Small engine repair for Craftsman Generator

[gte718p]

Any small engine experts in the house?

I have a new to me Craftsman 5600w generator Model No 580.325600 powered by a 10hp Briggs and Stratton. I got it free b/c the cylinder was frozen and the carb was clogged solid. A little penetrating oil and a carb rebuild and it starts and runs like a champ. The problem is it runs wide open all the time. It sounds like it is about to take off. I understand that that is not all that unusual for a cheap generator, but it is putting out 200v at the 120v sockets. The governor seems to be frozen. I'm not sure if that is normal or not, but I can't turn it by hand. I also noticed that when I had the air filter off, it is pushing air out the carb on one stroke. All and all something is not right. Anyone have any helpful suggestions? I'll get some pictures tonight.

Thanks

 

[theoldwizard1]

Watch this video

Briggs & Stratton 10hp governor mistake

I know you have a single cylinder, but I think the internal governor system is very similar.

how to repair intek v twin governor

(long ... get interesting around 3:30)

 

[Haveblue]

the guy in that video is an idiot. He calls the crankshaft a camshaft..its useless bs. OP, lets start simple..is there any "play" in your linkages? Ive often seen a loose throttle shaft cause a vacuum leak and cause a runaway condition.

 

[Shade guy]

http://www.perr.com/tip5.html

 

[theoldwizard1]

The problem is it runs wide open all the time. It sounds like it is about to take off.

First, if the throttle is stuck at W.O.T, don't run it ! Those engines do NOT have pressure lube and the crank and/or rod will grenade !

I understand that that is not all that unusual for a cheap generator, but it is putting out 200v at the 120v sockets.

That is not a "cheap" generator. Maybe not "top of the line". but not cheap. If you are getting that much voltage something mechanical or electrical is going to give ... SOON !

The governor seems to be frozen. I'm not sure if that is normal or not, but I can't turn it by hand.

Not good. Remove the governor linkage from the carburetor throttle and see if the throttle moves freely. It could be bound up.

If the throttle is free, you are going to have to split the engine case and find out what is wrong with the governor. I think you will have to remove the generator head from the engine first. There is a trick to this. Check DonyBoy73's channel on YouTube on how to remove the generator head.

 

[theoldwizard1]

the guy in that video is an idiot. He calls the crankshaft a camshaft..its useless bs.

Okay, maybe he is not the "sharpest tool in the shed", but he figured out that the governor gear seized to the shaft and spun the shaft. Not everyone might pick that up right away.

 

[gte718p]

the guy in that video is an idiot. He calls the crankshaft a camshaft..its useless bs. OP, lets start simple..is there any "play" in your linkages? Ive often seen a loose throttle shaft cause a vacuum leak and cause a runaway condition.

There was no play in the linkage. The linkage would not move at all. Solved that problem. The throttle butterfly was sticking on the carb. It turned relatively easily by hand, but no where near as easily as it should. A little more carb cleaner and cycling it back and forth a few time and it moves like a champ.

I'm still having the problem of the governor not governing. The spring is pulling it to WOT. I took the linkage entirely off. Probably a mistake. The generator runs great with no governor, but has no way to respond to load changes. You can throttle it by hand and watch the post for the governor rotate. As soon as you hook the spring to the governor linkage back up it takes off.

I've looked through YouTube and can no fin a procedure for setting this type of governor. Anyone have an idea?

 

[gte718p]

oh the picture was taken prior to disassembly. I've tried the large spring in just about every hole. Still goes to WOT as soon as I let it go.

 

[Shade guy]

Stole this from another site

Before trying to solve either of these problems, you should do an inspection of the governor linkage and spring. Make sure everything is operating freely and the spring is not damaged or stretched. Also, check the governor static adjustment to see that all free play has been removed between the spindle and carburetor. The best way to do this is to move the throttle from idle to full open and note the way the governor shaft moves. If it goes clockwise, then loosen the clamp screw and with the throttle wide open turn the shaft all the way clockwise and re-tighten the nut. Make sure the throttle moves from idle to full open freely after making the adjustment.

 

[theoldwizard1]

...The throttle butterfly was sticking on the carb. It turned relatively easily by hand, but no where near as easily as it should. A little more carb cleaner and cycling it back and forth a few time and it moves like a champ.

I'm still having the problem of the governor not governing. The spring is pulling it to WOT.
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I've looked through YouTube and can no fin a procedure for setting this type of governor. Anyone have an idea?

Yeah, open it up ! The internal governor mechanism is screwed up.

I hope you have a lot of BEFORE pictures of linkages !