Damaged governor?

[Fish]

How we got here is kind of irrelevant, but here's what happened. The mower wasn't starting. The primer bulb was shot, and the tank and carb were full of rust. Since I needed a new tank, I decided to pay just a bit more for the tank/carb assembly, since I didn't feel like rebuilding the carb. I accidentally bent the governor link when I installed the new tank/carb, but didn't realize it until later, when I couldn't get the motor to idle down. Rather than try to guess the correct shape/length of the old link, I bought a new one (only $6). Mind you, at this point the engine ran GREAT, just too high... Well, after installing the new link, I was confident I was finished with the whole thing, but that's when I adjusted the governor incorrectly, because the throttle lever had jumped the stop when I tightened it. That's when I started having the surging/sputtering/misfiring thing. After realizing what I had done, and fixing the throttle lever and readjusting te governor, I still have the problem, even though it's much better. That's why I was wondering if running the motor with the governor way out of adjustment could have actually damaged the governor. But the carb is new and clean, so that's not the problem. All parts are genuine OEM, btw.

Run it!!! As long as it doesn't overspeed!!!! The sputtering and misfiring is probably old gas/crap still in the system.

 

[Fish]

How we got here is kind of irrelevant, but here's what happened. The mower wasn't starting. The primer bulb was shot, and the tank and carb were full of rust. Since I needed a new tank, I decided to pay just a bit more for the tank/carb assembly, since I didn't feel like rebuilding the carb. I accidentally bent the governor link when I installed the new tank/carb, but didn't realize it until later, when I couldn't get the motor to idle down. Rather than try to guess the correct shape/length of the old link, I bought a new one (only $6). Mind you, at this point the engine ran GREAT, just too high... Well, after installing the new link, I was confident I was finished with the whole thing, but that's when I adjusted the governor incorrectly, because the throttle lever had jumped the stop when I tightened it. That's when I started having the surging/sputtering/misfiring thing. After realizing what I had done, and fixing the throttle lever and readjusting te governor, I still have the problem, even though it's much better. That's why I was wondering if running the motor with the governor way out of adjustment could have actually damaged the governor. But the carb is new and clean, so that's not the problem. All parts are genuine OEM, btw.

Never irrelevant, all info is helpful.

 

[lilychef]

Never irrelevant, all info is helpful.

Thanks, Fish - yeah, you're right - I thought that was a stupid comment after I typed it... ha! But what about the funny noise? Kinda of like a squirrel cage noise... I think she may have at least another season in her. I'll try to mow with it and see what happens, I guess.

 

[Rivets]

I wouldn't run it with out checking out the internal governor parts. Will cost you more in time than parts. If you open it up and find everything is fine, you'll just have to pay for a new gasket and oil. You will have the piece of mind that everything is in good shape. If you run it and the governor let's go, you may be replacing the entire engine. It's your choose which route to take.

 

[lilychef]

Never irrelevant, all info is helpful.

BTW - speaking here is the orginal thread -- http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/small...an-pro-pr45y22sb-throttle-governor-issue.html

 

[lilychef]

I wouldn't run it with out checking out the internal governor parts. Will cost you more in time than parts. If you open it up and find everything is fine, you'll just have to pay for a new gasket and oil. You will have the piece of mind that everything is in good shape. If you run it and the governor let's go, you may be replacing the entire engine. It's your choose which route to take.

Thanks, Rivets - Would I just drain the oli and remove the sump to check it out? From below? Can I replace the governor if necessary without taking the entire engine apart? Honestly, it's a 10-yr old machine, and at this point it's taken such a beating that I wouldn't mind replacing the entire mower.... Next season, of course. Ha!

 

[Rivets]

Not that hard. Remove the engine from the unit. Tip it on the top corner so you won't loose all the oil. Remove the sump cover and inspect the governor. The manual I posted should help. Before taking it apart, get a new sump gasket to have on hand. 10 year old Briggs is not that old and could last you many more years if taken care of.

 

[lilychef]

Not that hard. Remove the engine from the unit. Tip it on the top corner so you won't loose all the oil. Remove the sump cover and inspect the governor. The manual I posted should help. Before taking it apart, get a new sump gasket to have on hand. 10 year old Briggs is not that old and could last you many more years if taken care of.

Thanks - I just might check it out - a new governor/slinger assy is only $8.... Where did you post said manual?

 

[Rivets]

Check post #6.

 

[lilychef]

Check post #6.

Shoot, sorry, thought that was from Fish... Thanks. So I can replace the slinger/governor if necessary without tearing the whole engine down?