Kohler M12, M8, M16 User Manual

MAGNUM 8,12,16 HP

HORIZONTAL CRANKSHAFT

OWNER'S MANUAL

Congratulations  You have selected a fine four-cycle, single cylinder, air-cooled engine. Kohler designs long life strength and on-the-job durability into each enginemaking a Kohler engine dependabledependability you can count on. Here are some reasons why:

 Kohler engines are easy to service. All routine service areas (like the dipstick and oil fill, air cleaner, spark

plug, and carburetor) are easily and quickly accessible.

 Parts subject to the most wear and tear (like the cylinder, crankshaft, and camshaft) are made from

precision formulated cast iron. Because the cast iron cylinder can be rebored, these engines can last even longer.

 Dependable, maintenance-free electronic ignition system ensures fast, easy starts time after time.

 Every Kohler engine is backed by a worldwide network of over 10,000 distributors and dealers. Service

support is just a phone call away. Call 1-800-544-2444 (U.S. & Canada) for Sales & Service assistance.

To keep your engine in top operating condition, follow the maintenance procedures in this manual.

Safety Precautions

To insure safe operations please read the following statements and understand their meaning. Also refer to your equipment owner's manual for other important safety information. This manual contains safety precautions which are explained below. Please read carefully.

WARNING

Warning is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that can cause severe personal injury, death, or substantial property damage if the warning is ignored.

CAUTION

Caution is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that will or can cause minor personal injury or property damage if the caution is ignored.

NOTE

Note is used to notify people of installation, operation, or maintenance information that is important but not hazard-related.

For Your Safety!

These precautions should be followed at all times. Failure to follow these precautions could result in injury to yourself and others.

Explosive Fuel can cause fires and severe burns.

Stop engine before filling fuel tank.

Explosive Fuel!

Gasoline is extremely flammable and its vapors can explode if ignited. Store gasoline only in approved containers, in well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away from sparks or flames. Do not fill the fuel tank while the engine is hot or running, since spilled fuel could ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or sparks from ignition. Do not start the engine near spilled fuel. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.

WARNINGWARNING

Rotating Parts can cause severe injury.

Stay away while engine is in operation.

Rotating Parts!

Keep hands, feet, hair, and clothing away from all moving parts to prevent injury. Never operate the engine with covers, shrouds, or guards removed.

CAUTION

Electrical Shock can cause injury.

Do not touch wires while engine is running.

WARNING

Hot Parts can cause severe burns.

Do not touch engine while operating or just after stopping.

Hot Parts!

Engine components can get extremely hot from operation. To prevent severe burns, do not touch these areas while the engine is running, or immediately after it is turned off. Never operate the engine with heat shields or guards removed.

California

Proposition 65 Warning

Engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Electrical Shock!

Never touch electrical wires or components while the engine is running. They can be sources of electrical shock.

Safety Precautions (Cont.)

WARNING

Accidental Starts can cause severe injury or death.

Disconnect and ground spark plug lead before servicing.

Accidental Starts!

Disabling engine. Accidental starting can cause severe injury or death. Before working on the engine or equipment, disable the engine as follows: 1) Disconnect the spark plug lead(s). 2) Disconnect negative (-) battery cable from battery.

WARNING

Carbon Monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting or death.

Do not operate engine in closed or confined area.

Lethal Exhaust Gases!

Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and can cause death if inhaled. Avoid inhaling exhaust fumes, and never run the engine in a closed building or confined area.

WARNING

Explosive Gas can cause fires and severe acid burns.

Charge battery only in a well ventilated area. Keep sources of ignition away.

Explosive Gas!

Batteries produce explosive hydrogen gas while being charged. To prevent a fire or explosion, charge batteries only in well ventilated areas. Keep sparks, open flames, and other sources of ignition away from the battery at all times. Keep batteries out of the reach of children. Remove all jewelry when servicing batteries.

Before disconnecting the negative (-) ground cable, make sure all switches are OFF. If ON, a spark will occur at the ground cable terminal which could cause an explosion if hydrogen gas or gasoline vapors are present.

Identification Plate

Blower Housing

(Under Air Cleaner Cover)

Choke Control

Throttle Control

Figure 1. Typical Model M8 Engine.

Fuel Tank

Air Intake Screen

Retractable Starter

Dipstick & Oil Fill

Fuel Filter

Electric Starter

Cooling Fins

Oil Sump

Spark Plug

Muffler

Air Cleaner

Oil Drain

Oil Recommendations

Using the proper type and weight of oil in the crankcase is extremely important. So is checking oil daily and changing oil regularly. Failure to use the correct oil, or using dirty oil, causes premature engine wear and failure.

