3235 Low Power
 

3235 bogs down even in low grass.
I replaced deck belt and pto belts, blades, and lubed deck, just to make sure the deck was OK

the rpm before the blades are engaged seems like it might be a little low.
I don't have tools to measure the rpm

the governor looks like its working.
the engine seem to run smooth enough, no smoke

do I really need to check compression to see if the engine is shot ?

could this be somthng simple like fuel filter or ignition ?

what would you all suggest I start checking ??

thanks much

Engine is not likely wore out. Compression check unnecessary.

Yes, could be fuel filter or even a plugged up carb. Could need a tune up or have a plugged air cleaner. Not sure why you would replace belts and blades for a power problem.... that was a waste of time and money.

If you don't have tools to check RPM, either buy them, or just load it up and take it somewhere. You need to be able to check that.

Standard answers: tune it up, flush and clean the carb, fuel tank, replace the fuel filter.

get a hand held no contact digital tach from various sources.
Harbor freight sells one for $40

Many other makers out there.

Check the plugs
 

I had a similar issue on my 3208. turns out one of my plugs wasn't firing. I had been running (remarkably well) on one cylinder. After replacing a coil, I was good to go!

-JOTS

took the advise and ordered a tiny tach, should arrive this afternoon.

replaced air filter, did not help
will replace fuel filter today

I am waiting to see what the no load rpm is at full throttle and to see how much if any it drops under mower load.

so if the rpm under no load is ok and if rpm stays ok under load even while the mower blades slow to a crawl, then I must have a pto issue correct ? my pto belts even after I just replaced them seem loose to me

will post back after the tach arrives

I don't know if this applies or not, my father was having a similar problem when snowblowing. The engine would slow right down and snow coming out would barely clear the chute. I found the arm on the governor shaft had loosened up and the arm was moving independently of the shaft. readjusting the governor to specs and tightening the bolt on the arm, restored proper operation and it ran for several more years.

New to this forum, but not mowers.

If rpm's are down without the blades moving that is where to start troubleshooting first. Tach will help tell you what the rpms are.

If you think it isn't running up to speed the quick and easy test is to pull 1 spark plug wire at a time. If you hear a change then you know that cylinder if firing. If no change, then you have an issue on that cylinder. From there it could be many causes, but at least that would get you going in a direction.

Your first line in the first post.....bogs down even when in low grass.

Is it the blades that bog down or the engine?

if it's engine, see the other comments.
If it's blades, it sounds like a vacuum leak (hose, connector, check valve, resivour or solendoid)

Tune up's usually never hurt to do and are a cheap thing, I would start with the simpler items first.

hooked up the tiny tach

full throttle RPM without deck engaged = 3020
full throttle rpm with mower engaged over concrete = 2960

mower engaged with medium grass = rpm drops as low as 1900 and blades pretty much stop spinning

I checked throttle cable and tightened it, raised rpm just slightly to the above numbers

also I pushed on governor lever for a second and rpm will go up to 3800 or more, so why is it only 3020 ? if it can get the fuel to go up to 3800 ?

Linkage sounds out of adjustment.

This link should get you the Kohler CH service manual.

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec..._690_06_EN.pdf

It will explain how to trouble shoot the engine and how to adjust the governor.

it will run a lot faster than 3800 rpm's but not for long that's why they govern them down so they don't explode...I'm not sure what the rpm spec. is on your motor but the k series singles is 3600 max.

I'd set it to run at 3800 RPM no load. It won't hurt it.

Thanks for all the advise everyone

I was able to adjust the governor somewhat and raise the no load rpm up to 4000 or so which I can reduce with throttle cable to 3600 approx.

this has helped a lot and I can now mow low medium grass fairly well

can you tell me how critical the torque setting is on the gov bolt are ?
I don't have a tq wrench and if I get it too tight it seems not to want to rotate

there still seems to be an issue with the pto, seems like if I hit tall grass the belts can slip allowing the blades to slow even as the engine maintains rpm

I have looked at the service manual operators manual and kohler manual and can not find anything on the pto and e-vac system.

anyone know of any info on parts breakdown and adjustments etc ?
I know the vac seems to fully retract when pto is engaged

the "new" pto belts I installed, I have to fess up that they were outside hanging on the shed fo maybe 2 years but they still seemed pretty much like new, hate to spend 50 if they are not the problem

4000 RPM is too fast. Slow it down. Risk scattering the flywheel at 4k

I had trouble adjusting the governor per the manual
it said the turn the cross shaft full clockwise. if I do that the rpm goes ballistic, had to back it off slightly. If I reduce anymore the rp, drops down to 3000 which is where I started.

so if I make sure that I reduce rpm with throttle will I be OK ??
I know I cant run it at 4000

the gov adjustment seems really sensitive

maybe I should add that I adjusted with the engine turned OFF, is that correct ?? If it were running and I moved the gov lever full throttle, the rpm would be way high

Your doing something wrong. You should open the throttle all the way, then rotate the shaft the same direction the lever moved. I don't recall if it's cw or ccw. Then, using the throttle stop, adjust max RPM. This really is very easy.

No, you cannot use the throttle as a means to control RPM. That would defeat the purpose of the governor. Besides, if it's not set right, it's still out of adjustment.... just now the other way. Low RPM won't be controlled correctly.

I looked at the service manual, on pg 28 it says to turn clockwise and use 65 in/lbs TQ and then on pg 81 it says to turn counter clockwise and use 60 in/lbs TQ

beats the heck outta me

I just now got it somewhere in the middle and its about 3500 right now.

but its really hot this afternoon and now the pto belt are totally slipping so tomorrow I'm going to get new ones at the dealer and see what happens

its seems like very little movement on the cross shaft anyway, maybe between 1/4 to 1/2 turn full left and right, does that sound about right ?