Stupid stupid stupid 'governor' Bobcat 743

[Stevie Lee]

I'm new to this site, but it could have saved me a lot of time and money. I thought it was just a simple job, which it could have been if someone else did it. I took the top off the governor, to replace the O ring in the shaft. No problem, replaced the O ring. Should be back to work soon. Wrong. I also took the big spring off that connects to the governor. When I went to join them back up, I saw there was also a little spring inside that one. The big spring became locked into it somehow, so I took the small spring off too, and dropped it into the motor. You see where im coming from. I've tried to get it out with magnets, but with no luck. I've ordered another spring, but i need to know ,' can i just leave that damm spring in there, or does it have to come out. Secondly, I was able to get hold of a parts manual for it, but i'm not quite sure if the small spring justs connects to the big spring. The Bobcat is a 743. I thought i'd buy a cheap one to until things picked up. Apart from that it runs well. Please help. Steve

 

[Tazza]

Its easy once you have done one before. The end of both springs go through the same holes. Smaller one inside the larger one. Hopefully the spring went straight to the sump and will not cause any issues. The pickup has a screen so it won't be sucked into the oil pump.

 

[Fishfiles]

I would leave the spring in there and hope for the best , to get it out could become a major job ----I use a piece of wire , not as heavy as tie wire but stiff enough to hold the end of the two springs so they don't come dissconnect off the other side , and a pair of hemostats to help line the ends of the spring into the arm's hole during reassembling , it can be a frustrating job and sometimes it snaps together first try , I would bet a done that job over 50 times and still don't like it , and yes I have lost the spring into the motor before and didn't retrive it without seeing ny ill effects

 

[Tazza]

I would leave the spring in there and hope for the best , to get it out could become a major job ----I use a piece of wire , not as heavy as tie wire but stiff enough to hold the end of the two springs so they don't come dissconnect off the other side , and a pair of hemostats to help line the ends of the spring into the arm's hole during reassembling , it can be a frustrating job and sometimes it snaps together first try , I would bet a done that job over 50 times and still don't like it , and yes I have lost the spring into the motor before and didn't retrive it without seeing ny ill effects

I too do the wire trick and a pair of pointy nose pliers.
The only way i can think to get the spring is to pull the sump, but you really don't want to do that!. I was thinking if you could install a magnetic sump plug you may get the spring after it has run for a while it may move past and be caught. I have a machine that never had that flexible hose from the sump, only a plug. Bit messy to change oil but nothing a bit of de-greaser won't fix.

 

[Stevie Lee]

I would leave the spring in there and hope for the best , to get it out could become a major job ----I use a piece of wire , not as heavy as tie wire but stiff enough to hold the end of the two springs so they don't come dissconnect off the other side , and a pair of hemostats to help line the ends of the spring into the arm's hole during reassembling , it can be a frustrating job and sometimes it snaps together first try , I would bet a done that job over 50 times and still don't like it , and yes I have lost the spring into the motor before and didn't retrive it without seeing ny ill effects

Thanks for your imformation, I've found a piece of wire as you described. Don't know why i did'nt think of that before. I hope you did'nt drop the spring 50 times in the same motor. Cheers Steve

 

[Stevie Lee]

I would leave the spring in there and hope for the best , to get it out could become a major job ----I use a piece of wire , not as heavy as tie wire but stiff enough to hold the end of the two springs so they don't come dissconnect off the other side , and a pair of hemostats to help line the ends of the spring into the arm's hole during reassembling , it can be a frustrating job and sometimes it snaps together first try , I would bet a done that job over 50 times and still don't like it , and yes I have lost the spring into the motor before and didn't retrive it without seeing ny ill effects

Thanks everyone for your imformation, I've found a piece of wire as described. Don't know why i did'nt think of that before. I hope you did'nt drop the spring 50 times in the same motor. Thanks tazza, what a great site and good people on it Cheers Steve

 

[thetool]

A little (late, sorry) tip on how I do this:
A standard 4-piece pick set, I use the round one. Carefully lift off the plate, reach in with the pick and slide it into the spring eyes, and work the lever off the springs. Put the pick across the opening with spring tension holding it in place and do your thing to the plate. When you're ready to install the plate, just reverse order with the pick.
Personally, I couldn't sleep if I left the spring in there, and the engine is so easy to pull I'd do it for peace of mind and anal retentiveness.=)

 

[Tazza]

A little (late, sorry) tip on how I do this:
A standard 4-piece pick set, I use the round one. Carefully lift off the plate, reach in with the pick and slide it into the spring eyes, and work the lever off the springs. Put the pick across the opening with spring tension holding it in place and do your thing to the plate. When you're ready to install the plate, just reverse order with the pick.
Personally, I couldn't sleep if I left the spring in there, and the engine is so easy to pull I'd do it for peace of mind and anal retentiveness.=)

thetool has a good point, the engine is easy to pull and all youreally need to do is drop the sump and your spring should be there. I would try and get hold of a magnetic pulg for the sump and see if it catches the spring, then you know it won't get caught up on anything.

