Kt725-3020 Power/govenor issues

Bildo McCreedy

Forum Newbie
Ok so problem started after I mowed a bit of wet grass. I started losing power at first when blades were on or off. It kind of sounds like surging? Maybe. I replaced the carburetor, fuel pump, and spark plugs. Then it started only losing power when the blades are on. I just replaced the govenor spring and it sounded different. I thought it was better because when I had the blades in it cut slightly better. Now it was dusk so slightly dark and when I got off of the mower the exhaust was literally glowing. Like the whole thing. Im think maybe I either installed the carb wrong and its losing air or fuel. Or I need to adjust the govenor. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
 
Ok so problem started after I mowed a bit of wet grass. I started losing power at first when blades were on or off. It kind of sounds like surging? Maybe. I replaced the carburetor, fuel pump, and spark plugs. Then it started only losing power when the blades are on. I just replaced the govenor spring and it sounded different. I thought it was better because when I had the blades in it cut slightly better. Now it was dusk so slightly dark and when I got off of the mower the exhaust was literally glowing. Like the whole thing. Im think maybe I either installed the carb wrong and its losing air or fuel. Or I need to adjust the govenor. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Glowing muffler means you are running super lean (not getting enough fuel). Do NOT run your machine like this until you figure out the problem. Same advice on this one. Thoroughly clean OEM carburetor and replace. Check all intake gaskets for air leaks. Go from there.
 
Glowing muffler means you are running super lean (not getting enough fuel). Do NOT run your machine like this until you figure out the problem. Same advice on this one. Thoroughly clean OEM carburetor and replace. Check all intake gaskets for air leaks. Go from there.
Glowing muffler that is noticeable after dusk is considered normal by Kohler.
 
Glowing muffler means you are running super lean (not getting enough fuel). Do NOT run your machine like this until you figure out the problem. Same advice on this one. Thoroughly clean OEM carburetor and replace. Check all intake gaskets for air leaks. Go from there.
So i should take the after-market carb off? When I originally put the new carb on it seemed to run fine. Although I didnt look at muffler. It wasnt until I put a new oem govener spring on that I noticed that.
 
So i should take the after-market carb off? When I originally put the new carb on it seemed to run fine. Although I didnt look at muffler. It wasnt until I put a new oem govener spring on that I noticed that.

It is ALWAYS better to do everything within reason to keep the original equipment manufacturer carburetor vs an aftermarket carburetor. Pull the spark plugs after running the engine a little and look at them. Are they white indicating a lean fuel condition? Check for are leaks also. Check condition of the intake gaskets.
 
The spark plugs should have a faint tan appearance after some extended running time under load.

A slight (faint) glow of the exhaust pipe near the heads is not unusual to see at night, especially just after running hard under load. If they are glowing bright orange, it is running too lean or has an intake air leak effecting the carburetor pulling in enough fuel.

On newer mowers, even the stock carburetors tend to run a little lean thanks to EPA regulations.

Additional note: The governor has only one job and that is to limit the engine maximum RPM. Do not mess with the linkage adjustment because it will cause more problems than it cures.

The carburetor is what controls air/fuel mixture and amounts.
 
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You know it takes a ton more power to cut wet grass? And with dull blades doesn't help the recipe either. The denser or wider the grass blade the tougher it is to cut.
 
As Auto Docs said, definitely check plug color.

Big 0-turns consume a ton of power. Thin walled mufflers in low light, might be normal.

Post pictures of your plugs here.
 
Verify that both cylinders are running. Sounds like you may be running on only one cylinder. Remove the spark plug wire from one plug, put a spare plug in it, place it against a piece of metal on the engine, and try to crank it. Repeat for other cylinder.
 
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