GT-14 rpms too high

[cafoose 3,360]

On my one GT-14 the idle speed is way too high, I got a hand held tach from amazon and when it read above 4000 I was afraid to open the throttle any more. It shows idle at about 1200 rpm. I tested it on my 520 and it's close to what the tach on the dash reads so I believe it's accurate. I adjusted the governor according to the manual and it's still way too high. The governor shaft rotates counter-clockwise to a stop so I'm assuming it's working properly internally. Here's how I adjusted it.

• Loosen the bolt that clamps the lever to the governor cross-shaft that protrudes out of the engine block.
• With the throttle plate blocked in the wide open position, rotate the cross-shaft counterclockwise until it stops. Now tighten the bolt.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I5LDVC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Edited July 9, 2023 by cafoose

[ebinmaine 69,710]

10 minutes ago, cafoose said:

It shows idle at about 1200 rpm.

 

1200 RPM is the correct idle for a single cylinder Kohler.   

 

 

My Cinnamon Horse C160 idles about 1300. 

1200, it doesn't like.  

 

 

[Handy Don 13,084]

4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

1200 RPM is the correct idle for a single cylinder Kohler.   

 

 

My Cinnamon Horse C160 idles about 1300. 

1200, it doesn't like.  

We have our Kohlers at just about 1100 and they are ok. But the only time they are at that speed is right before we shut ‘em down.

On the other hand, yes, 4000 is too high so something still needs adjusting there.

[cafoose 3,360]

I stopped increasing the speed at around 4000. It's been like that since I got it running. When I got it, it didn't have spark and the electronic ignition was toast. The wiring was a disaster. I converted it to points with battery ignition using parts from a battery ignition Kohler including the ignition switch. It would go higher than 4000 if I pushed it!

[oliver2-44 10,075]

I'm grasping at straws, but I'm wondering if your governor spring is weak?  Can you borrow one from another Kohler  and try it?

 

Also for safety and to protect your engine you could adjust the high speed stop bracket on the carburetor to limit throttle travel to equal 300 rpm.  This doesn't "fix" whatever the reaal issue is, but is kind of a stop gap measure.

[squonk 41,939]

You can limit the top speed with the high - speed adjustment arm

 

 

Edited July 9, 2023 by squonk

[pfrederi 18,180]

Loosen the bolt and rotate the stop (yellow circle) counter clockwise a bit.

 

 

[peter lena 8,970]

@cafoose https://www.amazon.com/Super-Lube-52004-Lightweight-Translucent/dp/B00175VGUA/ref=asc_df_B00175VGUA/?tag=hyprod-  often refer to this for any linkage or cable issue , would also detail in , verify ease of movement points . all to often see a rusty / dry movement point . every related , hand off  of movement has to work . hard ware store $ 6 / 7 . all my cables have this , only a suggestion , pete

[peter lena 8,970]

@cafoose  just to really get people to say , you can,t do that , have also added light pull springs to cable ends /  linkage levers , always assisting to a closing / end stop . think about it , that spring is always assisting , any movement . that defenetly  works . pete

[peter lena 8,970]

@cafoose  most vital to those springs is a light pull assist , have preforated s/s  scrap ends , regularly add a piece to a  related screw / bolt point , then add a spring to connect and experiment , to functional ease . pete

[cafoose 3,360]

@squonk @pfrederi @oliver2-44 Mike, Paul, and Jim. The throttle stop did the trick. Now it idles at 1350 and high speed is around 3200 if I hold the throttle out.