 

[Stevie Lee]

thetool has a good point, the engine is easy to pull and all youreally need to do is drop the sump and your spring should be there. I would try and get hold of a magnetic pulg for the sump and see if it catches the spring, then you know it won't get caught up on anything.

Hi guys, I've replaced the spring but get this. The Bobcat people here in New Zealand sent me the small spring , but the wrong one. Pretty sure its the spring for the lever next to it, which connects to the front, around the timing gears. They also sent me the larger spring as well, but this spring although looks identical, was slightly larger than mine. I thought what have i got to lose, so I put the big spring on without the small one, and walla, i'm back in action. I just had to adjust the screws slightly so not to over rev. Do you think I should be reverting back to the original size, and put the 2 springs back in or carry on The machine seems to be running fine. I did have fuel problems, but after reading other threads I changed the pick up tube in the fuel tank. On mine there was a filter on the end clogged up with rubbish. I replaced the filter and she's running like a dream. [ fingers crossed ] I would appreciate any response to the first question. Thank to all Cheers Steve

 

[Stevie Lee]

Hi guys, I've replaced the spring but get this. The Bobcat people here in New Zealand sent me the small spring , but the wrong one. Pretty sure its the spring for the lever next to it, which connects to the front, around the timing gears. They also sent me the larger spring as well, but this spring although looks identical, was slightly larger than mine. I thought what have i got to lose, so I put the big spring on without the small one, and walla, i'm back in action. I just had to adjust the screws slightly so not to over rev. Do you think I should be reverting back to the original size, and put the 2 springs back in or carry on The machine seems to be running fine. I did have fuel problems, but after reading other threads I changed the pick up tube in the fuel tank. On mine there was a filter on the end clogged up with rubbish. I replaced the filter and she's running like a dream. [ fingers crossed ] I would appreciate any response to the first question. Thank to all Cheers Steve

P.S I will be draining the sump, the thought of that thing floating around scares me too. I will be upgrading to these new S series bobcats later in the year, but I need to get some imformation on them first. I suppose its the same as the old petrol machine I started on, then the 643 and two 743's. Cheers.

 

[Tazza]

P.S I will be draining the sump, the thought of that thing floating around scares me too. I will be upgrading to these new S series bobcats later in the year, but I need to get some imformation on them first. I suppose its the same as the old petrol machine I started on, then the 643 and two 743's. Cheers.

If it runs ok, i'd leave it be. This spring simply puts back pressure on the govenor, it will not alter your govenor or the way it functions. The worst thing it can do it cause lower throttle speeds.
I hope draining the sump gets the spring, i doubt you would be luck enough for it to simply float out with the waste oil. Good luck though.

 

[Stevie Lee]

If it runs ok, i'd leave it be. This spring simply puts back pressure on the govenor, it will not alter your govenor or the way it functions. The worst thing it can do it cause lower throttle speeds.
I hope draining the sump gets the spring, i doubt you would be luck enough for it to simply float out with the waste oil. Good luck though.

Hi everyone, another problem, engine oil blowing out through the breather pipe. Problem or not so big. Hopefully the latter. Its not a lot, but i think enough to be concerned about.

 

[thetool]

Hi everyone, another problem, engine oil blowing out through the breather pipe. Problem or not so big. Hopefully the latter. Its not a lot, but i think enough to be concerned about.

Excessive oil vapor out of the breather is most likely worn rings. I've seen 743s keep going and going like this.
The engine gets progressively harder to start, especially in cold weather-typical tired engine stuff.
Soemtimes it's a head gasket that causes this.

 

[Stevie Lee]

Excessive oil vapor out of the breather is most likely worn rings. I've seen 743s keep going and going like this.
The engine gets progressively harder to start, especially in cold weather-typical tired engine stuff.
Soemtimes it's a head gasket that causes this.

Thanks. it almost seems like its time to upgrade. Probably a warning to others. You get what you pay for, I didn't need this so early. It was a $10,000 machine so i thought it should last 6 mnths. Decision time. Thanks everyone !!!!!!!!

 

[Tazza]

Thanks. it almost seems like its time to upgrade. Probably a warning to others. You get what you pay for, I didn't need this so early. It was a $10,000 machine so i thought it should last 6 mnths. Decision time. Thanks everyone !!!!!!!!

How does it start? Does it still start easily when cold?
A little blow-by is fine, i had a machine that had quite a bit of blow-by and was a pig to start but when it was warm, it purred like a kitten. Shut it down, as long as you didn't leave it for hours it would fire rite up. Still had heaps of power!
If it still starts ok and has good power don't worry. You will easily get 6 months out of it if not years. These engines will easily do 6,000 hours and if it fails, you can get it re-co'd pretty cheap. Aftermarket parts are available which cuts costs dramatically.
The 743 was/still is an excellent machine. Anyone can work on it.

