Specifications
| Oil capacity | 2.13 L |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 58 kg |
| Fuel tank | 5.68 L |
Maintenance & consumables
for the M16| Item | Spec | Capacity | Part # | 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| Item | Action | Hours | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | Change | 25 hr | First service — New or overhauled engine: change after first 5 hours | |
| Foam Precleaner | Clean | 25 hr | More frequently under dusty conditions | |
| Cooling Fins and External Surfaces | Clean | 50 hr | More frequently under dusty conditions | |
| Optional Reduction Gear Unit | Check | 50 hr | Check oil level | |
| Paper Air Cleaner Element | Clean | 100 hr | ||
| Spark Plug | Check | 100 hr | Reset gap or replace as necessary | |
| Cylinder Head and Combustion Chamber | Clean | 500 hr | 250 Hours when leaded gasoline is used | |
| Starter Motor Drive | Lubricate | 500 hr | 12 mo | Annually or 500 hours, whichever occurs first |
| Valve-To-Tappet Clearance | Check | 500 hr | Engine 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| Type | Item | Value | Unit | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearance | Balance gear end play | .002/.010 | in | |
| Clearance | Camshaft end play | .005/.010 | in | |
| Clearance | Crankshaft end play | .002/.023 | in | |
| Clearance | Crankshaft end play | .003/.020 | in | |
| Clearance | Cylinder head flatness (max variance) | .003 | in | |
| Clearance | Piston ring end gap (new) | .007/.017 | in | |
| Clearance | Piston ring end gap (new) | .010/.020 | in | |
| Clearance | Piston ring side clearance (max) | .006 | in | |
| Clearance | Piston-to-bore clearance (style A piston) | .007/.010 | in | |
| Clearance | Piston-to-bore clearance (style C piston) | .003/.005 | in | |
| Clearance | Piston-to-bore clearance (style D piston) | .0034/.0051 | in | |
| Clearance | Valve guide to valve stem clearance (exhaust) | .008 | in | max |
| Clearance | Valve guide to valve stem clearance (intake) | .006 | in | max |
| Gap | Carburetor float drop | 1-1/32 | in | |
| Gap | Carburetor float level | 11/64 (+ 1/32) | in | inverted carburetor |
| Gap | Ignition module to magnet air gap | .012/.016 | in | |
| Gap | Spark plug gap | 0.025 | in | |
| Pressure | Crankcase vacuum | 5 to 10 | in. water | engine at 3200 to 3600 RPM |
| Resistance | 70 Watt lighting stator | 0.3/0.5 | ohms | |
| Resistance | Ignition module secondary | 7,900 to 20,000 | ohms | |
| Resistance | Starter solenoid coil | 5.2/6.3 | ohms | |
| Speed | ACR flyweight transition speed | 600 | RPM | cranking |
| Speed | Idle speed (typical) | 1200 (+/- 75) | RPM | |
| Speed | Maximum engine speed | 3600 | RPM | no load |
| Torque | Air cleaner element cover nut | 50 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Bearing plate screw | 115 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Bearing plate screw | 35 | ft.lb | |
| Torque | Cam gear cover screws | 115 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Carburetor bowl retaining screw | 50/60 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Carburetor fuel inlet seat | 35/45 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Connecting rod nut (new service rod) | 140 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Connecting rod nut (new service rod) | 260 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Connecting rod nut (used/reinstalled rod) | 100 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Connecting rod nut (used/reinstalled rod) | 200 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Cylinder head cap screw | 15/20 | ft.lb | |
| Torque | Cylinder head cap screw / hex spacer screw | 25/30 | ft.lb | |
| Torque | Electric starter stop nut | 160 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Fan fastener | 115 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Flywheel fastener | 40/45 | ft.lb | |
| Torque | Flywheel fastener | 85/90 | ft.lb | |
| Torque | Fuel pump mounting screw | 40/45 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Governor arm palnut | 15 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Governor bushing nut | 100/120 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Ignition module mounting screw | 32 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Keyswitch nut | 90/100 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Oil Sentry switch max | 90 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Retractable starter center screw | 55/70 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Retractable starter center screw | 65/75 | in.lb | |
| Torque | Spark plug | 18/22 | ft.lb | |
| Valve clearance | Exhaust valve to tappet | .017/.019 | in | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake valve to tappet | .006/.008 | in | cold |
| Valve clearance | Intake valve to tappet | .008/.010 | in | cold |
| Voltage | Recommended battery | 12 | V | rating 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
| Fluid | Grade | Standard | Ambient | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | SAE 30 (straight 30-weight) | API Service Class SF or SG | Do not use multi-viscosity oils above 32 F (0 C) | ||
| Fuel | Unleaded 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 | |||
| Other | Kohler electric starter drive lubricant | Part 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
7Adjust Carburetor adjustment
⚠ Explosive Fuel! Gasoline is extremely flammable.
