Hi there, my 98 MTD riding mower suddenly developed a governor problem. The engine keeps hunting up and down and won't run at a steady speed. It not too bad at full throttle but won't idle at all. What should I check for? Thanks

Check to see if there is a governor spring missing, loose, or broken.

check to see if there is a governor spring missing, loose, or broken.
Everything seems like its in place spring wise, when I pull the choke about 1/2 way it seems to run OK but if I push in the choke all the way the problem comes back. I even ran some carb cleaner though it for 20 mintues and no help. Thanks again.

If it's idling fast and slow you may have a hole in the diaphram on the carb. Or it may have dry rotted. Take it out and hold it to the light you should be able to see if there are any holes in it. If there are you need to replace it.

Sounds like you have a fuel blockage on the low side.
Take the carb off clean it out run wires in the little holes.