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Kohler M16 Generator Set

The Kohler M16 is a generator set powered by a M16 engine. It holds about 2.13 L (0.6 gal) of oil. The set weighs about 58.5 kg (129 lb). An integrated tank holds 5.68 L (1.5 gal).

0.5882 L
Displacement
2.13 L
Oil capacity
4
Document types

How to read your Kohler serial & model number →

Specifications

Oil capacity2.13 L
Dry weight58 kg
Fuel tank5.68 L

Engine

M16
Displacement0.5882 L

Maintenance & consumables

for the M16
ItemSpecCapacityPart #Interval
Air filter—700 hr
Fuel filter—
Oil filter—2500 hr
Battery—200 hr
Belt—
Coolant—
Oil—25 hr
Spark plug—200 hr

Service intervals

9
ItemActionHoursMonthsNotes
OilChange25 hrFirst service — New or overhauled engine: change after first 5 hours
Foam PrecleanerClean25 hrMore frequently under dusty conditions
Cooling Fins and External SurfacesClean50 hrMore frequently under dusty conditions
Optional Reduction Gear UnitCheck50 hrCheck oil level
Paper Air Cleaner ElementClean100 hr
Spark PlugCheck100 hrReset gap or replace as necessary
Cylinder Head and Combustion ChamberClean500 hr250 Hours when leaded gasoline is used
Starter Motor DriveLubricate500 hr12 moAnnually or 500 hours, whichever occurs first
Valve-To-Tappet ClearanceCheck500 hrEngine must be cold

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

53
TypeItemValueUnitCondition
ClearanceBalance gear end play.002/.010in
ClearanceCamshaft end play.005/.010in
ClearanceCrankshaft end play.002/.023in
ClearanceCrankshaft end play.003/.020in
ClearanceCylinder head flatness (max variance).003in
ClearancePiston ring end gap (new).007/.017in
ClearancePiston ring end gap (new).010/.020in
ClearancePiston ring side clearance (max).006in
ClearancePiston-to-bore clearance (style A piston).007/.010in
ClearancePiston-to-bore clearance (style C piston).003/.005in
ClearancePiston-to-bore clearance (style D piston).0034/.0051in
ClearanceValve guide to valve stem clearance (exhaust).008inmax
ClearanceValve guide to valve stem clearance (intake).006inmax
GapCarburetor float drop1-1/32in
GapCarburetor float level11/64 (+ 1/32)ininverted carburetor
GapIgnition module to magnet air gap.012/.016in
GapSpark plug gap0.025in
PressureCrankcase vacuum5 to 10in. waterengine at 3200 to 3600 RPM
Resistance70 Watt lighting stator0.3/0.5ohms
ResistanceIgnition module secondary7,900 to 20,000ohms
ResistanceStarter solenoid coil5.2/6.3ohms
SpeedACR flyweight transition speed600RPMcranking
SpeedIdle speed (typical)1200 (+/- 75)RPM
SpeedMaximum engine speed3600RPMno load
TorqueAir cleaner element cover nut50in.lb
TorqueBearing plate screw115in.lb
TorqueBearing plate screw35ft.lb
TorqueCam gear cover screws115in.lb
TorqueCarburetor bowl retaining screw50/60in.lb
TorqueCarburetor fuel inlet seat35/45in.lb
TorqueConnecting rod nut (new service rod)140in.lb
TorqueConnecting rod nut (new service rod)260in.lb
TorqueConnecting rod nut (used/reinstalled rod)100in.lb
TorqueConnecting rod nut (used/reinstalled rod)200in.lb
TorqueCylinder head cap screw15/20ft.lb
TorqueCylinder head cap screw / hex spacer screw25/30ft.lb
TorqueElectric starter stop nut160in.lb
TorqueFan fastener115in.lb
TorqueFlywheel fastener40/45ft.lb
TorqueFlywheel fastener85/90ft.lb
TorqueFuel pump mounting screw40/45in.lb
TorqueGovernor arm palnut15in.lb
TorqueGovernor bushing nut100/120in.lb
TorqueIgnition module mounting screw32in.lb
TorqueKeyswitch nut90/100in.lb
TorqueOil Sentry switch max90in.lb
TorqueRetractable starter center screw55/70in.lb
TorqueRetractable starter center screw65/75in.lb
TorqueSpark plug18/22ft.lb
Valve clearanceExhaust valve to tappet.017/.019incold
Valve clearanceIntake valve to tappet.006/.008incold
Valve clearanceIntake valve to tappet.008/.010incold
VoltageRecommended battery12Vrating at least 32 amp.hr./250

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

FluidGradeStandardAmbientCapacityNotes
Engine oilSAE 30 (straight 30-weight)API Service Class SF or SGDo not use multi-viscosity oils above 32 F (0 C)
FuelUnleaded gasoline, pump octane 87 or higher (90 octane minimum Research method)Gasohol up to 10% ethyl alcohol approved; MTBE blends up to 15% approved; other blends not approved
OtherKohler electric starter drive lubricantPart No. 52 357 01; required on all Kohler electric starter drives

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

Procedures

7
Adjust Carburetor adjustment

⚠ Explosive Fuel! Gasoline is extremely flammable.

