Kohler K301 will not rev over 3,000 RPMs

[Chaser]

Hey all, looking for some opinions. Have a rebuilt kohler 12hp with rebuilt carb. Runs nice and smooth, but will not rev past 3,000 rpms. I can move the governor arm by hand it it revs. All the linkage moves freely. Thoughts?

 

[dodge trucker]

Does it cut out Or is that just the highest it will run at full throttle? Alot of times the equip maker sets max throttle lower than what they should. Sounds like you just need to adjust the hi speed

 

[Chaser]

Its does not cut out or surge or anything like that. Runs great, just wont rev over 3000.
I messed with the idel mixture and high speed, didnt make much difference.

 

[diesel nut]

Sounds like the throttle linkage or governor stop needs to be reset. The idle and high speed screws won't make much of a difference on speed. Pic or two of the throttle and gov. linkage will help get the correct adjustment info

 

[Chaser]

Currently at work. I'll get a pic later if I dont figure ot out. Thanks

 

[Chaser]

Maybe a dumb question, how do you adjust the governor stop?

 

[Propane1]

On my k321 it’s just a set screw with a flat screw driver head. Get your tach hook up, set the throttle to full speed and adjust rpm to manufactures setting. Could be any where from 3400 to 3800 rpm, no load. Thats what I did.

Noel

 

[Lily'sDad]

The Kohler K rebuild manual is a wealth of information on this subject. I believe it is in the manual section.

 

[Chaser]

Where is the high speed adjusting screw? I have 3 Kohlers in the garage and can't find it on any of them?

 

[dodge trucker]

Usually on the shroud by where the cable connects but there are a few styles of linkage among the various Kohler engines.
There's 4 adjustment screws, 2 mixture (low and hi speed) and 2 RPM adjust. 3 of the 4 are on the carb
You want the 1 that isn't

 

[Chaser]

Ah, I thought we were still talking about the governor itself. I tried all of the others, not the problem.

 

[Dougt]

If you can move the gov arm by hand and get it to rev, the problem is in the gov. Most likely not adjusted right or wrong spring. Did you index the arm on the shaft?

 

[Toomanytoys84]

Wrong spring on the governor would be my guess

I seriously have fought more governor issues with small engines than any other issue

 

[diesel nut]

Straight from the Kohler service manual for the variable speed governor:

Yours will probably look a little different depending on what machine it's in but the shaded pieces in the picture are the same and what you need to adjust to get a higher rpm

 

[Propane1]

Some pictures of the one I adjusted on my JD 140. Hard to get a good picture.

Noel

 

[dodge trucker]

I don't think he'll even have to go that far, either the cable needs adjusted or the speed screw on the shroud near where the cable connects