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How to Adjust the Governor & Carburetor
How to Adjust the Governor & Carburetor. Most small engines such as lawn mowers or tillers for the garden run on a combination of a carburetor and a governor working together to control the speed of the engine as well as the mixture of air and gasoline. The carburetor mixes the fuel and air from the inlet on the way to the engine manifold and can...
Most small engines such as lawn mowers or tillers for the garden run on a combination of a carburetor and a governor working together to control the speed of the engine as well as the mixture of air and gasoline. The carburetor mixes the fuel and air from the inlet on the way to the engine manifold and can be adjusted to set the idling speed of the engine, while the governor controls the speed of the engine as the load on the engine changes. Not all engines use both of them at the same time, but both may need adjusting from time to time over the life of an engine.
Things You'll Need
Screwdriver
Wrench set
Turn on the engine and keep it running for 10 or 15 minutes until it reaches its normal operating temperature before adjusting the carburetor idling speed. Turn off the engine once it has reached optimal temperature and remove the filter cover as well as the base and filter to expose the carburetor itself. Find the idle adjustment screw. Look for a spring-loaded hinge attached to the throttle cable. Start the engine and adjust the screw in the direction you require, depending on whether you need the engine to run faster or slower.
Wait at least 30 seconds between each adjustment until it idles at the speed you want. Turn off the engine and replace the filter and cover of the carburetor. Keep the idle of the engine as low as possible to keep the engine running, as idling too high will lead to wasted gas.
Adjust the governor of the engine only if it has somehow stopped adjusting itself automatically. Refer to the owner's manual for the specific engine you are working with, as there is no such thing as a universal adjustment to control the governor of an engine and turning it up too high can cause the engine to blow up. Locate the governor via your owner's manual and manually adjust it by fitting a wrench over the end of the adjustment nut and turning it in the appropriate direction. Remember to only adjust the governor after you have adjusted the carburetor, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
