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Kohler KDI 1903M Engine

The Kohler KDI 1903M is a 1.86 L 3-cylinder natural engine rated at 1800 rpm, producing up to 22.2 kW. It powers generator sets from Kohler and SDMO, including the 15REOZK, K17, K20U and K22. It holds 8.9 L (2.4 gal) of oil and 6.8 L (1.8 gal) of coolant.

Also known as: Kohler KDI 1903M

Part of the Kohler KDI1903 engine family — 8 variants share parts & fitment.

1.86 L

Displacement

Cylinders

1800 rpm

Rated speed

22 kW

Gross power

On this pageSpecs Generator sets Maintenance FAQ Service intervals Torque & specs Fluids

Engine specifications

Oil capacity	8.9 L
Coolant capacity	6.8 L
Displacement	1.86 L
Cylinders	3
Aspiration	Natural
Rated speed	1800 rpm
Gross power	22 kW

Generator sets powered by this engine

Shared across brands: Kohler, SDMO

Kohler 15REOZK Kohler K17 Kohler K20U Kohler K22 Kohler KDI 1903 M SDMO K20U SDMO K22

How to read your Kohler engine serial & model number →

Common problems

The engine does not start
Cause: Sulphated battery terminals corroded
Fix: Clean the battery terminals
Slow acceleration
Cause: Clogged fuel filter
Fix: Replace the fuel filter
RPM instability at idle speed
Cause: Clogged fuel pipes
Fix: Contact KOHLER authorised workshops
Poor quality fuel
Fix: Clean the tank and refuel with quality fuel
Low idle speed
Cause: Clogged fuel pipes
Fix: Contact KOHLER authorised workshops
Excessive fuel consumption
Cause: High oil sump level
Fix: Replace the engine oil; if the problem persists, contact KOHLER authorised workshops
Engine starts but stops
Cause: Inefficient electrical connections
Fix: Clean the electrical contacts; if the problem persists, contact KOHLER authorised workshops
Engine overheats
Cause: Insufficient coolant level
Fix: Fill up to the level
Engine lost its initial performance
Cause: Clogged air filter
Fix: Replace with a new filter
Engine jerking
Cause: Clogged fuel pipes
Fix: Contact KOHLER authorised workshops
Blue smoke
Cause: High oil sump level
Fix: Replace the engine oil; if the problem persists, contact KOHLER authorised workshops

Compiled from service & troubleshooting documentation across every generator set that uses the Kohler KDI 1903M.

Maintenance schedule

Item	Spec	Capacity	Part #	Interval
Air filter			—
Fuel filter	Change Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter & Check Belt Tension		—	500 hr
Oil filter	Change Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter & Check Belt Tension		—	500 hr
Battery	Check Battery Electrolyte Level		—	50 hr
Belt	Change DC Alternator Belt. Check Starter & DC Alternator, Retighten Nuts and Bolts		—	2000 hr
Coolant		6.8 L	—
Oil	Change Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter & Check Belt Tension	10.6 L	—	500 hr
Spark plug	Adjust Belt Tension, Valve Clearance, Clean Vent tube, Change Air Filter		—	1000 hr

Pooled from every document that names this exact engine — confirm the interval and part number against your unit's serial number.

Service intervals

Item	Action	Hours	Months	Notes
oil	Change	500 hr		Minimum 500 hours oil change interval

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Service specifications

Type	Item	Value	Unit
Other	10 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	361.95	mm (14.25 in.)
Other	10 in. weld flange outside diameter C	406.4	mm (16.0 in.)
Other	10 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	12, 25.40	mm (1.00 in.)
Other	12 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	431.80	mm (17.00 in.)
Other	12 in. weld flange outside diameter C	482.6	mm (19.0 in.)
Other	12 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	12, 25.40	mm (1.00 in.)
Other	14 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	476.25	mm (18.75 in.)
Other	14 in. weld flange outside diameter C	533.4	mm (21.0 in.)
Other	14 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	12, 28.58	mm (1.13 in.)
Other	16 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	539.75	mm (21.25 in.)
Other	16 in. weld flange outside diameter C	596.9	mm (23.5 in.)
Other	16 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	16, 28.58	mm (1.13 in.)
Other	18 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	577.85	mm (22.75 in.)
Other	18 in. weld flange outside diameter C	635.0	mm (25.0 in.)
Other	18 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	16, 31.75	mm (1.25 in.)
Other	20 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	635.00	mm (25.00 in.)
Other	20 in. weld flange outside diameter C	698.5	mm (27.5 in.)
Other	20 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	20, 31.75	mm (1.25 in.)
Other	5 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	215.90	mm (8.50 in.)
Other	5 in. weld flange outside diameter C	241.30	mm (9.50 in.)
Other	5 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	8, 22.23	mm (0.88 in.)
Other	6 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	254.0	mm (10.0 in.)
Other	6 in. weld flange outside diameter C	279.4	mm (11.0 in.)
Other	6 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	8, 22.23	mm (0.88 in.)
Other	8 in. weld flange bolt circle diameter B	298.45	mm (11.75 in.)
Other	8 in. weld flange outside diameter C	342.9	mm (13.5 in.)
Other	8 in. weld flange quantity of bolts / bolt hole diameter D	8, 22.23	mm (0.88 in.)
Other	Weld flange angle A (10, 12, 14 in. nominal pipe size)	30	deg.
Other	Weld flange angle A (16, 18, 20 in. nominal pipe size)	22.5	deg.
Other	Weld flange angle A (5, 6, 8 in. nominal pipe size)	45	deg.

