How to Replace the Gear on a Governor for a 1987 23 HP Kohler Motor

The governor of a 1987 23 HP Kohler motor helps regulate motor output by restricting the top speed of the engine for fuel efficiency purposes. The governor is partially concealed by the flywheel's shroud but can be accessed by a nonprofessional to replace the governor gear and ensure the governor continues to work properly. No special tools are required to fix your Kohler motor's governor.

Socket wrench
Open-end wrench
Replacement governor gear

Instructions

- 1
  Ensure the Kohler motor is turned off.
- 2
  Find the flywheel on the top of the Kohler's engine block. The flywheel bears an immediately recognizable wheel-shape, covered by a bolted down iron shroud. Remove the bolts within this shroud with counterclockwise twists from a socket wrench.
- 3
  Pry the loose iron shroud off the flywheel with your hands. This reveals the governor piece just off to the right side of the flywheel, positioned close to the magneto.
- 4
  Loosen the bolt directly beneath the governor flap. Turn this bolt with counterclockwise twists from your socket wrench to disconnect the governor flap from this point. This affords access to the round gear on the governor.
- 5
  Turn the gear counterclockwise and lift it up and out of the engine with your hands. You may need the aid of an open-end wrench to dislodge the gear. Set the old gear aside.
- 6
  Position the new replacement gear onto the governor and secure it by turning it clockwise into place.
- 7
  Loop the governor's flap back over its bolt and tighten the bolt with clockwise twists from your socket wrench. This will secure the elements of the governor back into place on the engine block.
- 8
  Position the iron shroud back over the flywheel and reinsert its bolts with your socket wrench.

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