due to accidents, some were my fault, others were not. I thought i was unlucky but when i looked around i realised that the same sort of things were happening to everyone else. Some races i've come away with no dammage, others have been very expensive weekends. But as i have overcome each new problem it has made me come to know every nut and bolt on that kart intimately.