3235 Low Power

[TexasTom]

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

[J-Mech]

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.

[DoubleO7]

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

Many other makers out there.

[jdrury]

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

[TexasTom]

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

[FrankF3]

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.

[stlmowerguy]

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.

[stlmowerguy]

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.

[TexasTom]

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 ?

[stlmowerguy]

Linkage sounds out of adjustment.