Recent content by txmowman

An engine with 1200 hours that doesn’t smoke or burn oil, has likely been well taken care of. I wouldn’t suspect is as being worn out. Based on your comments, there could be a restriction in the muffler. Or, my attention would turn to the governor. It may have some wear to a component...

The carburetor shaft being worn would likely cause enough of an air leak for the need to apply full choke to enrichen the air/fuel mixture.

First of all, it is normal to have to choke an engine, even hot, with a carburetor that has a fuel solenoid. Has this engine ever had any valve maintenance? Meaning, cleaning the valves, reaming the guides, decarboning, etc.

Yes, the governor spring can stay installed while adjusting. The governor isn't pulling back; it is pushing out. It is the governor spring that is pulling back against the centrifugal force of the governor. If the spring is too strong, this will reduce the RPMs. If the engine is steady at 3450...

A weak governor spring, damaged linkage or control panel, something in the wrong location. If it’s none of that, live with 3550. Governed engine don’t maintain a consistent rpm anyway, 50 rpm isn’t even noticeable.

Don’t waste your time. If the engine otherwise runs smoothly, valve lash will not increase rpm.

Exceeding 3600 rpm will not cause internal engine damage. You can run the engine without the governor and will float the valves at around 4200. Ask anyone racing lawnmowers. They modify the valve train and are running 6000-7000rpm easily with stock internal components. These engines are very...

The high idle spec for this engine is 3600 +/- 100. I am thinking that when you are adjusting the governor, you are using the throttle control lever to achieve WOT. Try this: Loosen the black left-hand bolt in the center of the governor link Have someone hold the throttle shaft in the WOT...

What is the spec code of your FS651V? It may have a lower governed high idle spec. Having the throttle at the rabbit position is not WOT. The only time a governed engine achieves WOT is when the engine is under full load.

It means that there is a failed diode in one coil. If for example, the number one coil has a failed diode, coil number 2 will not have spark. The diode, being a one-way check valve, if failed will allow the opposite coil to find a path to ground through the failed diode. In your example, if...

Sorry, this is false. A failed diode on one coil would cause the opposite coil to show as failed. Two failed diodes would cause the coils to not be able to be grounded through the key switch.

It is not likely to loose both ignition coils at once. If one is lost the engine would continue to run unless potentially it is under heavy load. My thought is either losing power to the fuel solenoid or it is something in the safety system on the mower. Still, the surge when disengaging the PTO...

When the engine is surging, slowly apply the choke. If the engine begins to smooth out then I would start with cleaning the card. There is likely no reason to replace the carb if the engine otherwise runs well.