Kohler Command 23 high idle

[tonyk72]

I cannot seem to adjust the idle on my Kohler 23 to go below 2k RPMS. I cleaned out the carb and am running Seamfoam in the gas. I read an older thread saying a tight drive belt could cause this, but my belt isn't tight at all. Any ideas?

[msafi65]

remove the throttle cable from the arm and check the pivot point for the governor -throttle for binding. dirt ect in the linkage can cause them to hang up. You want the throttle lever to contact the handle at full throttle. Some people feel that is to loose but the lever gets a lot of stress if to tight and breaks out the bottom where the cable attaches . hope some of this helps.

[Tomo]

HI ,
Find a manual and adjust the governor linkage to factory specs . U will need an noncontact infared tacho/inductive tacho [clips onto plug lead ] to verify rpm . Most governors have been adjusted incorrectly at some time . This is a good place to start then look at other linkage/mechanical issues .

tomo

[tonyk72]

I cannot see any obvious signs of binding, but I feel a fair amount of resistance when I push the throttle level to get to 1500 RPMs. As soon as I let go, the throttle lever moves back and the RPMs jump.
I did adjust the governor per the manual, but it felt as if it didn't need any adjustments at all.

[tonyk72]

Adjust governor clockwise vs counterclockwise?

Having never adjusted a governor before, I watched this video to get familiar with the process. This guy is working on a Kohler and says to adjust the cross shaft counter clockwise at 3:35 & 5:00 in the video.
Small Engine Repair: How to Adjust the Mechanical Governor on a Kohler V-Twin Engine - YouTube

I double checked the manual and it says to adjust clockwise. I assume the manual is right. Below is what the manual says to do...Will either process work? Am I missing something?

Governor Adjustments
NOTE: Do not tamper with governor setting. Overspeed is hazardous and could cause personal injury.
Initial Adjustment Procedure
Make this adjustment whenever governor arm is loosened or removed from cross shaft. Adjust as follows:
1. Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor arm and throttle lever on carburetor.
2. Loosen nut holding governor lever to cross shaft.
3. Move governor lever toward carburetor as far as it will go (wide open throttle) and hold in this position.
4. Insert a long thin rod or tool into hole on cross shaft and rotate shaft clockwise (viewed from end) as far as it will
turn, then torque nut to 7.3 N·m (65 in. lb.).

Update
Maybe pics will help me explain...The yellow arrows show the direction of how I adjusted the governor. The cross shaft clockwise only moved just a tiny fraction. After adjusting this way, the throttle is bound up and stuck at wide open. I "double checked" the governor settings on my other Kohler 20 and managed to screw that up somehow. Now I have two high revving motors...What am I doing wrong?
kohler_23.jpg

[tonyk72]

I read more through the service manual hoping it would help clarify things for me and it got me more confused. The reassembly section of the manual says this:
Install External Governor Controls
1. Install governor lever onto governor cross shaft.
2. Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor lever and throttle lever on carburetor.
3. Move governor lever toward carburetor as far as it will go (wide-open throttle) and hold in position.
4. Insert a nail into hole on cross shaft and rotate shaft counterclockwise as far as it will turn, then torque nut to 6.8 N·m (60 in. lb.).

Same manual, different directions to turn the cross shaft.
This is what I'm referring to BTW:

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/sm_24_690_06.pdf

[tonyk72]

The problem ended up being the return spring on the accelerator pump. The spring has a hook on it that I guess is supposed to hook onto the accelerator arm. The hook caught up on the arm and didn't let the throttle plate close. I pulled it off and I am back to normal. My other Kohler motor also has this spring arm "unhooked". I don't foresee any issues running it this way as my other carb has been like this for a while.
Also figured out the governor adjustment goes counter clockwise.