I have a Craftsman tractor, 917.258553, with a Kohler CV15S engine. Starts then over revs and dies. I can keep running at resonable speed if I put cho

Hello Greg R.,

Governor tension spring broke or came off? Without the engine running, move the throttle to the fast position. Locate the governor arm and see if it has tension on it. If it does not, the spring is not working.

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Thanks again guys, I searched on You Tube and found someone taking apart a Kohler engine and finding the peg from the governor laying in the crankcase. So I bit the bullet and took engine out and apart, found exactly the same! I have ordered a new governor and pin. Waiting on it. I am learning! I think it will be ok after I get repaired. It seems from my very brief limited experiences that governor problems are pretty common. I have this Kohler, and I think a 17 hp Briggs and a pushmower 4.5 hp briggs that all over rev. I don't think the repair is even worth it on the pushmower, The 17 hp has over revved and basically blew up! it will start and overrev and blow oil out the breather tube all over. I got oil all over my jeans standing next to it!

GR:"The 17 hp has over revved and basically blew up! it will start and overrev and blow oil out the breather tube all over."

If it will start and run, then the internals have not blown up yet. For both the Briggs and the push mower, check that the governor linkage is still connected and moves the throttle control open/closed. If disconnected, the engine will rev without control. Many B&S blow a head gasket and force oil out, most times feeding it to the intake. If you have oil splashing, you have something open or lacking an O-ring or gasket. Don't be too ready to condemn as there is value even if just taken apart and sold as replacement parts to repair other engines.
tom

Hi Greg R.,

A governor has only one job and that is to limit the top safe running speed of the engine. Most lawn equipment is limited to a maximum of 3600 RPM (no load).

Governors seldom fail or wear out. Most governors come apart if someone has tried to "adjust" them by loosening the shaft pinch bolt and turning it the wrong direction. Each manufacturer has specific governor initial setup procedures. Once they are set, they are left alone.

Due to so much incorrect (novice) information on the internet, people think that an engine governor corrects problems with an engine surging problem. Engine surging is strictly a carburetor issue.