surging

[redhead 10]

I have a 14H.P. kohler engine and it ran fine the last time I ran it this winter, had to install new battery today and started it up, it started ok but the governor kept speeding up and slowing down. Why would it just start doing this? Like I said it ran fine before.THANKS in advance for imput

 

 

[stevasaurus 23,291]

When my 10hsp did that...it was the adjustment screw in the top of the carb.  Notice the position of the slot in the screw...turn it in while counting the revolutions until it "gently" bottoms out.  Back the screw all the way out and use carb cleaner and a fine piece of wire to poke in the holes in the end of the screw.  Replace the screw going all the in to bottoming out and then back out to what you had in the 1st place.  Should be like 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 revolutions.  Adjust the screw to get the best idle.    Just a little dirt can cause this...mix some Sea Foam with the gas after this to keep it clean.  Hope that solves your issue. 

[Daddy Don 909]

Mine did that the gov would go high speed and then slow down like it was starving for fuel. It is a 12hp Kolher. Turned out to be the points had opened two wide. Readjusted  the point gap  to 18 and now it works and runs great. I even put a new carb on it before checking the points.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Daddy Don

[Phatboy 565]

When i adjust that same screw in (while adjusting carb) if i go to far in it will do that ,, so i usually just turn it out a half a turn out from there and she is right on the money and not to rich ,, nice plug burn no carbon build up , so after ya clean the jet and are doing the final adjustments ,, give that a whip...

[Ed Kennell 42,108]

I agree, surging usually indicates a dirty carb.

I have found also that  most of my older Kohlers run better if I set the points gap closer than the manuals 0.020".    I have one that the gap needs to be at 0.010" to get the timing exactly on.