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Maintenance Instructions KOHLER TIPS
46
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CARE OF THE KOHLER
ENGINE
Fuel System
• Fuel must be clean - free from water, dirt, and or-
ganic material.
• Change fuel lter on a regular basis and when
contamination is suspected or found in the fuel.
Starting/Stopping
• Start engine with the throttle advanced off idle
(1/4 to 1/2 throttle). This will aid starting, especially
in cold weather.
• Keep the battery fully charged.
• Match crankcase oil viscosity to the ambient tem-
perature, allowing the engine to crank faster and
start easier.
• Allow engine to run at idle for a few seconds be-
fore stopping engine to avoid run-on or backring.
Cooling System
CAUTION
DO NOT use a pressure washer to clean the
cooling system on an air-cooled engine,
mud may form under the cooling shroud
on the cylinder head and cooling fan.
• Keep engine air intake screen and cylinder head
ns free of grass clippings, chaff, and dirt. Inspect
intake screen and cooling ns for cleanliness and no
damage.
• Periodically remove two access panels in the en-
gine shroud to inspect and clean cylinder head cool-
ing ns.
• Check performance of the cooling system by
starting the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the
cylinder head, and feeling the cooling airow.
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, mufer, and moving parts when
checking airow.
• Operate the engine at full speed when mowing.
This allows the engine to produce full horsepower
and move more cooling air through the engine cool-
ing ns.
Air Cleaner System
• Use only Enginaire
TM
air cleaner elements.
After market elements may not seal in the air cleaner
housing, allowing dirt to enter the engine. Also, af-
termarket lters often skimp on the ltration media
and require more frequent replace ment (see follow-
ing instructions).
• Use the air lter restriction gauge to indicate the
need to service the air lter.
• Do frequently check the Turbine Precleaner (lo-
cated in the end cap of the air cleaner assembly) for
free movement of the internal fan. Shine light into
end cap to verify movement of fan with engine run-
ning.
• DO NOT overservice or frequently “disturb” the
air lter. A dirty air lter actually cleans better than
a new one. Changing and cleaning the air lter too
often can actually reduce lter efciency and in-
crease the opportunity for traces of dust to enter the
engine. Wait until the element really needs servicing
as indicated by the air lter restriction gauge.
• When the air lter element is removed or re placed,
make sure all dust is cleaned out of the air cleaner
housing and hose. Use a damp cloth and wipe the
interior of the canister and hose clean (a lit tle dirt left
here will be sucked into the engine and reduce engine
life). When the lter is reinstalled, make sure the
element is held tight and straight in the canister for
proper seating and sealing.
• Periodically check the air intake hose for cuts,
nicks, etc., and the hose clamps for tightness.
Oil
• Use only multi-viscosity oils as specied with the
viscosity matching ambient temperatures for the en-
gine operating conditions. This will aid starting in
cold weather and assure proper lubrication in hot
weather.
• Use only Kohler oil lters. Aftermarket lters
may not seal properly and/or have the incorrect
pressure relief valve for proper lubrication.