  1. Stop engine. Turn main fuel and idle fuel needles in until lightly bottomed.
  2. Set preliminary settings by turning needles out per model.
  3. Run engine at half-throttle 5-10 minutes to warm up.
  4. Set main fuel needle midway between rich and lean at wide open throttle.
  5. Set idle fuel needle at idle position; set idle speed to 1200 RPM.
Check Valve-To-Tappet Clearance adjustment

Tools: Flat feeler gauge

  1. Remove air cleaner assembly, carburetor, and breather assembly.
  2. Position crankshaft so piston is at top of compression stroke.
  3. Measure valve-to-tappet clearance with a flat feeler gauge (engine cold).
  4. On M10-M16, adjust by turning the adjusting screw on tappets.
  5. On M8, grind valve stems if too small, or replace valves if too large.
Governor Initial Adjustment adjustment

⚠ Overspeed Is Hazardous! Maximum allowable speed is 3600 RPM, no load.

Tools: Pliers

  1. Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor arm and carburetor throttle lever.
  2. Pull governor arm away from carburetor as far as it will go.
  3. Grasp end of cross shaft with pliers and turn counterclockwise as far as it will go.
  4. Tighten palnut on governor arm to 15 in. lb.
Setting Carburetor Float Level and Drop adjustment

Tools: Small screwdriver, .010 in feeler gauge

  1. Invert carburetor; float tab rests on fuel inlet needle. Set 11/64 in (+ 1/32) clearance; bend tab to adjust.
  2. Turn carburetor to normal position and let float drop; limit drop to 1-1/32 in; bend tab to adjust.
  3. Check float-to-float-hinge-tower clearance with .010 in feeler gauge; file towers if needed.
Change Oil maintenance
  1. Remove the oil drain plug and dipstick. Tilt engine slightly toward drain hole.
  2. Reinstall the drain plug and tighten securely.
  3. Fill with new oil of the proper type to the F mark on dipstick.
Storage Procedure maintenance
  1. Change oil while engine is still warm.
  2. Change reduction gear unit oil if equipped; run engine briefly to distribute oil.
  3. Drain fuel tank and fuel system (or run engine until empty).
  4. Remove spark plug; add one tablespoon engine oil; reinstall plug without lead; crank two or three revolutions.
  5. Turn engine until piston is at top of stroke; reinstall plug without lead.
  6. Clean exterior surfaces and coat exposed metal with a light film of oil.
  7. Store engine in a clean, dry place.
Remove and Install Ignition Module (air gap setting) repair

Tools: Flat feeler gauge or shim stock, Torque wrench

  1. Install module, plain washers, and hex cap sems screws; move module away from flywheel and tighten slightly.
  2. Insert .018 in flat feeler gauge between magnet and module.
  3. Loosen screws so magnet pulls module down; tighten screws to 32 in. lb.
  4. Remove feeler gauge; final air gap should be .012/.016 in.
  5. Rotate flywheel to confirm magnet does not strike module.

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

Common questions

What engine does the Kohler M16 use?

The Kohler M16 is powered by the M16 engine.

What is the oil capacity of the Kohler M16?

The Kohler M16 has an engine oil capacity of 2.13 liters (2.3 US quarts), per the manufacturer specification sheet.

What is the dry weight of the Kohler M16?

The Kohler M16 has a dry weight of 58 kg (128 lb).

What size fuel tank does the Kohler M16 have?

The Kohler M16 has a 5.68 liter (2 US gallon) fuel tank.

Troubleshooting

1

Symptoms & remedies

SymptomCause
Will Not StartImproper Fuel, Dirty Air Cleaner, Incorrect Spark Plug

Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.

Repair guides

2

Step-by-step procedures compiled from the Kohler service manual for this model.

Parts

6
Part #DescriptionQtySystem
52 357 01Electric starter drive lubricant1Fluid buy
RH-10Spark Plug (Champion or equiv.)1Spark plug Amazon Amazon eBay eBay FridayParts $96.50
25 757 01Carburetor Repair Kit1Service part / kit buy
25 757 02Carburetor Repair Kit1Service part / kit buy
25 757 03Float Repair Kit1Service part / kit buy
25 757 05Throttle And Choke Shaft Replacement KitService part / kit buy

Service, wear & replacement parts referenced for this model and its engine — confirm the exact part for your serial number. See the full parts catalog to search and cross-reference.

Available documents

Engine spec — Kohler-Magnum-Single-Cylinder-Engine-Specifications-and-Tolerances (Kohler)Owner's manual — 6008 (Kohler)Parts manual — Kohler Carburetor Reference Manual TP-2377-E (Kohler)Service manual — tp 2203 a (Kohler)

This page was generated from the 4 manufacturer documents above by automated extraction; every figure shown is copied from one of them. How the data is compiled.