 

[Stevie Lee]

How does it start? Does it still start easily when cold?
A little blow-by is fine, i had a machine that had quite a bit of blow-by and was a pig to start but when it was warm, it purred like a kitten. Shut it down, as long as you didn't leave it for hours it would fire rite up. Still had heaps of power!
If it still starts ok and has good power don't worry. You will easily get 6 months out of it if not years. These engines will easily do 6,000 hours and if it fails, you can get it re-co'd pretty cheap. Aftermarket parts are available which cuts costs dramatically.
The 743 was/still is an excellent machine. Anyone can work on it.

Thanks Tazza, my wife keeps telling me not to worry, its just that i started out with the best of intensions, to get back into bobcating which i feel i was good at, at the time, and still am. Its an area which i love, and with these machines, i get so much enjoyment. I have driven a lot of machines in my time, but these are number one to me. O K the bobcat is starting to get a little hard to start, as I do live in a cold climate area. I have replaced the glow plugs, but im wondering if i lowered their ability, because I did't realise the pickup tube was blocked, until a month later. Takes about 3 attempts at 30 sec's per. Once its going it runs like a dream. Hydraulics don't have any noises coming from them, whatsoever. I worry because the work is coming in and i don't want to let anyone down. Power is right up there, Lot of white smoke comes out for about 30 sec's, once it begins take hold, and then once it starts, its like a new one. No smoke of any colour. Noticed quite a bit of diesel around the injectors, mainly the 1st and third. Blew a hydraulic hose, and banged my head on the door, checking for anything else. apart from that i had a good day. Thanks for your concern and advise. Steve

 

[Tazza]

Thanks Tazza, my wife keeps telling me not to worry, its just that i started out with the best of intensions, to get back into bobcating which i feel i was good at, at the time, and still am. Its an area which i love, and with these machines, i get so much enjoyment. I have driven a lot of machines in my time, but these are number one to me. O K the bobcat is starting to get a little hard to start, as I do live in a cold climate area. I have replaced the glow plugs, but im wondering if i lowered their ability, because I did't realise the pickup tube was blocked, until a month later. Takes about 3 attempts at 30 sec's per. Once its going it runs like a dream. Hydraulics don't have any noises coming from them, whatsoever. I worry because the work is coming in and i don't want to let anyone down. Power is right up there, Lot of white smoke comes out for about 30 sec's, once it begins take hold, and then once it starts, its like a new one. No smoke of any colour. Noticed quite a bit of diesel around the injectors, mainly the 1st and third. Blew a hydraulic hose, and banged my head on the door, checking for anything else. apart from that i had a good day. Thanks for your concern and advise. Steve

The diesel could be your tap off line could be cracked. Check the lines that connect between the injectors, this line runs at no pressure and returns the internal leakage of the injectors back to the fuel tank. If its not that, it could be the nuts are a little loose on the high pressure lines to the injectors. If thats STILL not it, your nuts holding the tap off banjo style adapters could be loose, these run 2 aluminum washers for a seal.
Now starting, i reconditioned my V1702 and it does the same as yours, it doesn't blow HEAPS of smoke if i give it a real good glow but it does blow out a bit of white smoke at startup. It does as you describe, runs real rough spluttering but then when it catches it purrs, when warm literally just touch the key and it starts rite up.
If it has good power seriously, don't worry. If the temperature is quite cold you may want to invest in a block heater. Leave it warm up over night and its ready to start rite up in the morning. If you are worried, use the heater to get it warm and before you leave for a job run it to get it to operating temp. Goto your job and it should still be nice and warm.
Just an idea.

 

[Stevie Lee]

The diesel could be your tap off line could be cracked. Check the lines that connect between the injectors, this line runs at no pressure and returns the internal leakage of the injectors back to the fuel tank. If its not that, it could be the nuts are a little loose on the high pressure lines to the injectors. If thats STILL not it, your nuts holding the tap off banjo style adapters could be loose, these run 2 aluminum washers for a seal.
Now starting, i reconditioned my V1702 and it does the same as yours, it doesn't blow HEAPS of smoke if i give it a real good glow but it does blow out a bit of white smoke at startup. It does as you describe, runs real rough spluttering but then when it catches it purrs, when warm literally just touch the key and it starts rite up.
If it has good power seriously, don't worry. If the temperature is quite cold you may want to invest in a block heater. Leave it warm up over night and its ready to start rite up in the morning. If you are worried, use the heater to get it warm and before you leave for a job run it to get it to operating temp. Goto your job and it should still be nice and warm.
Just an idea.

Thanks again Tazza, I'm on to all of that right away, and i'm even enthusiastic again. Cheers, better send you something for your troubles. Cheers everyone else as well. Steve

 

[Tazza]

Thanks again Tazza, I'm on to all of that right away, and i'm even enthusiastic again. Cheers, better send you something for your troubles. Cheers everyone else as well. Steve

Glad you're enthusiastic again. Honestly from what i have done with 743's in the few years i have worked on them they are really tough. I have never had a problem with the hydraulics or hydrostatics. Sure, you get the odd leaking ram or blown hose but never something major. In the scheme of things i haven't worked on that many 743's but when i get them they have been pretty well abused. They are very tough and worth the time and effort to keep it alive.
If you have any problems you can ask in here or in the profile section my e-mail address is listed there if you need help.