Flow Logic MARS Racing Engine Maintenance

• Engine oil maintenance

  • Light weight synthetic racing oil with added zinc.

  • Do not use PAG (polyalkylene glycol) based oil. PAG oils attract and retain water causing internal rusting.

  • 16 ounces fresh oil on race day for hot laps, heat, and feature races.

  • Drain oil after race day, preferably when the engine is warm, and replace with 16 ounces of fresh oil.

  • DO NOT leave an engine on the kart without oil to avoid accidentally running the engine without oil.

• Air filter maintenance

  • Lightly oil a CLEAN air filter and foam cover with air filter oil on race day.

  • Always clean the air filter and foam sock and let dry before the next race

  • Use a mix of Mean or Simple Green type cleaner in a bucket or sink of warm water.  Agitate the filter in the cleaner mix to dislodge all dirt.  Rinse the filter and foam with clean water and let dry.

• Carburetor maintenance

  • After race day drain the carburetor bowl and sediment bowl of gas.

  • Use a 10mm wrench and remove the bottom bolt on the large bowl where the float is and empty.  Turn the fuel valve off.  Remove the sediment bowl below the fuel valve with a 10mm wrench and empty.

  • Use a can of WD-40 and spray a few squirts in the small brass air bleeds located on the left and right side of the carburetor looking in the air filter.

  • Replace the float bowl and sediment bowl.  Make sure the rubber gasket is still in place on both bowls when putting them back on or you will have a fuel leak

• Engine RPM targets

  • If you over gear keep dropping teeth until RPM comes into range.

  • Do not over gear and run out of engine at the end of the straight.

  • Rookie 5,000 to 5,200

  • Junior 1 5,800 to 6,000

  • Junior 2 6,200 to 6,400

  • Pro Stock 7,400 to 7,600

• Engine temperature targets

  • Ideal engine temp: 350 - 400

  • Temps above 450 can lead to burnt rods, rings & valve springs losing tension, and premature engine failure. 

  • If the engine is consistently outside temp range the carb may be too lean or too rich and you may need to purchase additional jets.

  • If the kart is bound up (tight) and the engine is bogging and having to work too hard, this will dramatically increase temps. Work on freeing up your kart and you will see temps come down. This is a common issue with treaded tires.