H24d
Maintenance Instructions
Kohler Tips
49
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CARE OF THE
KOHLER ENGINE
Fuel System
● Fuel must be clean—free from water, dirt, and
organic material. Fuel contamination will
greatly shorten the life of the fuel injector pump
and injectors.
● Use of (B5) Bio-Diesel fuel is approved when
purchased from recognized and authorized
diesel fuel supplier.
● Engine is equipped with a mechanical fuel
pump and the fuel system may need to be
primed in certain conditions (after running out
of fuel or after fuel system maintenance). See
instructions for
Fuel Pump Priming on page
30.
●
DO NOT
crank the engine to prime the fuel
system as this may damage the starter from
prolonged cranking.
● Use only Kohler Fuel Filter as specified.
Starting/Stopping
●
DO NOT use ether or any starting fluid
in
the air intake. This will
damage the engine.
● To aid starting in cold weather [below 40° F (4°
C)], release the hydrostatic transmission drive
belt to reduce the engine starter cranking load.
Reinstall belt after the engine has been
warmed up.
● Start engine with the throttle advanced off idle
to a mid-point (1/4 to 1/2) throttle setting. This
will aid starting, especially in cold weather.
● Keep the battery fully charged.
● Match crankcase oil viscosity to the ambient
temperature, allowing the engine to crank
faster and start easier.
● For maximum engine life, allow the engine to
run at idle and cool down for one or two
minutes before stopping the engine.
Cooling System
● Fill the cooling system with a
pre-mixed
solu
-
tion of 50/50 antifreeze (ethylene glycol) and
distilled water.
IMPORTANT:
Solution must be pre-mixed
before putting it in the engine (adding pure
antifreeze into the radiator may cause damage
to the engine by causing overheating).
● Never mix different types/colors of coolants.
●
Maintain proper fluid levels
in the radiator
and overflow tank.
Air Cleaner System
● Use
only
Donaldson
®
air cleaner elements.
Aftermarket elements may not seal in the air
cleaner housing, allowing dirt to enter the
engine. Also, aftermarket filters often skimp on
the filtration media and require more frequent
cleaning and replacement (see following
instructions).
● Use the air filter restriction gauge to indicate
the need to service the air filter.
●
DO NOT overservice or frequently “disturb”
the air filter.
A dirty air filter actually cleans
better than a new one. Changing and cleaning
the air filter too often can actually reduce filter
efficiency and increase the opportunity for
traces of dust to enter the engine. Wait until
the element really needs servicing as indicated
by the air filter restriction gauge.
● When the air filter element is removed or
replaced, 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 little dirt left here will be
sucked into the engine and reduce engine life).
When the filter 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 any top quality oil with an API classifica-
tion of CF or greater.
DO NOT
use oil that is
rated for gasoline engines only (API SJ) as this
will cause problems with a diesel engine.
● Single viscosity or multi-viscosity oils may be
used as specified by the Kohler Operator’s
Manual, using the viscosity recommended to
match ambient temperature range for the
engine operation. This will
aid starting
in cold
weather and assure proper lubrication in hot
weather.
● Use only Kohler oil filters.
Aftermarket filters
may not seal properly
and/or have the incor-
rect pressure relief valve for proper lubrication.
