Throttle/Governor Adjustment Help - Kohler Command 20

[Timbo]

I recently purchased a Max IV that has a Kohler Command 20hp engine. There is some serious adjustment needed on the throttle. Currently the engine idles at a high RPM and if you look at the idle set screw on the carb the linkage does not snap back far enough towards the idle screw, it sits at a much higher idle and will not decrease. The maximum amount of throttle also appears to not go to a very high RPM when you squeeze the throttle before it's governed. I am totally lost when looking at this governor, and appreciate any help. I was told by the previous owner that it is a new throttle cable. I have attached a video which shows me pulling the throttle through it's full range. I appreciate any insight.

[dirtdobber]

If it were mine I would do two things. First, I would disconnect the new throttle cable and see if the engine returns to a normal idle and rpm range. In the video the linkage is sitting at wide open throttle which I think is normal when the engine is not running. When the engine cranks, the governor moves the throttle linkage to the idle position. Ultimately, engine speed is a balancing act between the governor weights (inside the engine) and spring tension applied by the throttle cable. That's why there are so many moving parts and springs.

The second thing I would do is just get rid of the governor. Let your throttle position control engine speed just like you do on your car or truck. The danger, though, is that you have to have some sense of engine speed and realize you can overspeed the engine and blow it up.....just the same as if you put your car in park and held the accelerator on the floor.

[Timbo]

Thanks for the info. I am all for disabling the governor. Would the throttle cable run directly to the carb with the governor disabled?

[dirtdobber]

Would the throttle cable run directly to the carb with the governor disabled

More or less, yes. I don't know how easy it is to re-route the throttle cable. You may be able to route it to get a direct connection, or it may be easier to just modify your existing linkage to accomplish the same thing. BUT, be aware you will need to make sure there is a return spring, preferably directly on the carb, to make sure it returns to idle when you let off the throttle. Don't crank it up until you have this return spring in place or you may overspeed and damage the engine.

[ARGOJIM]

Governors (If unmolested) work fine on these engines, remove the cable and find idle then post a picture as I can't see the video and we'll school you. You will need a tach to set idle and full speed.

[ARGOJIM]

Ok video loaded, loosed the screw at the throttle cable pivot, have some one hold the throttle handle closed, you close the throttle at the carb with one hand ( or another(s)) and pull the cable just less than taught being sure the gov linkage is fully back(idle) before tightening the screw. Now give it a try.

[Timbo]

I have adjusted the governor to factory specs per the service manual. The problem I am now having is I can't get to the manuals suggested max RPM's even with the high speed adjusting screw fully screwed in. Right now the Max RPM's I am getting is around 3300 rpms with the high speed screw fully seated. My manual says I should be able to get around 3800. To make matters worse every time I adjust the high speed screw in or out it increases or decreases the idle RPMs. For example at 3300 RPMs on max throttle with the high speed screw fully seated it will not idle back down below 2150 RPMs. The throttle lever on the carb does not return far enough back to be controlled by the carb idle screw, so it's not seated on the carb idle screw until I back out the high speed screw to approximately 2800 Max RPM's which brings the idle down to a minimum of 1600. I read in my manual that the you can adjust the governor lever which has 6 spring positions which can be adjusted out to help increase RPMs. Right now I am on hole 5 which I guess I could move to 6 to see if that would help, but not sure that would solve my high idle issue or get me that much more RPMS. I appreciate any insight. I would like to refrain from bypassing the governor if possible but am definitely lacking power at this point.

[Toys4Me]

First thing I also do is remove or bypass the governor. I hate adjusting them and the throttle response and power gain is nice.

[lt1stroker]

If carb had been rebuilt, check the pump shot assembly. If rod mount installed backwards on squared screw, it would limit movement similar to what you have.