Kohler MV16, MV20, MV18 User Manual

OWNER'S MANUAL

MAGNUM 16,18, 20 HP

VERTICAL CRANKSHAFT

Safety Precautions

To ensure 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.

WARNING

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 ignited 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.

WARNING

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.

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Safety Precautions (Cont.)

WARNING

Accidental Starts can cause severe
injury or death.

Disconnect and ground spark plug
leads 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 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 cause death if
inhaled. Avoid inhaling exhaust
fumes, and never run the engine in
a closed building or confined area.

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.

Congratulations – You have selected a fine four-cycle, twin 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:

• Parts subject to the most wear and tear (like the cylinders, crankshaft, and camshaft) are made from
precision formulated cast iron. Because the cast iron cylinders can be rebored, these engines can last
even longer.

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

• Kohler engines are easy to service. All routine service areas (like the dipstick and oil fill, air cleaner,
spark plugs, and carburetor) are easily and quickly accessible.

• 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.

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Spark Plug

Blower
Housing

Air Cleaner

Spark Plug

Cooling

Cooling
Fins

Oil
Drain

DO NOT remove

Fins

Carburetor

this plugs.

Figure 1. Typical Magnum Vertical Shaft Engine.

DO NOT use these
feet to mount the
engine.

Electric
Starter

Oil Pan

Air Intake
Screen

DO NOT remove
these plugs.

Oil Fill/
Dipstick

Oil
Filter

Oil
Drain

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
(or decals) affixed to the engine shrouding. Include
letter suffixes, if there are any.

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

REFER TO OWNER'S MANUAL FOR
SAFETY, MAINTENANCE SPECS
AND ADJUSTMENTS. FOR SALES
AND SERVICE IN US/CANADA CALL:
1-800-544-2444

KOHLER CO. KOHLER, WI USA

EXPORT OR

REPLACEMENT ENGINE

Figure 2. Engine Identification Label.

Record your engine identification numbers on the
identification label illustration (Figure 2) for future
reference.

Oil Recommendations

Using the proper type and weight crankcase oil is
extremely important as is checking oil daily and
changing oil and filter 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 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
table.

**

*

*Use of synthetic oil having 5W-20 or 5W-30 rating is
acceptable, up to 4°C (40°F).
**Synthetic oils will provide better starting in extreme
cold below -23°C (-10°F).

Figure 3. Viscosity Grades Table.

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Straight 30-weight (Kohler "Magnum") 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 could cause engine
damage which is not covered by the engine
warranty.

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
ensure easy starting.

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

Figure 4. Oil Container Logo.

Refer to “Maintenance Instructions” beginning on
page 8 for detailed oil check, oil change, and oil
filter change procedures.

Fuel Recommendations

WARNING: Explosive Fuel!

Gasoline is extremely flammable, and its vapors can
explode if ignited. Store gasoline only in approved
containers, in 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; wipe up spills
immediately. Never use gasoline as a cleaning agent.

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.

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.

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