[teamsawbelly]

My 14 hp Kohler surges when I'm driving in 4th gear i.e. a rough ride, nothing crazy just spinning around the yard. My brother said that he had that happen on his Cub Cadet (with the same engine) and said it was the governor mechanism where it attaches to the carb. He said the hole wears and allow for the governor to surge. Any truth to this? Or is it something else?

Also, the engine does not want to throttle up after warm. Runs fine at idle but wants to die as I throttle up. I can get it to full throttle if I feather it, and it does run fine at full throttle once it's there.

I'm still using the tractor, but would like to have it running correctly.
I have not replaced the fuel filter, plug, or air filter. I guess i don't reaaly think its them, but will probably replace them tomorrow.

thanks

 

[PA318Guy]

Yes the governor shaft does wear and causes some surging (experience from a 216). I guess I would ask how long this has been happening? Did this just start doing this or has it been progressively getting worse? Have you tried cleaning the carb and adjusting it?

 

[teamsawbelly]

I just bought the tractor at the end of September and I'm sure it was doing it before I bought the machine but I have no Idea for how long. The engine does smoke especially on start-up and under load.

No I haven't cleaned the carb or adjusted it. Should that be my next step?
What are the factory settings on the air mixture screw and the idle screw?

 

[PA318Guy]

OK, I no longer have my 200 series tractors and I (crying in my beer here!) gave the manuals with the tractors so I don't have the settings to give you! You'll have to get one of the other members to help you out there. I do know that I was able to correct the surging issue some on the 216 by adjusting the carb. But shortly after it had a piston break and I sold it as "not running". I never solved the loose shaft issue but it was evident on the 216 the governor shaft was loose.

 

[BobForapples]

The engine does smoke especially on start-up and under load.

No I haven't cleaned the carb or adjusted it. Should that be my next step?
What are the factory settings on the air mixture screw and the idle screw?

How much smoke? Is it white? Besides the carb cleaning and adjustment, there is a slim chance some of the surging is caused by the compression loss as the engine heats up..... pointing to rings or bore.

 

[teamsawbelly]

The smoke is white.
and it is on start up and it happens under-load and for the first few minutes... i.e. pretty much all the time, BUT the engine has great power and no knocking. I watch the oil level carefully. I'm sure the engine needs rings etc, but i'm not willing to do that just yet.

I bought the tractor a month ago for a steal so I have nothing to lose. I just want to stick to easy stuff while I use it and decide how much it is worth to me to fix.

 

[Mike Milburn]

My Bolens with a 17H Kohler did that when I first picked it up, it was the adjustment from carb to governor.
If I rememeber correctly and that's a bit if (can't find my notes) you loosened the clamp on the arm to the governor shaft and moved the carb full open and rotated the shaft clockwise and then tightened it up. See if you can find some difinitive info on the adjustment procedure as I'm not 100% sure unfortunately.
Once I found the right hole in the arm, which was one higher than stock, it worked like a top......Mike

 

[teamsawbelly]

Thanks, I'll give the governor adjustment a try.

any ideas why it doesn't want to throttle up, just wants to die.


Also, I found If i run it 1/2 choke the surging stops. does that give any clue to problem?

 

[rscurtis]

If that's the case, it's running too lean. The main fuel adjustment is the screw on top of the carburetor. Turn it counterclockwise a quarter of a turn and see if that helps. If not, go another quarter. If you don't get any response from that, then gently turn the screw clockwise until it stops, making note of the # of turns. Now, remove it and make sure the metering holes and central passage are clean. Reinstall it and return it to its original setting.

The screw going in at an angle is the idle adjustment, if it idles OK, I'd leave that alone.

If after cleaning the needle it runs too rich, start turning it clockwise until the engine begins to falter (like it is now), and then back it out a quarter turn at a time just enough to get rid of the hesitation.

 

[teamsawbelly]

Thanks, I will try that hopefully tonight.

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

try putting a bushing between the gov. arm and the butterfly for the throttle on the carb.

 

[teamsawbelly]

Update on the surging and won't throttle up (wants to die).
New spark plug
New Air filter
New Fuel Filter
Turned the Air mixture screw out 1 full turn. This seemed to help a little but still does not keep it from surging. the throttle up was better but not as it should be.

The tractor is usable just not "right".
Is a carb clean-out aka dip my next step?

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

did you make sure that the linkage is tight and the springs arent loosing their mo-jo?

 

[PA318Guy]

I would clean the carb and if you haven't taken the gas tank off and drained it and cleaned out the drain on the valve at the bottom I suggest you do that! You're clue about needing "half throttle" sounds like it's starving for fuel! Might be a partially clogged fuel flow.

 

[gravely-power]

All your settings and free manuals can be found here:http://www.kohlerengines.com/manuals/landing.htm.
All shafts have to be tight. All linkages have to be tight. Points have to be adjusted per specs. And make sure there are no intake leaks on the carb gaskets, this is extremely critical. Also the float level has to be set correctly. All this can be found for free at the site I have posted. Good luck.

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

my grandpa's 212 surges everywhere, but thats because the governor arm to the carb is weak and moves by itself. thats when you check springs and bushings

 

[FORD_LGT_165]

Timing, Gov, and or carb

Adjust them to specs

2 1/2 turns Low jet and 3 1/4 turns High jet

Then its either a 1/4 inch each way no more...

Read the manual...