What causes a clutch to burn up? (sorry admin I'm sure this is in wrong forum)

I've now been through 3 clutches and motor still has less than 100 hours

First was at 40 hrs next was at like 70-80 now barely got 15 hours out of another one!

My motor is modded but I never turn over 4350 unless I hit something

Here's the story on this one

Was running along just fine and bam disengage...nothing on the red button but I can use momentary

Well last time clutch burnt it gave signs of it...it would slip at first then get goin then slip then bam nothing but momentary but then tried runnin only with mometary and it fried it completely and paddled back

So with that in mind i cruised a little better then idle holdin the momentary button (which is a major biotch if you've never done it) so then thumb is killin m so i rig a toggle switch instead of pushin the button so goin along then theres smoke comin from the switch box and my wires are on fire that i rigged the toggle switch on

then hook regular momentary button back up and all good then motor starts actin like the starter is turnin over and over unless i hit a certain rpm

then clutch starts just smokin and stinkin but i keep on goin well then it just goes out so then slap on the transom mount 30 lb thrust trollin motor and get after it

buddy is like so what happens if battery dies and im like well i can atleast crsnk the motor to charge the battery if have to....well bout 10 min goes by and we are movin but at the speed of a slug and i crank the motor and try the mometary it freakin works again! so then i just keep on goin with the clutch smokin and everything and got back to ramp and havent touched it since


So anyhow thats the story i know kinda long and screwed up but any ideas??

Had the same thing happen at 26 hours...The bearing locked up and toasted it.Burnt all the wire up to the control box.I have 100 hours on the replacement clutch and no problems.Knock on wood!!!!

Have you talked it over with KP at prodive-I have always found him to be very helpful and informative....

Had similiar problem with pto button, but is was just the wire connection coming loose in the back....

Also had to replace the pto switch at one point due to popping out of gear...easy fix....

Call KP... He will help get you sorted out....

Nature of the beast.

They sure do last long on the lawnmower's though.

im sure at first it was just the pto switch but gotta be reason it would go out then the clutch burning up?

no havent talked to PD bout it yet...like craig said they damn sure last forever on lawn mowers doesnt make any sense why....1000 rpms differencer from lawn mowers to what im runnin is a lot but wouldnt think it be enough in such short period of time

Dude, You need to get an outboard.

What exactly was the failure on the other clutches?

If they are all bearing related failures then you have an alignment issue. Either you got da wrong spacer on ur crank, it's on there backwards, or sumthin like dat.

thanks for the info da and stump...probably what the problem is....

the first one was when they had the washer up against the crank and bearing seized up and burnt the clutch, changed that one with a new style washer they were usin, then not exactly sure why but burnt another one up

this one kinda the weird one with the story above but havent had time to even mess with it much less call down there and talk to them bout it before 5 aclock

but im sure thats gotta be the problem bc dunno what else could be....just bad luck i guess

After the stage 2 my clutch started making a grinding noise so i replaced it.

Wonder if it was put back on correctly?? Ill never know. I think it was from dust built up inside the clutch. It still worked just had a grind in neutral.


If you want to put it on let me know. I got this shit down now

FYI when you put your new clutch on dont us an impact to tighten everything up.....the case spacer will give..... just saying.

[quote="Brinkleydog"]After the stage 2 my clutch started making a grinding noise so i replaced it.

Wonder if it was put back on correctly?? Ill never know. I think it was from dust built up inside the clutch. It still worked just had a grind in neutral.


[quote]
Had the same issue and found the clutch bands had come loose and were draggin on is turned. I replaced the clutch bands and was good after.