Adjusting rod for governor - Briggs & Stratton Garden

on the rod from the governor lever to the carby there is a long spring
if that spring is not connected at either end to the correct holes , the engine will surge
It is a very fine wire and one end is prone to breaking off

As a rule there is a rod that runs from the governor arm to the carb throttle plate arm, sometimes there is a lot of holes to choose from to put that rod into. For most mowing type settings you push the throttle wide open on the carb and push the governor arm all the way full throttle and connect the rod by using whatever hole will let you or bend the rod to get into a hole. Your throttle cable will be connected to the governor arm with a spring ,this will allow the governor arm to swing back and forth to hold a steady RPM that you selected with your throtle cable. In a non mowing application like generators, the voltage output is regulated by the RPM so it would be adjusted by using a voltmeter and setting the governor to get 120 volts 60 cycle at the plug in, In the USA. Without the make and model it is hard to do more then talk theory but if you're handy this info will help.

check that you have the governor control rod on the butterfly lever of the carby connected correctly
it appears that the lever is at full throttle when you connected it and so the governor cannot pull it back to correct speed
if correct the throttle will be at full speed when stopped but will move with the go lever to slow when you manually push the gov lever

It could also be the spring for the governor.

Try a static governor adjustment first as it simply be out adjustment.

Static Adjustment Procedure
Make this adjustment whenever governor arm is
loosened or removed from cross shaft. Adjust as follows:
1. Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor
arm and throttle lever on carburetor.
2. Loosen nut holding governor lever to cross shaft.
3. Move governor lever toward carburetor as far as it
will go (wide open throttle) and hold in this position.
4. Insert a long thin rod or tool into hole on cross shaft
and rotate shaft clockwise (viewed from end) as far
as it will turn, then torque nut to 6.8 N·m (60 in. lb.).

Try doing a static governor adjustment.

Static Adjustment Procedure
Make this adjustment whenever governor arm is
loosened or removed from cross shaft. Adjust as follows:
1. Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor
arm and throttle lever on carburetor.
2. Loosen nut holding governor lever to cross shaft.
3. Move governor lever toward carburetor as far as it
will go (wide open throttle) and hold in this position.
4. Insert a long thin rod or tool into hole on cross shaft
and rotate shaft clockwise (viewed from end) as far
as it will turn, then torque nut to 6.8 N·m (60 in. lb.).

These can be tricky, but your on the right track. With throttle set on high (engine off), turn governor linkage in the same direction that opens throttle valve in carb wide open, then turn the governor rod in that same direction then tighten bolt on governor arm. This is a static setting. The high and low idle is most likely a dirty carb so assuming the carb is now clean your idle should be better. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/layne_0fccff498c319c32

Ron:

If the mower starts easily and runs well but surges, the problem is not your carburetor! There is an arm coming from the crank case that links to the carburetor throttle arm with a small rod (the rod has a spring around it). That is your throttle governor. Loosen the nut where the governor arm meets the shaft going into the crank case, set the throttle to full throttle and using a pliers, twist the governor arm (coming out of the crank case to full open (twisting the shaft in the same direction that the governor arm would twist it when you go to full throttle). Tighten the governor arm nut without changing that setting... don't let the governor arm move or let the governor arm shaft (coming out of the crank case ) move or the setting will be wrong. ( I know... a third hand would be useful to hold the governor arm to keep it from moving). You may have to make that adjustment a few time to get it right.

there should be a little screw to help adjust your idle try that..counterclockwise to add more idle, clockwise to slow idle..

try empting the feul tank and put fresh feul in with a little dry gas treatment if that dont work try getting some carb cleaner in a spray can start mower and gingerly spay into carb trying not to over flood it keep spraying untill running smooth change CRANKCASE OIL and AIR FILTER.