Jacollett02 2 #1 Posted December 20, 2022 Howdy everyone. I have a 1998 Toro Wheel Horse 314-8, and I can’t get the idle down for the life of me. Any tips? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,576 #2 Posted December 20, 2022 Have you verified the governor is set correctly? Maybe disconnect the throttle cable and go from there. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 28,794 #3 Posted December 20, 2022 Is this a new issue, or an issue with a new to you tractor? Governor arm may have slipped on the shaft. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 57,963 #4 Posted December 20, 2022 Add some Seafoam fuel treatment to your gas tank at two or three times the recommended ratio for starters to clean up small deposits that could be clogging the idle circuit of your carb. Have you been using gas with ethanol in it? The deposits left by ethanol will tend to accumulate in some of the small passages in your carburetor. Many stations sell real gas without ethanol, it will cost a bit more but prevents these problems. https://www.pure-gas.org/ 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,927 #5 Posted December 20, 2022 I'm not familiar with the Kohler Command engine (that should be on your 1998 tractor), but it probably has non-adjustable fuel metering jets (thank you EPA), and you are only left with an idle adjustment. From the factory it is set to run with the least amount of pollution. With the advent of ethanol introduction to our gasoline, carburetors get clogged easily. The best way to fix your problem is to remove the carburetor and thoroughly clean all of the components, ports and passages. Also, on older engines, the carburetors had a problem with wear at the throttle shaft, allowing too much air to be sucked into the mix. Low end adjustments were futile until the air leak was fixed. So, first check your governor, then clean your carburetor. Next, once fixed, use only e-free gasoline and snake oil remedies should not be necessary. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,091 #6 Posted December 20, 2022 @Jacollett02 while I agree with others above on seafoam , experience tells me to verify and lubricate all every related linkage point , aerosol lubricant , initially makes the rust run out , suggest , SUPER LUBE OIL , small bottle at local h/w store about $ 6 . been using small pull springs on my choke/ throttle cables for years . like this , only a suggestion . rusty linkage does not work , pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacollett02 2 #7 Posted December 20, 2022 (edited) 4 hours ago, Achto said: Is this a new issue, or an issue with a new to you tractor? Governor arm may have slipped on the shaft. I picked it up last month, but I haven’t had a lot of time to work on it Edited December 20, 2022 by Jacollett02 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,334 #8 Posted December 20, 2022 Keep in mind Kohler recommended idle speed is 1250 which sounds pretty fast... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 64,576 #9 Posted December 20, 2022 This is not your exact engine, but should be the same process to check and adjust your governor. Note - make sure your cable is disconnected while doing the adjustment. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
