Kohler CV173 Generator Set

Tools: Pliers

1. Make this adjustment whenever governor arm is loosened or removed from cross shaft; ensure throttle linkage is connected to both governor arm and throttle lever on carburetor.
2. Loosen nut holding governor lever to cross shaft.
3. Move governor lever away from carburetor (wide open throttle) and hold; do not apply excess force that may flex or distort throttle link.
4. Grasp cross shaft with pliers and turn clockwise as far as it will go, hold and tighten nut; torque nut to 9.5 N·m (84 in. lb.).

1. Make adjustments only after engine has warmed up.
2. Place throttle control into idle or slow position.
3. Turn low idle speed adjusting screw in or out to obtain idle speed of 1800 RPM (± 75 RPM).

Tools: Compression tester

1. Perform on a warm engine; clean dirt and debris away from base of spark plug before removing it.
2. Be sure battery is fully charged, choke is off, and throttle is wide open during test.
3. Compression should be at least 160 psi and should not vary more than 15% between cylinders.
4. On recoil start models with ACR, use cylinder leakdown test instead for accurate reading.

⚠ Carbon Monoxide can cause severe nausea, fainting or death. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed spaces.

⚠ Rotating Parts can cause severe injury. Stay away while engine is in operation.

Tools: Water manometer, Vacuum/pressure gauge (inches of water gauge only), Rubber stopper, Tapered adapters, Pinch clamp

1. With manometer: insert rubber stopper into oil fill hole, connect hose between stopper and one manometer tube, leave other tube open; check water level at 0 line and pinch clamp closed.
2. Start engine and run no-load high speed.
3. Open clamp and note water level; level in engine side should be minimum 10.2 cm (4 in.) above open side.
4. Close pinch clamp before stopping engine.
5. With vacuum/pressure gauge: remove dipstick or oil fill plug/cap and install adapter into oil fill/dipstick tube opening.
6. Insert barbed gauge fitting into hole in stopper.
7. Run engine and observe gauge reading; crankcase vacuum should be minimum 10.2 cm (4 in.) of water.

Tools: Dual gauge cylinder leakdown tester, 12 mm x 14 mm adapter (if required), Breaker bar and holding tool

1. Run engine until oil temperature reaches and maintains 150°F (66°C) or more for a minimum of 5 minutes under normal load.
2. Remove spark plug(s) and air filter.
3. Rotate crankshaft until piston of cylinder being tested is at TDC of compression stroke and hold in position.
4. Connect an air source (at least 100 PSI) to tool.
5. Turn regulator knob clockwise; confirm both gauges read approximately the same air pressure from 0 to 80 PSI; release pressure before proceeding.
6. Install adapter hose into spark plug hole (use 12 mm x 14 mm adapter if required).
7. Firmly hold engine at TDC; connect adapter hose to tool quick connect; turn regulator clockwise until left gauge reads 20 PSI.
8. Slowly turn regulator knob clockwise until left hand gauge maintains selected test pressure (80 PSI for engines over 200 cc or high leakage at 35 PSI; 35 PSI for single cylinder walk-behind push mower
9. Compare right gauge reading to Test Pressure Chart to identify percentage of leakage; refer to Leakdown Test Results chart for action.
10. For leakage in yellow or red zone, repeat test procedure after operating engine under normal load; confirm piston at TDC.
11. Turn pressure regulator knob to zero (counterclockwise) after each test to prevent gauge damage.

⚠ Explosive Fuel can cause fires and severe burns. Do not fill fuel tank while engine is hot or running.

Tools: Approved fuel container

1. Check for fuel in combustion chamber: disconnect and ground spark plug lead, close choke, crank engine several times, remove spark plug and check for fuel at tip.
2. Check fuel flow from tank to carburetor: remove fuel line from inlet fitting of carburetor.
3. Use an approved fuel container to catch fuel and hold line below bottom of tank to observe fuel flow.
4. If fuel flows, check for faulty carburetor; if no fuel flows, check fuel tank vent, outlet filter threaded into tank, and fuel line.

⚠ Disconnect spark plug lead(s) before servicing.

1. Change oil while engine is warm. Clean area around oil fill cap/dipstick and drain plug.
2. Remove drain plug and oil fill cap/dipstick; drain oil into appropriate container.
3. Clean area around oil filter; remove clean oil change screw; slowly remove filter; wipe mounting surface.
4. Apply thread sealant around three full threads of drain plug; reinstall and torque to 13.6 N·m (120 in. lb.).
5. Reinstall clean oil change screw; torque to 14.7 N·m (130 in. lb.).
6. Apply thin film of clean oil to rubber gasket on new filter; install per filter instructions.
7. Fill crankcase with new oil to top of dipstick indicator.
8. Reinstall oil fill cap/dipstick and tighten securely.
9. Start engine, check for leaks, stop engine, correct leaks and recheck oil level.
10. Dispose of used oil and filter per local ordinances.

1. Ensure engine is cool and level; clean oil fill cap/dipstick areas of debris.
2. Remove dipstick; wipe oil off.
3. Reinsert dipstick into tube; press completely down and turn 1/4 turn.
4. Remove dipstick; level should be at top of indicator.
5. If low, add oil up to top of indicator mark.
6. Reinstall and secure dipstick.

1. Move bails on air cleaner cover down; remove latches from under tabs on base; remove cover.
2. Separate precleaner from element; service precleaner and replace paper element.
3. Install new paper element on base; install precleaner over paper element.
4. Reinstall cover and place latches under tabs on base; lift up bails to secure cover.

1. Remove precleaner from paper element.
2. Replace or wash precleaner in warm water with detergent; rinse and air dry.
3. Lightly oil precleaner with new engine oil; squeeze out excess oil.
4. Reinstall precleaner over paper element.

1. Add Kohler PRO Series fuel treatment or equivalent to fuel tank; run engine 2-3 minutes to get stabilized fuel into fuel system.
2. Change oil while engine is still warm (not required if using KOHLER PRO 10W-50 full-synthetic oil).
3. 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.
4. Store engine in a clean, dry place.

Tools: Inductive tachometer (digital)

1. Run engine for 5-10 minutes between idle and mid-range.
2. Adjust throttle and choke controls and high speed screw on speed control bracket as necessary; maximum engine speed must not exceed recommended RPM (CV173: 3300 RPM; CV200, CV224: 3500 RPM).
3. Adjust carburetor low idle speed screw so low idle speed is set to 1800 RPM or application specifications.