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Recommended fluids

Fluid	Grade	Standard	Ambient	Capacity	Notes
Fuel	No 1 Diesel (US) - ASTM D 975-09 B - Grade 1-D S 15 and No 2 Diesel (US) - ASTM D 975-09 B - Grade 2-D S 15, S 500 for mechanical models only	ASTM D 975-09 B

Extracted from the manufacturer documentation linked to this model. Values are copied as printed; confirm against your unit's manual and serial number.

Parts cataloged across the Kohler KDI1903 family

Part #	Description	Category
100-025-000	Air Filter	Air filter
401-2567	Cartridge dry-type air filter	Air filter
A-226955	Air cleaner assembly	Air filter
ED161816	KDI AIR FILTER DONALDSON 7” WITH SAFETY CARTRIDGE	Air filter
GM16944	Element, air cleaner	Air filter
GM66601	Element, Inner	Air filter
100-075-000	Belt	Belt
401-2571	Alternator belt (standard alternator)	Belt
401-2572	Poly-V alternator belt (heavy environmental condition)	Belt
401-2573	Poly-V alternator belt (standard condition)	Belt
100-060-000	Coolant Filter	Coolant filter
401-2574	Coolant (OAT)	Fluid
401-2575	Coolant (HOAT)	Fluid
100-045-000	Fuel Filter	Fuel filter
ED161817	KIT FUEL FEEDING PUMP WITH PRE-FILTER	Fuel filter
ED161820	KIT SECONDARY FEUL FILTER (WIF+CS+HEATER)	Fuel filter
ED0082051340-S	COV.HEAD GASK.-OR SET 1903 TCR	Gasket
ED0082051360-S	COV.HEAD GASK.-OR SET 1903 M	Gasket
ED161746	KIT AIR GRID HEATER + GASKETS (FOR LOW TEMPERATURES)	Gasket
401-2568	Intake manifold hose (air filter - intake manifold)	Hose
401-2569	Coolant hoses	Hose
401-2570	Fuel line hose	Hose
GM22310	Hose, Reducer	Hose
GM88850	Hose, Air Intake (Item 5)	Hose
100-030-000	Oil Filter	Oil filter
ED161799	KIT REMOTE OIL FILTER (KDI 1903TCR ONLY)	Oil filter
401-2576	ATS (Engine)	Service part / kit
ED0053029490	2.5 Blue smoke	Service part / kit
ED0072455190	CONTROL PANEL KDI-TCR STAGE V	Service part / kit
ED161789	KIT CAB HEATER PROVISION	Service part / kit
ED161815	KDI M - VEHICLE WIREHARNESS	Service part / kit
ED161818	KDI COUNTER CONNECTOR ACCESSORIES	Service part / kit
ED161821	KDI TCR VEHICLE HARNESS (2186-499)	Service part / kit
ED161822	KDI BATTERY HARNESS (2186-406)	Service part / kit
ED161823	KIT THROTTLE CONTROL PEDAL + COUNTER CONNECTOR	Service part / kit
ED161824	KIT THROTTLE CONTROL KNOB + COUNTER CONNECTOR	Service part / kit
ED161825	KIT THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER + COUNTER CONNECTOR	Service part / kit
273377	Gauge, restriction	Sensor
ED161819	KIT COUNTER CONNECTOR WATER IN FEUL SENSOR	Sensor
100-090-000	Spark Plug	Spark plug

Parts cataloged across all variants of this engine family — verify the exact part fits your specific variant and serial number before ordering.

Aftermarket parts that fit this engine

ED0021753200-S Amazon eBay $17.99 NAPA $43.91 FridayParts $68.86 ED0021752800-S Amazon eBay $22.90 FridayParts $19.99

Parts listed by aftermarket suppliers as fitting this engine — leads compiled from supplier catalogs; verify the exact part for your serial number.

Common questions

What is the oil capacity of the Kohler KDI 1903M?

The Kohler KDI 1903M engine has an oil capacity of 8.9 liters.

What is the displacement of the Kohler KDI 1903M?

The Kohler KDI 1903M has a displacement of 1.86 liters with 3 cylinders.

Which generators use the Kohler KDI 1903M engine?

The Kohler KDI 1903M powers 7 generator set(s), including Kohler 15REOZK, Kohler K17, Kohler K20U, Kohler K22, Kohler KDI 1903 M.

How often should you change the oil in the Kohler KDI 1903M?

The Kohler KDI 1903M oil change interval is every 500 hours.

What is a common problem with the Kohler KDI 1903M engine?

A commonly reported issue on generators using the Kohler KDI 1903M is: The engine does not start. Cause: Sulphated battery terminals corroded. Fix: Clean the battery terminals.