- Stop engine. Turn main fuel and idle fuel needles in until lightly bottomed.
- Set preliminary settings by turning needles out per model.
- Run engine at half-throttle 5-10 minutes to warm up.
- Set main fuel needle midway between rich and lean at wide open throttle.
- Set idle fuel needle at idle position; set idle speed to 1200 RPM.
Check Valve-To-Tappet Clearance adjustment
Tools: Flat feeler gauge
- Remove air cleaner assembly, carburetor, and breather assembly.
- Position crankshaft so piston is at top of compression stroke.
- Measure valve-to-tappet clearance with a flat feeler gauge (engine cold).
- On M10-M16, adjust by turning the adjusting screw on tappets.
- 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
- Make sure throttle linkage is connected to governor arm and carburetor throttle lever.
- Pull governor arm away from carburetor as far as it will go.
- Grasp end of cross shaft with pliers and turn counterclockwise as far as it will go.
- Tighten palnut on governor arm to 15 in. lb.
Setting Carburetor Float Level and Drop adjustment
Tools: Small screwdriver, .010 in feeler gauge
- Invert carburetor; float tab rests on fuel inlet needle. Set 11/64 in (+ 1/32) clearance; bend tab to adjust.
- Turn carburetor to normal position and let float drop; limit drop to 1-1/32 in; bend tab to adjust.
- Check float-to-float-hinge-tower clearance with .010 in feeler gauge; file towers if needed.
Change Oil maintenance
- Remove the oil drain plug and dipstick. Tilt engine slightly toward drain hole.
- Reinstall the drain plug and tighten securely.
- Fill with new oil of the proper type to the F mark on dipstick.
Storage Procedure maintenance
- Change oil while engine is still warm.
- Change reduction gear unit oil if equipped; run engine briefly to distribute oil.
- Drain fuel tank and fuel system (or run engine until empty).
- Remove spark plug; add one tablespoon engine oil; reinstall plug without lead; crank two or three revolutions.
- Turn engine until piston is at top of stroke; reinstall plug without lead.
- Clean exterior surfaces and coat exposed metal with a light film of oil.
- 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
- Install module, plain washers, and hex cap sems screws; move module away from flywheel and tighten slightly.
- Insert .018 in flat feeler gauge between magnet and module.
- Loosen screws so magnet pulls module down; tighten screws to 32 in. lb.
- Remove feeler gauge; final air gap should be .012/.016 in.
- 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
1Symptoms & remedies
| Symptom | Cause |
|---|---|
| Will Not Start | Improper 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
2Step-by-step procedures compiled from the Kohler service manual for this model.
Parts
6| Part # | Description | Qty | System | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 357 01 | Electric starter drive lubricant | 1 | Fluid | buy |
| RH-10 | Spark Plug (Champion or equiv.) | 1 | Spark plug | Amazon Amazon eBay eBay FridayParts $96.50 |
| 25 757 01 | Carburetor Repair Kit | 1 | Service part / kit | buy |
| 25 757 02 | Carburetor Repair Kit | 1 | Service part / kit | buy |
| 25 757 03 | Float Repair Kit | 1 | Service part / kit | buy |
| 25 757 05 | Throttle And Choke Shaft Replacement Kit | Service 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
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.