Engine racing, possible governor issues.

[Alex175 784]

Last night I was testing out my mower deck, doing a few laps around the yard.  After around 20 minutes of use, my engine picked up in RPM and stayed there for 20 seconds until I shut the tractor off.  The reason I am thinking governor is that I had noticed the last few times I ran the tractor it also had issues throttling up where it would bog down and sometimes stall.  I ran the tractor for another 10-15 seconds this morning and it immediately wound right up to the high throttle again, it also threw some some light smoke out of the exhaust as well.  I checked my throttle cable and it appears to still be moving properly. Has anyone seen anything like this, or have any ideas?  For reference this is on the 17hp Kohler, I believe it is the series 2.

[The Gman 476]

Check to see that there is tension on the govenor spring when moved to full throttle.

Also the govenor arm may have slipped on the cross shaft that leads into engine. 

You will need to reset it if it has slipped.

To set it,

1. Loosen the nut that holds the arm to the cross shaft.

2. Pull the throttle linkage full open using the govenor arm at that end and hold there!

3. Use a pair of pliers and turn the cross shaft fully clockwise.

4. Tighten the govenor arm nut.

If that does not do it get flashlight and look down the oil fill tube, you may have to take the extention pipe off. You should be able to see a portion of the govenor wheel. It will be a beige/white colour. Flip the govenor arm back and forth while you look.

[Alex175 784]

@The Gman thank you for your help.  I'm not sure what it was stuck on, but I started the tractor yesterday and as soon as I touched the linkage (just poked it with my finger) while it was running it came free and idled down and has been running fine since.  It's odd because touching the linkage with the machine off did nothing, it wasn't until the tractor was running that it worked.

[Pullstart 66,843]

Could this be a sign that something internal hung up?

[stevasaurus 23,281]

You know...the "Magic Touch" can go a long way.     I think I would spray some carb clean all around that linkage.

[Alex175 784]

47 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Could this be a sign that something internal hung up?

 

That was my thought as well.  I also did an oil change on it the other day and in a pinch used a much heavier viscosity than I should have, thinking back I think that may have contributed to it getting hung up.  After the linkage freed itself I got the tractor in the garage and changed out to a 10w30 and that seems to be helping as well.  It doesn't bog down anymore now when I throttle up.

[tunahead72 2,546]

2 hours ago, Alex175 said:

 

That was my thought as well.  I also did an oil change on it the other day and in a pinch used a much heavier viscosity than I should have, thinking back I think that may have contributed to it getting hung up.  After the linkage freed itself I got the tractor in the garage and changed out to a 10w30 and that seems to be helping as well.  It doesn't bog down anymore now when I throttle up.

 

Hmm...  Define "much heavier viscosity".

 

[Alex175 784]

5 minutes ago, tunahead72 said:

 

Hmm...  Define "much heavier viscosity".

 

20w50 which was all I had at home at the time.  Which is funny, because I work for an oil manufacturer and normally have a decent stock and supply.

[tunahead72 2,546]

That doesn't sound like it would cause the problem you're seeing.  Try Steve's suggestion, carb cleaner, or even WD-40.  For that matter, has the carb been cleaned recently?