governor issue

captblue1 · #1 07-09-2011, 08:23 PM

I'm having an issue with the governor. This is the first time the cub has run in10 years. I rebuilt carb and replaced points, condenser and cool. it started today and the governor was hunting. I adjusted timing and restated the engine. Now I'm not sure if was the very next restart or a couple restarts later but the engine was running full rpm . The their was only half open. I did notice that the stop pin was loose. It is a philips head screw right above the crossshaft. I ran out of time so I didn't check anything. Anyone have some insight? Could the screw being loose do this or is it the gear inside? It is a12 horse engin in a 100. Thanks

_DX3_ · #2 07-09-2011, 08:39 PM

The gear is inside. The stop pin does hold the gear in place. You might loosen the governor bracket and make sure the cross shaft does not spin 360 degrees. If it does the you will need a new cross shaft. This is what controls the speed. It wouldn't hurt to re adjust the governor arm anyway. Do you have the service manual for your kohler motor and service manual for you cub? If not you can find them in our Garden Tractor Library. Downloadable, or you can order a hard back version from our sponsor Binder Books located up at the top of the page.

captblue1 · #3 07-09-2011, 09:02 PM

So the stop pin holds the governor gear? Is it possible that the gear isnt connected to the stop pin and fell loose inside? If the shaft spins 360, than either theshaft is broken or the tab on the shaft isnt hitting the gear? Yes i have read both manuals but there isnt a very good picture of the assembly.

_DX3_ · #4 07-09-2011, 09:30 PM

[QUOTE=captblue1;82002]So the stop pin holds the governor gear? Is it possible that the gear isnt connected to the stop pin and fell loose inside? If the shaft spins 360, than either theshaft is broken or the tab on the shaft isnt hitting the gear? Yes i have read both manuals but there isnt a very good picture of the assembly.[/QUOTE

How far out was the screw? And I doubt the gear fell off, you would probably have known about it if it did.

That is correct with the cross shaft. These are actually the big problem makers for the Governor not work and letting the motor over rev and blowing. Most of the failures are the metal arm falling off. They weren't welded well enough from the factory and sometimes have a tendency to break of simply fall off of the shaft. I think I have some pictures from my recent rebuild of my 128. I'll try to post a couple so you can get a good idea of what it looks like from the inside of the engine.

_DX3_ · #5 07-09-2011, 09:36 PM

As you can see, if the arm broke or fell off, nothing is controlling the gear. Dont' ask me how that screw holds the gear in, because for the life of me I can't remember but it does. lol. I hope these pics might help you in some way.

Governor Gear and cross shaft arm:

Cross Shaft:

captblue1 · #6 07-09-2011, 09:59 PM

Thanks that is much clearer now. I can see the gear and shaft by removing the oil pan? Any other way to see it without removing the engine? The screw was very loose. I noticed the screw rattling around like it was almost ready to fall out.

_DX3_ · #7 07-09-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captblue1

Thanks that is much clearer now. I can see the gear and shaft by removing the oil pan? Any other way to see it without removing the engine? The screw was very loose. I noticed the screw rattling around like it was almost ready to fall out.

You might be able to see it with a good flashlight. But, in order to replace any of the governor parts everything has to come out. They are the last parts to remove and the very first to go in.

It is possible that with the screw being that loose it let the gear move and the cross shaft couldn't control it. If you got it tightened up, you might try starting it, but be ready to shut it down fast it if goes out of control. The question is, was the gear in the right place for the stop screw to hold it when you tightened it?

captblue1 · #8 07-09-2011, 10:18 PM

Thank you for your help

Bathtub · #9 09-22-2011, 05:21 PM

This message is for _DX3_
Bushing nut on my 1450 governor backed out and engine revved as you would expect. I pushed it back in and tightened it but it still over revved. I went through the governor arm adjustment procedure but no help. Xshaft does not rotate 360. I removed the stop pin and the cam gear inspection plate below the governor Xshaft and bushing nut (behind the breaker point cover) and I could see the governor gear up against the forward face of the camshaft gear. Using a feeler gauge I was able to push the governor gear forward, away from the cam gear. I inserted the stop pin and put the bushing nut on the Xshaft and now seem to have the correct rotational "play" on the Xshaft you would expect when making the governor arm adjustment. However, after looking at your photos I'm not sure I should have pushed the gear forward. Where should the governor gear sit in relation to the cam gear? What drives the governor gear? Should it mesh with the cam gear? Or? I'm hoping I can get through this without tearing down the engine because it runs so well aside from the governor problem. Happy to be retired and have the time to fiddle with this. I'm new at this so I hope you get this message since it appears you have the experience I need. Thanks.

_DX3_ · #10 09-22-2011, 05:31 PM

Bathtub,

The Governor gear meshes with the Cam gear. You need to get back in there and mesh the two together, then insert the stop pin and make sure the Gov. gear does not move away from the cam gear. If it meshes and everything looks good, reset your Gov. arm adjustment and give it a try being ready to shut down if the RPM's run away from you. Obviously the Xshaft is fine since it won't turn 360 degrees. That is usually the number one reason for Governor malfunctions. I hope this helps some. I am sure some of the other guys will chime in too with some good ideas.