Before each start, make sure the crankcase is filled with the proper type and quantity of oil.

Oil Type

Use high quality detergent oil of API (American Petroleum Institute) service class SG, SH, SJ or higher. Select the viscosity based on the air

temperature at the time of operation as shown in the following table.

Refer to Maintenance Instructions beginning on page 7 for detailed oil check and oil change procedures.

Fuel Recommendations

WARNING: Explosive Fuel!

General Recommendations

Purchase gasoline in small quantities and store in clean, approved containers. A container with a capacity of 2 gallons or less, with a pouring spout, is recommended. Such a container is easier to handle and helps eliminate spillage during refueling.

Do not use gasoline left over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in your fuel system and to insure easy starting.

*Use of synthetic oil having 5W-20 or 5W-30 rating is acceptable, up to 40°F. **Synthetic oils provide better starting in extreme cold (below -10°F).

Figure 2. Viscosity Grades Table.

Straight 30-weight oil is preferred. SAE 10W-30 oil is

not recommended above 32°F. Using this oil substantially increases oil consumption and combustion chamber deposits.

NOTE: Using other than service class SG, SH, SJ or

higher oil or extending oil change intervals longer than recommended can cause engine damage which is not covered by the engine warranty.

A logo or symbol on oil containers identifies the API service class and SAE viscosity grade. See Figure 3.

Do not add oil to the gasoline.

Do not overfill the fuel tank. Leave room for the fuel to expand.

Fuel Type

For best results use only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher. In countries using the Research method, it should be 90 octane minimum.

Unleaded gasoline is recommended as it leaves less combustion chamber deposits. Leaded gasoline may be used in areas where unleaded is not available and exhaust emissions are not regulated. Be aware however, that the cylinder head will require more frequent service.

Gasoline/Alcohol blends

Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is approved as a fuel for Kohler engines. Other gasoline/alcohol blends are not approved.

Figure 3. Oil Container Logo.

Gasoline/Ether blends

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved as a fuel for Kohler engines. Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.

Engine Identification Numbers

When ordering parts, or in any communication involving an engine, always give the Model, Specification, and Serial Numbers of the engine.

The engine identification numbers appear on a decal affixed to the engine shrouding. Include letter suffixes, if there are any.

Record your engine identification numbers on the identification label below (Figure 4) for future reference.

IMPORTANT ENGINE INFORMATION THIS ENGINE MEETS U.S. EPA 2004 AND CALIFORNIA 2006 AND LATER EMISSION CONTROL REGULATIONS FOR SI SORE*

FAMILY DISPL. (CC) MODEL NO. SPEC. NO. SERIAL NO.

EMISSION COMPLIANCE PERIOD: EPA: CARB:

THIS ENGINE IS CERTIFIED TO OPERATE ON:

REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR SAFETY, MAINTENANCE SPECS AND ADJUSTMENTS.

FOR SALES/SERVICE IN US/CANADA, CALL:

KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WISCONSIN USA

1-800-544-2444

www.kohlerengines.com

*Small Off-Road Engines

Figure 4. Engine Identification Label.

The Emission Compliance Period referred to on the Emission Control or Air Index label indicates the number of operating hours for which the engine has been shown to meet Federal and CARB emission requirements. The following table provides the Engine Compliance Period (in hours) associated with the category descriptor found on the certification label.

Emission Compliance Period (Hours)

EPA

Category C 250 hours

Category B 500 hours

N11236

Category A 1000 hours

Operating Instructions

Also read the operating instructions of the equipment this engine powers.

Pre-Start Checklist

 Check oil level. Add oil if low. Do not overfill.

 Check fuel level. Add fuel if low.

 Check cooling air intake areas and external

surfaces of engine. Make sure they are clean and unobstructed.

 Check that the air cleaner components and all

shrouds, equipment covers, and guards are in place and securely fastened.

 Check that any clutches or transmissions are

disengaged or placed in neutral. This is especially important on equipment with hydrostatic drive. The shift lever must be exactly in neutral to prevent resistance which could keep the engine from starting.

WARNING: Lethal Exhaust Gases!

Cold Weather Starting Hints

1. Be sure to use the proper oil for the temperature expected. See Figure 2 on page 4.

2. Declutch all possible external loads.

3. A warm battery has much more starting capacity than a cold battery.

4. Use fresh winter grade fuel. NOTE: Winter grade gasoline has higher volatility to improve starting. Do not use gasoline left over from summer.

CARB

Moderate 125 hours

Intermediate 250 hours

Extended 500 hours

Refer to certification label for engine displacement.

Exhaust Emission Control System for models M8, M12, and M16 is EM.

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