Woodward — Starting the Prime Mover for the First Time
Adjustments · Governor
From a Woodward service manual — check it applies to your exact model before use.
Before you start
- When starting the engine, be prepared to make an emergency shutdown to protect against runaway or overspeed should the governor, actuator, fuel control, driving mechanism, linkage, or controlled device fail.
Procedure
- Remove the needle valve access plug and seal washer.
- Close the needle valve carefully clockwise (cw) using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Open the needle valve counterclockwise (ccw) 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn.
- Loosen the nut holding the compensation adjusting pointer and set the pointer in the center of the scale; tighten the nut.
- Start the engine as instructed by the engine manufacturer.
- Adjust the speed setting knob on the governor for a reduced speed and allow the engine to warm up.
- Once the governor has reached its operating temperature, make compensation adjustments without load on the prime mover.
Tools required
- Phillips screwdriver Amazon
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Needle valve normal position is from 1/2 to 3/4 turn open.
Source: Woodward service manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.