Governor on 11HP B&S
#1
Governor on 11HP B&S
I have an old (bought used) John Deere garden tractor that has the 11 hp B&S engine. I believe the govenor does not work properly. I have to run it on Fast all of the time and when there is a load, it will still cut and go but it doesn't go as fast as it should.
Where is the governor on this engine? The previous owner says he was told the engine had to be removed from the mower before the governor can be repaired. Is this true? Is it an easy fix? Any websites with instructions, part #'s, etc?
Thanks
Where is the governor on this engine? The previous owner says he was told the engine had to be removed from the mower before the governor can be repaired. Is this true? Is it an easy fix? Any websites with instructions, part #'s, etc?
Thanks
#2
Governor on 11HP B&S
The way your engine is rigged up it pushes the choke closed just after wide open throtttle. If you're haveing to hold it to full throttle for it to run.Chances are it's your carburetor thats stoped up,not anything wrong with the governor.
But to answer your qustion,the governor shaft sticks out of the enginge just in front of the carburetor.And yes the governor is adjustable,but very tricky so less you can get someone that really knows how to adjust it STAY AWAY!I have seen people blow their engines up tenkering with thhe governor.
But to answer your qustion,the governor shaft sticks out of the enginge just in front of the carburetor.And yes the governor is adjustable,but very tricky so less you can get someone that really knows how to adjust it STAY AWAY!I have seen people blow their engines up tenkering with thhe governor.
Last edited by repair_guy; 03-20-05 at 06:43 PM.
#3
Thanks for responding. I guess I didn't explain the situation properly. Let me try again.
I do not have to have the the engine on fast to keep it running, it has to be on fast to cut grass and move at a slow pace. I would assume that the governor would allow the engine to speed up under load when necessary but still not allow it to exceed the max rpm's.
Basically for example, I thought if I had the engine set halfway between slow and fast that I should be able to move and cut grass and the govenor would keep the engine rpm's the same. However, what actually happens is that the engine slows down (bogs down) due to the load. Same happens on fast but I can move and cut grass although slow. I would think that running on fast all of the time would not be necessary.
I don't want a racing mower. I just want it to perform better.
Thanks also for the point that messing with the governor may damage the engine and adjustment takes an expert. Does my problem sound like a governor problem? Would it be an easy fix for an expert? Costly repair?
I do not have to have the the engine on fast to keep it running, it has to be on fast to cut grass and move at a slow pace. I would assume that the governor would allow the engine to speed up under load when necessary but still not allow it to exceed the max rpm's.
Basically for example, I thought if I had the engine set halfway between slow and fast that I should be able to move and cut grass and the govenor would keep the engine rpm's the same. However, what actually happens is that the engine slows down (bogs down) due to the load. Same happens on fast but I can move and cut grass although slow. I would think that running on fast all of the time would not be necessary.
I don't want a racing mower. I just want it to perform better.
Thanks also for the point that messing with the governor may damage the engine and adjustment takes an expert. Does my problem sound like a governor problem? Would it be an easy fix for an expert? Costly repair?
#4
How slow does the engine run when the blades are on? The engine should always run at full speed when it is under a load. It depends on air movement from the cooling fan to keep it cool. If it is running too slowly, it is not getting the air movement needed to cool properly.
If the RPMs are dropping considerably, it may need an adjustment or have a linkage problem. Governors are pre-set at the factory and never should need adjustment, but maybe someone already messed with it at some point in time? To adjust it, loosen the governor arm clamp bolt, hold the throttle all the way open, and use a screwdriver to turn the governor shaft clockwise until it stops and hole it there while you then tighten the clamp bolt.
You may just need a fuel mixture adjustment. If you have a screw on the bottom of the carburetor bowl, try backing it out 1/4 turn or so and see if that helps.
If the RPMs are dropping considerably, it may need an adjustment or have a linkage problem. Governors are pre-set at the factory and never should need adjustment, but maybe someone already messed with it at some point in time? To adjust it, loosen the governor arm clamp bolt, hold the throttle all the way open, and use a screwdriver to turn the governor shaft clockwise until it stops and hole it there while you then tighten the clamp bolt.
You may just need a fuel mixture adjustment. If you have a screw on the bottom of the carburetor bowl, try backing it out 1/4 turn or so and see if that helps.
#5
I don't have a tach so I'm not sure what the rpm's are. I adjusted the screw on the bottom of the carb (about 1/4 - 1/2 turn) and the rpm's increased a little based on the sound. The engine now runs smoother when the throttle is moved to slow too.
I don't have the opportunity to actually cut grass and put it under a load right now but maybe this is all it needed.
"The engine should always run at full speed when it is under a load. It depends on air movement from the cooling fan to keep it cool. If it is running too slowly, it is not getting the air movement needed to cool properly."
Does this mean I should always have the throttle on "fast"?
Thanks
I don't have the opportunity to actually cut grass and put it under a load right now but maybe this is all it needed.
"The engine should always run at full speed when it is under a load. It depends on air movement from the cooling fan to keep it cool. If it is running too slowly, it is not getting the air movement needed to cool properly."
Does this mean I should always have the throttle on "fast"?
Thanks
#6
Governor on 11HP B&S
Sorry I got it wrong.
Have you tried adjusting the carb?(1-1/2 turns from seat)to start with and work from there.A dirty air filter will bring engine RPM's down too.Low engine compression could cause this,and also improper valve clearence.A leaking head gasket could be it.Have you checked the belts? Does your JD have a variable speed pulley on the transmisson belt?if so that may not be turning.
It's kinda hard to dignose some problems,especially when so far away.But I hope that I've given you some ideas to start thinking on. And yes if taken to a shop somewhere it could be reather costly.Some things are just(as I call them "location things"you have to be there,to see or hear what the mower is saying.
GOOD LUCK on repairs!!!maybe someone else on the forum can help you better than I.
Have you tried adjusting the carb?(1-1/2 turns from seat)to start with and work from there.A dirty air filter will bring engine RPM's down too.Low engine compression could cause this,and also improper valve clearence.A leaking head gasket could be it.Have you checked the belts? Does your JD have a variable speed pulley on the transmisson belt?if so that may not be turning.
It's kinda hard to dignose some problems,especially when so far away.But I hope that I've given you some ideas to start thinking on. And yes if taken to a shop somewhere it could be reather costly.Some things are just(as I call them "location things"you have to be there,to see or hear what the mower is saying.
GOOD LUCK on repairs!!!maybe someone else on the forum can help you better than I.
#7
"Does this mean I should always have the throttle on "fast"? "
Yes, when the engine is under a load. If it is in park, no baldes on, just running, then you can slow it down.
Lots of people like to run the engine at less than full throttle. It still has to do the same job, but now it has to struggle more (work harder) to complete that job, because it is not running at it's full potential. And on top of that, it's not getting proper cooling. So it's working harder, generating more heat than usual because of the amount of work it is trying to accomplish at a lower speed, and it's not cooling well. That can shorten the life of an engine considerably. Run full throttle, and shift to a lower gear if you're going too fast.
Yes, when the engine is under a load. If it is in park, no baldes on, just running, then you can slow it down.
Lots of people like to run the engine at less than full throttle. It still has to do the same job, but now it has to struggle more (work harder) to complete that job, because it is not running at it's full potential. And on top of that, it's not getting proper cooling. So it's working harder, generating more heat than usual because of the amount of work it is trying to accomplish at a lower speed, and it's not cooling well. That can shorten the life of an engine considerably. Run full throttle, and shift to a lower gear if you're going too fast.