Honda GCV160 Mower Revving too High

Cherokeekid88

Cherokeekid88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2007
Location
High Point, NC
So my 3 year old Mower started acting up about 3 weeks ago. It would act like it was going to die on me with fresh gas in there. Finally wouldn't start. It would start for 2-3 seconds and then shut off. I took the carb off and cleaned it, put all the gaskets backs in correctly and started up fine and would run but would idle extremely high. After a quick search, I realize it has something to do with the governor. I held the top of the arm in place while I adjusted the bottom end that is attached to the spring. Can see the tension slowly go away, where there is actually slack and it still runs high.

As I was taking the carb off, I am sure I probably hit one or both of the linkages for the governor, but figure I could just readjust to get it running normal.

Any ideas? Will try to take some pics when I go to lunch.
 
If you're certain that you messed with the governor, turn the butterfly in the carb to the wide open position, noting which direction it moves the governor shaft. Loosen the governor arm clamp, push the linkage in the same direction that opens the butterfly, then rotate the governor shaft in that same direction until it stops. You don't have to force it, just gently turn it in that direction. While holding all of that in position, retighten the governor arm clamp. Test for running condition. If it still revs high, you likely put the governor shaft in the incorrect hole on the carburetor linkage (some models have two holes). If that's the case, when it tries to idle itself down, it will actually be revving the engine. The latter solution is where I would start before I try to adjust the governor itself.
 
So, fixed the high rev issue, but now its sputtering and having trouble staying running. I have drained the gas and filled up with new gas, checked spark plug, everything seems ok. Was able to mow the front yard, just didn't sound too good while doing it and cut off on me once.
I did notice that if I tilt the mower towards its left side while running. it sounds almost completely normal... as soon as its flat on the ground again, it starts acting up.
 
Should have just left it idling high. You could have had your yard done in reorder time!
 
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