Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Tecumseh Only Runs At Slow Speed
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GAVolunteer
10-23-09, 08:26 PM
Tecumseh OVRM60-21803C engine on Snapper Self Propelled.
Problem: Mower will run only at a very slow speed. When I open the throttle plate just a little, the mower chokes out and quits. Sometimes it backfires. It seems that the gas/air mixture is too rich.
Background: When I got the mower, the governor arm had been bent several times by the previous owner. The mower ran at a very, very high speed. I tried adjusting the arm, but finally bought a new governor arm.
The Tecumseh Technicians Handbook has the following on Governor Adjustment:
“With the engine stopped, loosen the screw holding the governor clamp on the governor lever. Rotate the clamp in a direction that will force the throttle shaft open and allow the governor follower arm to rest on the governor spool. Push the governor lever connected to the throttle to the wide open position. Hold the lever and clamp in this position while tightening the screw.”
I tried to set the arm according to the Handbook. The problem with the directions is that the governor spool and follower arm are inside the engine. I’m not exactly sure how to know when the governor follower arm is resting on the governor spool. Does that mean to rotate the clamp to the left as far as it will go or position the clamp somewhere in the middle? I believe that I rotated the clamp to the left and then pushed the governor lever to the left until the throttle plate was in the wide open position. I then tightened the screw.
The governor arm moves the throttle back and forth. The spring seems to be working properly. I’ve tried adjusting the arm, but cannot seem to find a setting that works.
The carb has an adjustment screw on the bottom of the bowl. Adjusting the screw has not helped. I took apart the carb and cleaned it with Carb Cleaner and compressed air. No difference. I even put another Tecumseh Carb that I know works and does not have any needle adjustments and the mower would only run at a very slow speed. Choked out when throttle plate was opened.
I know I am missing something. Suggestions?
Problem: Mower will run only at a very slow speed. When I open the throttle plate just a little, the mower chokes out and quits. Sometimes it backfires. It seems that the gas/air mixture is too rich.
Background: When I got the mower, the governor arm had been bent several times by the previous owner. The mower ran at a very, very high speed. I tried adjusting the arm, but finally bought a new governor arm.
The Tecumseh Technicians Handbook has the following on Governor Adjustment:
“With the engine stopped, loosen the screw holding the governor clamp on the governor lever. Rotate the clamp in a direction that will force the throttle shaft open and allow the governor follower arm to rest on the governor spool. Push the governor lever connected to the throttle to the wide open position. Hold the lever and clamp in this position while tightening the screw.”
I tried to set the arm according to the Handbook. The problem with the directions is that the governor spool and follower arm are inside the engine. I’m not exactly sure how to know when the governor follower arm is resting on the governor spool. Does that mean to rotate the clamp to the left as far as it will go or position the clamp somewhere in the middle? I believe that I rotated the clamp to the left and then pushed the governor lever to the left until the throttle plate was in the wide open position. I then tightened the screw.
The governor arm moves the throttle back and forth. The spring seems to be working properly. I’ve tried adjusting the arm, but cannot seem to find a setting that works.
The carb has an adjustment screw on the bottom of the bowl. Adjusting the screw has not helped. I took apart the carb and cleaned it with Carb Cleaner and compressed air. No difference. I even put another Tecumseh Carb that I know works and does not have any needle adjustments and the mower would only run at a very slow speed. Choked out when throttle plate was opened.
I know I am missing something. Suggestions?