Kohler SV710, SV740, SV810, SV840 User Manual

SV710-SV740

SV810-SV840
Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT: Read all safety precautions and instructions carefully before

operating equipment. Refer to operating instruction of
equipment that this engine powers.

Ensure engine is stopped and level before performing any

maintenance or service.

Warranty coverage as outlined in the warranty card and on

KohlerEngines.com. Please review carefully as it provides you
specifi c rights and obligations.

Record engine information to reference when ordering parts or obtaining warranty coverage.

Engine Model

Specifi cation

Serial Number

Purchase Date

32 590 06 Rev. A

KohlerEngines.com

Safety Precautions

WARNING: A hazard that could result in death, serious injury, or substantial property damage.
CAUTION: A hazard that could result in minor personal injury or property damage.

NOTE: is used to notify people of important installation, operation, or maintenance information.

WARNING

Explosive Fuel
can cause fi res
and severe
burns.

Do not fi ll fuel
tank while
engine is hot or
running.

Gasoline is extremely
fl ammable and its vapors
can explode if ignited.
Store gasoline only in
approved containers, in
well ventilated, unoccupied
buildings, away from sparks
or fl ames. Spilled fuel
could ignite if it comes in
contact with hot parts or
sparks from ignition. Never
use gasoline as a cleaning
agent.

WARNING

Rotating Parts
can cause
severe injury.

Stay away while
engine is in
operation.

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

WARNING

Carbon
Monoxide can
cause severe
nausea, fainting
or death.

Avoid inhaling
exhaust fumes.

Engine exhaust gases
contain poisonous carbon
monoxide. Carbon
monoxide is odorless,
colorless, and can cause
death if inhaled.

CAUTION

Electrical Shock
can cause injury.

Do not touch
wires while
engine is
running.

WARNING

Accidental
Starts can cause
severe injury or
death.

Disconnect and
ground spark
plug lead(s)
before servicing.

Before working on engine or
equipment, disable engine
as follows: 1) Disconnect
spark plug lead(s). 2)
Disconnect negative (–)
battery cable from battery.

WARNING

Hot Parts can
cause severe
burns.

Do not touch
engine while
operating or just
after stopping.

Never operate engine with
heat shields or guards
removed.

California Proposition 65 Warning

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

2 32 590 06 Rev. AKohlerEngines.com

E

A

B

B

C

E

D

F

Air Cleaner

A

Access Door

E Oil Fill/Dipstick F Oil Drain Plug G Spark Plug H

Pre-Start Checklist

1. Check oil level. Add oil if low. Do not overfi ll.

2. Check fuel level. Add fuel if low. Check fuel system components and lines for leaks.

3. Check and clean cooling areas, air intake areas and external surfaces of engine (particularly
after storage).

4. Check that air cleaner components and all shrouds, equipment covers, and guards are in place
and securely fastened.

5. Check spark arrestor (if equipped).

B Debris Screen C Fuel Filter D Oil Filter

G

H

Raised Air

Cleaner Access

Door

32 590 06 Rev. A

KohlerEngines.com

3

Starting

WARNING

Carbon Monoxide can cause
severe nausea, fainting or death.

Avoid inhaling exhaust fumes.

Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous
carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is
odorless, colorless, and can cause death if
inhaled.

Stopping

1. If possible, remove load by disengaging all
PTO driven attachments.

2. Position throttle control between half and full
throttle; stop engine.

Angle of Operation

Refer to operating instructions of equipment
this engine powers. Do not operate this engine
exceeding maximum angle of operation; see
specifi cation table. Engine damage could result
from insuffi cient lubrication.

WARNING

Rotating Parts can cause severe
injury.

Stay away while engine is in
operation.

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

Refer to operating instructions of equipment
this engine powers for specifi c starting
instructions.

Cold Weather Starting Hints

1. Use proper oil for temperature expected.

2. Disengage all possible external loads.

3. Use fresh winter grade fuel. Winter grade
fuel has higher volatility to improve starting.

Engine Speed

NOTE: Do not tamper with governor setting to

increase maximum engine speed.
Overspeed is hazardous and will void
warranty.

High Altitude Operation

This engine may require a high altitude
carburetor kit to ensure correct engine
operation at altitudes above 4000 ft.
(1219 meters). To obtain high altitude kit
information or to fi nd a Kohler authorized dealer
visit KohlerEngines.com or call 1-800-544-2444
(U.S. and Canada).

This engine should be operated in its original
confi guration below 4000 ft. (1219 meters) as
damage may occur if high altitude carburetor kit
is installed and operated below 4000 ft. (1219
meters).

