185 hydro problem

ldfestgst · Mar 27, 2012

My 22 year old 185 hydro is running unevenly. The engine goes fast, slow, fast slow, etc. It's been doing this for some time, but it's getting worse. Any thoughts as to the problem?

beenthere · Mar 27, 2012

:welcome:
What is the tune-up history?

RaisedByWolves · Mar 29, 2012

My first suggestion would be to clean the carb and go from there.

Also drain the tank and add fresh fuel, the ethanol in today's fuel causes all kinds of problems.

Yellowfever440 · Mar 29, 2012

Governor could be wearing out and not smoothing the throttle steady, when it's running look at the governor rod that connects to the carb linkage, when it runs like that it will bounce back and forth. Put a screwdriver or your finger on it and if it evens out then the gears and weights inside are wearing out.

ldfestgst · Mar 30, 2012

After trying different things, I believe you may be right. What does the governor look like, where is it? Can it be easily replaced?

Yellowfever440 · Mar 30, 2012

Well usually the governor is n internal part that the motor has to be removed and split apart. Under or around the carbeurator there should be a small round shaft sticking out of the engine block and their will be a piece of metal, usually stamped steel Arm that is clamped to the small shaft. At the end opposite of the small shaft their should be a small piece of round linkage and possibly a spring that goes to the carb control linkage. The governor adjusts engine rpm for light and heavy loads so the engine doesn't die when a load is applied. So when you engage your mower deck it adjusts the carb for more fuel, and in turn more power to stay running. If the mower is running and the engine is surging, put the park brake on and open the hood and look around the carb, you will see the governor shaft that comes through the engine block around the carb area. The stamped steel arm that attaches the governor shaft to the linkage will be surging back and forth, put your finger on it, if you want to use a screwdriver you can, and hold it stills and see what the engine does. If it stops surging and runs smooth the weights inside the engine are coming apart. If it dies then Try it again and hold it in a different position, if it runs then the governor is prolly bad. If you try another position and it still dies you might have a different problem.

ldfestgst · Mar 31, 2012

Thanks for all your help.

Yellowfever440 · Mar 31, 2012

Did you figure out your problem?

ldfestgst · Apr 1, 2012

I did a cleaning of the carberator and that made an improvement, but I think the governor may still be the main problem. I'm not ready to tackle a project of splitting apart the engine to get at the governor. It is useable as is now though. Thank You very much.

Acehardly · Apr 2, 2012

Your carb is probably still a little dirty. put some Seafoam in your fuel tank and keep running it. I would not crack open the engine until you rule out the carb altogether.
JMO

Tony