Looking at a 214 for a Snow plow tractor. Looks in decent shape, but owner sayes it surges when working. Idles fine, does not blow any smoke. He thinks the govenor is out of adjustment. Anyone had this problem with a Kohler engine? Any thoughts or suggestions? price is good, but don't want to buy a problem. Thanks for comments.
- Thread starter jd52ao
- Start date
wore out
Well-known Member
Surging can be a sign of carburetor issues ranging from running a little to lean to float setting to throttle shaft wear, etc..
May not have a "load" adjusting screw?
I would check for throttle shaft and linkage wear, and set the position of the governor arm on it's shaft as detailed in the Service Manual Manual.
Also, for a given engine RPM range the factory hooks the governor spring in a certain hole, and someone may have mucked with that. The manual covers the "sensitivity adjustment" on 6.29 and 6.30, .
Below is a link to download the manual from the official Kohler engines site for free (.pdf). You can view it or print it all or just the pages you need.
Service manual
May not have a "load" adjusting screw?
I would check for throttle shaft and linkage wear, and set the position of the governor arm on it's shaft as detailed in the Service Manual Manual.
Also, for a given engine RPM range the factory hooks the governor spring in a certain hole, and someone may have mucked with that. The manual covers the "sensitivity adjustment" on 6.29 and 6.30, .
Below is a link to download the manual from the official Kohler engines site for free (.pdf). You can view it or print it all or just the pages you need.
Service manual
steve_in_mo
Well-known Member
There is quite a bit of adjustment between the throttle linkage and the governor and the carburetor on those,
but the usual cause of surging is bad carburetor adjustment and/or a need to clean the carburetor.
They are a good tractor, but make sure the rear hubs aren't loose. If you can push the top of the wheel
in and out, it needs hubs. Good used ones are available on the online auction website and from hobbyists.
New ones are expensive.
The other tricky part is the variator - that short handle on the right of the console. If you are driving
the tractor, you should be able to slow down but not stop it with that little lever.
Depending on the year model of 214 you are looking at, the brakes may work with the left pedal, the right pedal, or both.
Ride it and drive it before buying unless it's dirt cheap then just buy it and join WFMachines.com.
I bring a rough one back from the dead every few years, so I've seen a lot of the problem areas.
but the usual cause of surging is bad carburetor adjustment and/or a need to clean the carburetor.
They are a good tractor, but make sure the rear hubs aren't loose. If you can push the top of the wheel
in and out, it needs hubs. Good used ones are available on the online auction website and from hobbyists.
New ones are expensive.
The other tricky part is the variator - that short handle on the right of the console. If you are driving
the tractor, you should be able to slow down but not stop it with that little lever.
Depending on the year model of 214 you are looking at, the brakes may work with the left pedal, the right pedal, or both.
Ride it and drive it before buying unless it's dirt cheap then just buy it and join WFMachines.com.
I bring a rough one back from the dead every few years, so I've seen a lot of the problem areas.
steve_in_mo
Well-known Member
Good catch on the nonadjustable carburetor issue. If one of
those is surging, a chinese replacement is a good option.
those is surging, a chinese replacement is a good option.
Thank you all for the info. Sounds a little more promising than a govenor issue. I have worked on and grew up on the full size
JD 2-cylinders. Have not had to work on the small engines much. Looking only at photos, it looks decent. Ag tires, decent paint not all dented up ect. Only know by looking I guess. Hoping for a REAL reasonable price as he said he did not want to mess with it. Will let you know what happens--- Thanks again for the suggestions
JD 2-cylinders. Have not had to work on the small engines much. Looking only at photos, it looks decent. Ag tires, decent paint not all dented up ect. Only know by looking I guess. Hoping for a REAL reasonable price as he said he did not want to mess with it. Will let you know what happens--- Thanks again for the suggestions
Update on the 214--- Went to see it today, that was a bust! It started, surged, smoked, seeking constantly. Between surges it was blowing oil smoke. When shut off there was smoke curling around the carb gasket. Guy said he could improve the price if I did not want the mower deck. He was then at $250. The carb maybe I could have corrected, but the blowby was not what I want to get into. Guess keep looking. Thanks for the suggestions, at least I have some trouble shooting info to work with in the future.
DMartin9N-2N
Member
Good evening: I was just casually looking through posts, I have a Deere 212. Mine was a good tractor when I bought it, but it is still a lot of work to keep it in good shape. These things are all getting old by now. I think you did the right thing by avoiding several problems, some known and unknown.
Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
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