QuestionQUESTION: Hi,last week I replaced a 6.5 HP Briggs and Stratton Quantum short block in a pressure washer. Everything went smoothly and it fired right up. It was revving kind of fast when I first started it but worked well under load of the pressure washer trigger. When I released the trigger, the RPMS went out of control and was really racing. I immediately shut down the engine and rechecked the static adjustment of the governor and it was correct per the enclosed instructions. I could hear the internal lever hitting against the inside of the case in a clockwise motion with the throttle wide open. I have since tried adjusting the carb tab and governor linkage, and replaced the spring. It helps but it still running too fast. I can manually lower the RPMS by pushing against the governor linkage but when I start it up again after any adjustments, the RPMS go up again. There is no binding whatsoever in the carb or linkage. All gaskets were replaced with no evidence of air or oil leakage. The pressure washer ran fine before the short block replacement. Could it be an internal governor issue? How common are these to fail especially on a brand new engine? The dealer who sold me the short block is of absolutely no help and is referring me to a local repair center. The local repair center is referring me back to the short block dealer. At this point, I will buy whatever is necessary to get this thing right. Thanks in advance, Mike
ANSWER: Hello Mike:
Try Using my Instruction File for Setting the Governor and Let me Know What the Engine Does, Please. The Following is an Instruction File I Made for Making this Adjustment. Any Input is Appreciated. If you Removed/Loosened the Governor Arm to Remove the Carburetor, then Reset the Governor. **To Reset the Governor; Loosen the Governor Arm Bolt and Turn the Governor Shaft Clockwise Until it Stops. Using the Governor Arm Hold the Carburetor to Full Throttle. Now with the Shaft Full Clockwise and the Governor Arm and Carburetor Held at Full Throttle, Tighten the Governor Arm Bolt. If the Engine Still Runs Full Throttle, then Reverse the Rotation of the Governor Shaft, but Still Hold the Carburetor at Full Throttle with the Governor Arm. If it Still Runs at Full Throttle, then Check the Internal Governor.** If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: John, I tried your procedure for setting the governor and did not have any success. I removed the new engine from the pressure washer, removed the engine sump and found the brand new governor in about seven pieces. I removed all the pieces, installed the governor from the old short block and replaced the engine sump gasket. I set the governor per your excellent instructions, and it works great. Never experienced that before with a brand new engine!!! Thank you so much for all your assistance. Keep up the good work, Mike M.
AnswerHello Again Mike:
That is Rare for a New Internal Governor to be Bad. I am Glad you got the Engine Running. Thanks for the Good Words. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks Again.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Respectfully
John
