16 hs Kohler running fast

[lobo 22]

Hello guys, I was mowing the other night and something snapped and it started running fast and couldn't shut it down, put it in the shed and shut it off. Went out today to check things: the nut on the govenor shaft was loose, tightened that, had no affect, tried adjusting the carb, then it wouldn't power up with the trottle but would run fast again when turning the needle screw, back to square one, anyone have any ideas, I sure would appreciate any input.

[Save Old Iron 1,571]

Lobo,

since the lock nuts are loose, the shaft probably slipped in its position relative to the governor arm,

the arm / shaft position has to be reset - the procedure is in the K series service manual.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

..... or the governor cross shaft tab broke off. (internal - rides against the thimble on the governor gear)

Loosen the pinch bolt through the governor arm, remove the arm completely, and see if the the cross shaft will rotate more than 1/4 turn in either direction.

[Kelly 1,033]

Another thing to look at pull the aircleaner and look in and see if the throttle blade came off the shaft, can you see it move open and closed with the engine off.

[lobo 22]

Thank you guys for the input, checked everything you said and it is all okay. It was the nut that holds the govenor shaft in the engine that was loose, almost to the point off falling out. I can get it to slow down now but there is no in-between in the power up, it's either idle or fast, now what would make that happen? Checked all the linkage and re-ajusted the carb. It also studders when quick acceleration.

[MarkPalmer 81]

Because the bushing nut came loose it's a good idea to go through the entire step-by-step governor/throttle cable adjustment procedure in the service manual. It's one of those things that is difficult to just look at and try to guess your way through it.

-Mark-

[lobo 22]

That was the first thing I did, to no avail.

[smoreau 658]

Sounds like the weights on the governor, or the shaft went bad. to see if that is the issue you will need to remove the welch plug so you can see the governor. You should ba able to get a new plug at any parts store that caries Dorman parts.

[MarkPalmer 81]

I wonder if just removing the connections to the governor arm and removing the spark plug and cranking the engine would allow the engine to spin fast enough to check if the governor is actuating? I've never tried this but I don't think it takes too many RPM for the weights to move outward.

-Mark-

[lobo 22]

Welch plug? I'm sorry but I know nothing about this. Where is it located and what am I looking for?

[MarkPalmer 81]

http://sphotos-b.xx...._82386753_n.jpg

In my link its the big freeze plug under the exhaust port. (by the number "31") I would try my trick above before prying it out. If the governor shaft moves while cranking the engine, the internals are OK. If not, then pry out the plug and inspect. Any repair to the shaft or flyweights is major engine disassembly. It is very unlikely the nut coming loose would damage the shaft- it would just slide out of the way and the pin in the flyweight assembly wouldn't be able to push against the flapper on the shaft. I've never seen it but it is possible the pin could come out of the flyweight assembly if the shaft is in the wrong position. (in that case you will have to disassemble the engine and find the pin.) In every case I've had where the governor situation was an all-or-nothing, the problem was in the adjustment of either the governor itself or the throttle cable. Hope for the best.

-Mark-

[lobo 22]

Well Mark, tried taking everything loose and the spark plug out, the arm never moved, just my luck. The only option now is tare down?

Thank You ,

Steve

[MarkPalmer 81]

I would go ahead and pull the freeze plug out, and inspect the governor assembly and shaft now. I'm kind of suspecting the pin that actuates the flapper on the governor shaft might have fell out of the flyweight assembly but a look-see will tell before ripping the engine apart.

-Mark-

[lobo 22]

Hello Mark, being new to this govenor stuff, just what am I looking for? The freeze plug, just knock it out the same as on a car engine?

[MarkPalmer 81]

You should be able to punch a hole in the plug, and pry it out with needle nosed pliers. Shining a light in the hole, you should see the internal side of governor shaft with the metal flapper on it, and the gear and flyweights with the actuator pin (that contacts the flapper) in the center of it. The governor gear may either be metal or nylon.

Shaft and bushing:

http://ihccw.com/287_8707_1.JPG

Gear and flyweights

http://www.mowergrav...age.200x197.jpg

-Mark-

[tunahead72 2,551]

Nice thread guys, I'm just following along to see where this problem ends up.

And beautiful photos, Mark, thanks for posting them here so non-experts like me can see and learn. :handgestures-thumbup:

[lobo 22]

Okay, got the plug out and to no surprise, I have a broken govenor gear. Tried to upload pics im photobucket but keep getting errors, sorry. Now the ? is, does this require the removal of the valves and all?

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

Some folks might tell you that the entire engine has to be dismantled to replace governor components, but I have installed a few governor cross shafts without removing anything but the oil sump. Although I have never swapped out a governor gear on an assembled engine, I'd say it probably could be done too. (my homework assignment for the weekend? )

Patience, determination, good lighting, a few long skinny screwdrivers, and a telescopic magnet are the tools I use - but I am very familiar how it all comes apart and goes together.

Not a requirement, but while you're in there, I strongly recommend tack welding the tab to the cross shaft.

[lobo 22]

Gee, thanks TT, that's a real confidence builder...

[MarkPalmer 81]

I have found the cross shafts can go one way or another. If the flapper on the shaft has some sideways movement to it sometimes it will come out without removing the gear. If the flapper is real tight and does not move at all I have never been able to get one out without removing the gear first. For the gear itself, you can easily get the assembly to fall out of place by removing the shaft-setscrew, but unfortunately getting it out and replaced with the crank, piston, rod and cam installed is virtually impossible. I have a K181 in front of me now I can't get the gear out with only the cam in place. I don't recall if the bigger K engines have more wiggle room in the governor area or not.

-Mark-

[lobo 22]

Got another ?, will a govenor gear from a 14 hs work in a 16 hs?

[MarkPalmer 81]

I believe the 14 and 16 HP governor components are the same. I don't happen to have any spare governor parts at the moment.

-Mark-

[tommyg 154]

All I have to say is that I am in awe of all you guys know about this stuff!