tntatro 181 #1 Posted March 12, 2020 Hello, I have a K181 that I rebuilt last year and only started it off the tractor. It started right up and idled fine but now that it is on the tractor I can't get the high speed right. It will idle okay but when it gets around 2,000rpm or so it will hunt a little, if I adjust it to run a little higher it will go wide open. Also, when it's adjusted too low and I push the governor arm to raise the rpm it will fly wide open. The governor just doesn't seem to be working. Before taking the engine completely apart is there any way I can check it out externally to confirm there is an internal problem? It seems like I have to take it apart again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #2 Posted March 12, 2020 Hope this might help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntatro 181 #3 Posted March 12, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the reply, I have rebuilt a few K series Kohlers and understand the adjustments but it has been a little while. I've tried both adjusting the position of the throttle cable in the clamp and shifting the lever on the governor shaft. I'm wondering if the throttle cable could be sticking and causing problems. It's a cable off a walk behind Ferris that I got after the cables were replaced because one kept slipping and idling down. It seems to adjust either too low or it flies wide open over 4,000rpm. Edited March 12, 2020 by tntatro Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #4 Posted March 12, 2020 The k181 governors can be tricky to adjust. Make sure the disc isn’t binding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntatro 181 #5 Posted March 12, 2020 11 minutes ago, richmondred01 said: The k181 governors can be tricky to adjust. Make sure the disc isn’t binding. Thanks, I didn't think of that. I may just switch the disc with another that was working. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,763 #6 Posted March 12, 2020 Also, to confirm if it is working you can disconnect the throttle cable and adjust the throttle while it’s running... see if it try’s to fight you a bit to close back down to idle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntatro 181 #7 Posted March 12, 2020 I switched the external governor components and oiled them and I have it so the high speed is about 3,900. The last 1/4 or so of the throttle up to high speed is a little hard to push up. It got dark so I couldn't mess with it more today. The engine is hunting whenever I change the throttle and after a little while it will even out and stop hunting. I'm not sure what causes that but the last k181 I did was the same. I thought it might be because I put in a metal governor gear and the centrifugal force of the heavier gear would take a little to even out. Does that make any sense or should it be able to throttle up and down without hunting whether it's a metal or plastic gear? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntatro 181 #8 Posted March 12, 2020 5 minutes ago, pullstart said: Also, to confirm if it is working you can disconnect the throttle cable and adjust the throttle while it’s running... see if it try’s to fight you a bit to close back down to idle. Thanks, I didn't think of doing that either, but it seems to be working now, or at least the last time I tried it. I'll mess with it more tomorrow when I get out of work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gt14rider 947 #9 Posted March 13, 2020 1 hour ago, tntatro said: I switched the external governor components and oiled them and I have it so the high speed is about 3,900 You should lower that high speed down to 3,500. High speed on a k181 is 3600 no load. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntatro 181 #10 Posted March 14, 2020 On 3/12/2020 at 9:39 PM, gt14rider said: You should lower that high speed down to 3,500. High speed on a k181 is 3600 no load. Thanks, I got it to between 3,300 and 3,600 today. My tachometer isn't the best but it works well enough to get it close. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntatro 181 #11 Posted March 14, 2020 Thanks for all the help. I ended up having to first put a different fuel pump on when it wouldn't start, then tried a different carburetor because of hunting and the governor issue, then changed the governor components and it quit flying wide open but was still hunting, then put a third (lightly used cheap aftermarket) carburetor and different throttle cable and now it throttles up nicely and has minimal hunting. The engine was off a B-80 4 speed I got for $100. The engine had a broken rod so I rebuilt it and put it on my 73 "No Name" since I already put a 10hp on the B-80 to I guess make it a B-100. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gt14rider 947 #12 Posted March 14, 2020 Glad it worked out k181s are great motors once you get it set up right Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
