Practical Hand Book of Gas, Oil and Steam Engines / Stationary, Marine, Traction; Gas Burners, Oil Burners, Etc.; Farm, Traction, Automobile, Locomotive; A simple, practical and comprehensive book on the construction, operation and repair of all kinds of engines. Dealing with the various parts in detail and the various types of engines and also the use of different kinds of fuel.

by John B. Rathbun

(131) Governor Troubles.

Hit and miss governor troubles may be due to the following defects:

BINDING GOVERNOR COLLAR, stuck with dirt or gummy oil, will cause the engine to die under load, and overspeed on light load.

INLET VALVE LOCK may be worn in such a manner as to prevent the valve from seating during the idle strokes and lose fuel, or cause overspeeding.

DETENT LEVER KNIFE EDGE may be worn, or rounded off, so that the exhaust valve is not held open for the idle stroke. This defect will cause overspeeding.

SPEED CHANGING LEVER may work loose and cause the speed to vary erratically.

GOVERNOR WEIGHTS may be stuck on pins with dirt or gummy oil causing engine to overspeed.

LOST MOTION IN GOVERNOR GEAR such as loose pins and bushings, worn rollers, or bearing surfaces will cause the speed to vary continuously. LOST MOTION on portable engines will cause the engine to run normally in one position, and overspeed in another.

WEAK OR BROKEN SPRINGS ON GOVERNOR will cause engine to lose speed or die down altogether. Springs may be stiffened by pulling out the coils.

DRY GOVERNOR BEARINGS or joints will cause binding and cause governor to act sluggishly. Use plenty of lubricant.

WORN ROLLERS may cause a speed variation. Keep the governor well oiled, clean, and free from gum.

If the knife edges are allowed to slip over one another, much wear is caused on the cams and if allowed to continue, sooner or later the engine will run away. Springs will weaken with age and hard usage. With belt driven governors see that the belt is tight and that the lacing is in good condition for a slack belt may allow the engine to overspeed.

I advise that every purchaser of an agricultural motor read his instruction book with care, that is, locate all oil holes and note the action and purpose of every part. If in doubt as to any part of its use write the manufacturer of the motor.