4 32 590 06 Rev. AKohlerEngines.com

Maintenance Instructions

°F

-20

020324060

50 80 100

°C

-30 -20

-10 0

10 20 30

40

5W-30

10W-30

SAE 30

WARNING

Accidental Starts can cause
severe injury or death.
Disconnect and ground spark
plug lead(s) before servicing.

Before working on engine or equipment, disable
engine as follows: 1) Disconnect spark plug
lead(s). 2) Disconnect negative (–) battery cable
from battery.

Normal maintenance, replacement or repair of emission control devices and systems may be
performed by any repair establishment or individual; however, warranty repairs must be performed
by a Kohler authorized dealer found at KohlerEngines.com or 1-800-544-2444 (U.S. and Canada).

Maintenance Schedule

Every 25 Hours¹

● Service/replace precleaner.

● Replace air cleaner element (if not equipped with precleaner).
Every 100 Hours¹

● Replace air cleaner element (if equipped with precleaner).

● Change oil and fi lter.

● Remove cooling shrouds and clean cooling areas.
Every 100 Hours

● Check that all fasteners are in place and components are properly secured.

● Replace fuel fi lter.
Every 200 Hours²

● Have valve lash checked/adjusted.
Every 500 Hours

● Replace spark plugs and set gap.
¹ Perform these procedures more frequently under severe, dusty, dirty conditions.

² Have a Kohler authorized dealer perform this service.

Oil Recommendations

We recommend use of Kohler oils for best
performance. Other high-quality detergent
oils (including synthetic) of API (American
Petroleum Institute) service class SJ or higher
are acceptable. Select viscosity based on air
temperature at time of operation as shown in
table below.

Check Oil Level

NOTE: To prevent extensive engine wear or

damage, never run engine with oil level
below or above operating range
indicator on dipstick.

Ensure engine is cool. Clean oil fi ll/dipstick
areas of any debris.

1. Remove dipstick; wipe oil off.

a. Push-in cap: reinsert dipstick into tube;

press completely down.

or

b. Threaded cap: reinsert dipstick into tube

and thread on completely.

2. Remove dipstick; check oil level. Level
should be at top of indicator on dipstick.

3. If oil is low on indicator, add oil up to top of
indicator mark.

4. Reinstall and secure dipstick.

32 590 06 Rev. A

KohlerEngines.com

5

Change Oil and Filter

Change oil while engine is warm.

1. Clean area around oil fi ll cap/dipstick.
Remove drain plug and oil fi ll cap/dipstick.
Allow oil to drain completely.

2. Clean area around oil fi lter. Place a container
under fi lter to catch any oil and remove fi lter.
Wipe off mounting surface. Reinstall drain
plug. Torque to 10 ft. lb. (13.6 N·m).

3. Place new fi lter in shallow pan with open end
up. Fill with new oil until oil reaches bottom
of threads. Allow 2 minutes for oil to be
absorbed by fi lter material.

4. Apply a thin fi lm of clean oil to rubber gasket
on new fi lter.

5. Refer to instructions on oil fi lter for proper
installation.

6. Fill crankcase with new oil. Level should be
at top of indicator on dipstick.

7. Reinstall oil fi ll cap/dipstick and tighten
securely.

8. Start engine; check for oil leaks. Stop engine;
correct leaks. Recheck oil level.

9. Dispose of used oil and fi lter in accordance
with local ordinances.

Oil Sentry™ (if equipped)

This switch is designed to prevent engine
from starting in a low oil or no oil condition. Oil
Sentry™ may not shut down a running engine
before damage occurs. In some applications
this switch may activate a warning signal. Read
your equipment manuals for more information.

Fuel Recommendations

WARNING

Explosive Fuel can cause fi res
and severe burns.

Do not fi ll fuel tank while engine is
hot or running.

Gasoline is extremely fl ammable and
its vapors can explode if ignited. Store
gasoline only in approved containers, in
well ventilated, unoccupied buildings, away
from sparks or fl ames. Spilled fuel could
ignite if it comes in contact with hot parts or
sparks from ignition. Never use gasoline as a
cleaning agent.

NOTE: E15, E20 and E85 are NOT approved

and should NOT be used; effects of
old, stale or contaminated fuel are not
warrantable.

Fuel must meet these requirements:

● Clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline.

● Octane rating of 87 (R+M)/2 or higher.

● Research Octane Number (RON) 90 octane

minimum.

● Gasoline up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90%
unleaded is acceptable.

● Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and
unleaded gasoline blend (max 15% MTBE by
volume) are approved.

● Do not add oil to gasoline.

