11
Clean Air Intake/Cooling Areas
To ensure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen,
cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine
are kept clean
at all times
.
Every
100 hours
of operation (more often under
extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower
housing and other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling
fins and external surfaces as necessary. Make sure the
cooling shrouds are reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass
screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or
cooling shrouds removed, will cause engine
damage due to overheating.
Ignition System
This engine is equipped with a dependable electronic
magneto ignition system. Other than periodically
checking/replacing the spark plug, no maintenance,
timing, or adjustments are necessary or possible with
this system.
In the event starting problems should occur which are
not corrected by replacing the spark plug, see your
Kohler Engine Service Dealer for trouble analysis.
Check Spark Plug
Every
200 hours
of operation, remove the spark plug,
check condition, and reset the gap or replace with new
plug as necessary. Use a Champion
®
type RC12YC (or
equivalent) spark plug.
1. Before removing the spark plug, clean the area
around the base of the plug to keep dirt and debris
out of the engine.
2. Remove the plug and check its condition.
Replace the plug if worn or reuse is questionable.
NOTE: Do not clean the spark plug in a machine
using abrasive grit. Some grit could
remain in the spark plug and enter the
engine causing extensive wear and
damage.
3. Check the gap using a wire feeler gauge. Adjust
the gap to
1.02 mm (0.040 in.)
by carefully
bending the ground electrode. See Figure 10.
4. Reinstall the spark plug into the cylinder head.
Torque the spark plug to
24.4-29.8 N·m
(18-22 ft. lb.)
.
Wire Gauge
Ground
Electrode
Spark Plug
1.02 mm
(0.040 in.) Gap
Figure 10. Servicing Spark Plug.
Battery Charging
WARNING: 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.
NOTE: Do not apply 12 volt DC to kill terminal of
ignition module.
Fuel Filter
Some engines are equipped with an in-line fuel filter.
Periodically inspect the filter and replace when dirty.
Use a genuine Kohler filter.