Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): STX38 Governor, john deere dealer, john deere service

Question
I have a STX38 13hp black deck that was running fine. The other day I was coring the lawn and noticed that the engine sounded like it was racing. I moved the throttle to the idle position but the engine did not slow down. I contacted the local john deere dealer and was told it is the governor that failed. The linkage looks like it is responding to the movement of the throttle, but with no change. Is this something I could fix without taking the engine apart. Is there a how to out there that explains the process of replacing the governor.

Answer
The engine needs to be completely disassembled and the gov gear replaced.  BUT we need to find out WHY the gov gear failed.  Is it because the engine overheated and the gear melted?  or is it because the matching gear created the problem....see where i am going here.

This is quite a job to do and if you dont have the proper tools, i say leave it to the John Deere dealer or an independent dealer that has the experience in this type of repair.

If you still feel you want to to tackle this project, buy yourself the John Deere Service manual it will help you.

If you hire this job out, figure about 3 hours labor tops.  I always figure 1 hour to remove the engine,  1 hour to repair and 1 hour to reinstall the engine.

Good Luck....Not what you wanted to hear I am sure....