My 25 HP Intek Twin Model 445777 Type 0134 engine with 47 hours, clean gas, oil and filters, started "racing," after one hour of mowing this week, blowing smoke. I've mowed three times this season; over one hour each with no problem. Choke now runs in "reverse," meaning that I have to push it all the way open to slow down engine, throttle handle appears not to slow or speed up engine. Engine "racing" at about twice normal RPM. Carburetor appears to be OK; throttle and choke plates move freely; no apparent dirt or blockage, no missing linkage. If I put my hand over the air intake to the carburetor, it slows down engine. When I remove my hand, it resumes "racing." Tractor is John Deere L2548. Could it be the Governor and how would I test? Any other ideas? Thanks.

Yes it could be the governor, check and see that you are not missing and governor springs, and start the engine, get ahold of the governor rod and see if you can manually move it. Does this make the rpms lower? If so , you have a spring or linkage problem. If not your governor is "STUCK" open. If it only has 47 hours, chances are you are still under warranty, and if you are not authorized to be doing such repairs, you may void your warranty. Good luck.

YES IT COULD BE THE GOVERNOR, CHECK AND SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT MISSING AND GOVERNOR SPRINGS, AND START THE ENGINE, GET AHOLD OF THE GOVERNOR ROD AND SEE IF YOU CAN MANUALLY MOVE IT. DOES THIS MAKE THE RPMs LOWER? IF SO , YOU HAVE A SPRING OR LINKAGE PROBLEM. IF NOT YOUR GOVERNOR IS "STUCK" OPEN. IF IT ONLY HAS 47 HOURS, CHANCES ARE YOU ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND IF YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE DOING SUCH REPAIRS, YOU MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY. GOOD LUCK.

10 out of 10 Mowerman. One of the pins holding the flyweights sheared off and the flyweights dropped into the oil pan. Replaced governor and flyweights and we're now running like a charm. I still don't understand what would have caused this problem. Thanks again.