● Do not overfi ll fuel tank.

● Do not use gasoline older than 30 days.

Fuel Line

Low permeation fuel line must be installed on
carbureted Kohler Co. engines to maintain EPA
and CARB regulatory compliance.

6 32 590 06 Rev. AKohlerEngines.com

Spark Plugs

CAUTION

Electrical Shock can cause injury.

Do not touch wires while engine
is running.

Clean out spark plug recess. Remove plug and
replace.

1. Check gap using wire feeler gauge. Adjust
gap, see specifi cation table for adjustment.

2. Install plug into cylinder head.

3. Torque plug to 20 ft. lb. (27 N·m).

Air Cleaner

NOTE: Operating engine with loose or

damaged air cleaner components
could cause premature wear and
failure. Replace all bent or damaged
components.

NOTE: Paper element cannot be blown out

with compressed air.

Open air cleaner access door on blower
housing and unhook latch.

Precleaner (if equipped):

1. Remove precleaner.

2. Replace or wash precleaner in warm water
with detergent. Rinse and allow to air dry.

3. Saturate precleaner with new engine oil;
squeeze out excess oil.

4. Reinstall precleaner over paper element.

Paper Element:

1. Remove element from base; service
precleaner. Discard element.

2. Install precleaner over new paper element
and install on base.

Hook latch; close and secure access door.

Breather Tube

Ensure both ends of breather tube are properly
connected.

Air Cooling

WARNING

Hot Parts can cause severe
burns.

Do not touch engine while
operating or just after stopping.

Never operate engine with heat shields or
guards removed.

Proper cooling is essential. To prevent over
heating, clean screens, cooling fi ns, and other
external surfaces of engine. Avoid spraying
water at wiring harness or any electrical
components. See Maintenance Schedule.

Repairs/Service Parts

We recommend that you use a Kohler
authorized dealer for all maintenance,
service, and replacement parts for engine.
To fi nd a Kohler authorized dealer visit
KohlerEngines.com or call 1-800-544-2444
(U.S. and Canada).

Storage

If engine will be out of service for 2 months or
more follow procedure below.

1. Add Kohler PRO Series fuel treatment or
equivalent to fuel tank. Run engine 2-3
minutes to get stabilized fuel into fuel system
(failure due to untreated fuel are not
warrantable).

2. Change oil while engine is still warm from
operation. Remove spark plug(s) and pour
about 1 oz. of engine oil into cylinder(s).
Replace spark plug(s) and crank engine
slowly to distribute oil.

3. Disconnect negative (-) battery cable.

4. Store engine in a clean, dry place.

32 590 06 Rev. A

KohlerEngines.com

7

Troubleshooting

Do not attempt to service or replace major engine components, or any items that require special
timing or adjustment procedures. This work should be performed by a Kohler authorized dealer.

Possible Cause

Dirt In

No

Problem

Will Not Start

Hard Starting

Stops Suddenly

Lacks Power

Operates Erratically

Knocks or Pings

Skips or Misfi res

Backfi res

Overheats

High Fuel
Consumption

Engine Specifi cations

Model Bore Stroke Displacement

SV710

SV715

SV720

SV725

SV730

SV735

SV740

SV810

SV820

SV830

SV840

*Exceeding maximum angle of operation may cause engine damage from insuffi cient lubrication.

Additional specifi cation information can be found in service manual at KohlerEngines.com.

Exhaust Emission Control System for models SV710-SV740 and SV810-SV840 is EM for U.S.
EPA, California, and Europe.

Any and all horsepower (hp) references by Kohler are Certifi ed Power Ratings and per SAE J1940
& J1995 hp standards. Details on Certifi ed Power Ratings can be found at KohlerEngines.com.

3.27 in.

(83 mm)

2.6 in.

(67 mm)

Improper

Fuel

Fuel

●●● ● ● ● ●

●● ●●●●

● ●●●●●●

●●●● ● ● ●

●●● ● ● ●

●● ● ●

●●● ● ●

●● ● ● ●

●●●● ● ●

44.2 cu. in.
(725 cc)

Fuel

Debris

Line

Screen

1.7-1.9 U.S. qt.

Dirty

Incorrect
Oil Level

Oil Capacity

(Refi ll)

(1.6-1.8 L)

Engine

Overloaded

Spark

Plug Gap

0.03 in.

(0.76 mm)

Dirty Air
Cleaner

●●●

Maximum Angle

of Operation

(@ full oil level)*

Faulty
Spark

Plug

25°

© 2011 by Kohler Co. All rights reserved.

32 590 06 Rev. AKohlerEngines.com