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Disassembly/Inspection and Service
KohlerEngines.com 18 690 01 Rev. B
Inspection and Service
After cleaning, check fl atness of cylinder head and 
corresponding top surface of crankcase, using a surface 
plate or piece of glass and feeler gauge. Maximum 
allowable out of fl atness is 0.1 mm (0.0039 in.).
Carefully inspect valve mechanism parts. Inspect valve 
springs and related hardware for excessive wear or 
distortion. Check valves and valve seats for evidence 
of deep pitting, cracks, or distortion. Check running 
clearance between valve stems and guides.
Hard starting, or loss of power accompanied by high 
fuel consumption may be symptoms of faulty valves. 
Although these symptoms could also be attributed to 
worn rings, remove and check valves fi rst. After removal, 
clean valve heads, faces, and stems with a power wire 
brush.
Then, carefully inspect each valve for defects such as 
warped head, excessive corrosion, or worn stem end. 
Replace valves found to be in bad condition.
Valve Guides
If a valve guide is worn beyond specifi cations, it will not 
guide valve in a straight line. This may result in burned 
valve faces or seats, loss of compression, and excessive 
oil consumption.
To check valve guide-to-valve stem clearance, 
thoroughly clean valve guide and, using a split-ball 
gauge, measure inside diameter of guide. Then, using 
an outside micrometer, measure diameter of valve stem 
at several points on stem where it moves in valve guide. 
Use largest stem diameter to calculate clearance by 
subtracting stem diameter from guide diameter. If intake 
or exhaust clearance exceeds specifi cations in Valve 
Specifi cation table, determine whether valve stem or 
guide is responsible for excessive clearance.
If guides are within limits but valve stems are worn 
beyond limits, install new valves.
Valve Seat Inserts
Hardened steel alloy intake and exhaust valve seat 
inserts are press-fi tted into cylinder head. Inserts are 
not replaceable but can be reconditioned if not too badly 
pitted or distorted. If cracked or badly warped, cylinder 
head should be replaced.
Recondition valve seat inserts following instructions 
provided with valve seat cutter being used. Cutting 
proper valve face angle, as specifi ed in Clearance 
Specifi cations table and proper valve seat angle (89.5°-
90°) will achieve desired 0° (1° full cut) interference 
angle where maximum pressure occurs on outside 
diameters of valve face and seat.
Lapping Valves
Reground or new valves must be lapped in, to provide 
proper fi t. Use a hand valve grinder with a suction cup 
for fi nal lapping. Lightly coat valve face with a fi ne grade 
of grinding compound, then rotate valve on seat with 
grinder. Continue grinding until a smooth surface is 
obtained on seat and on valve face. Thoroughly clean 
cylinder head in hot, soapy water to remove all traces of 
grinding compound. After drying cylinder head, apply a 
light coating of SAE 10 oil to prevent rusting.
Intake Valve Stem Seal
Some engines use a valve stem seal on intake valve.
Always use a new seal when valves are removed 
from cylinder head. Seals should also be replaced if 
deteriorated or damaged in any way. Never reuse an old 
seal.
Flywheel/Ignition Components
A
B
C
D
F
E
A
Flywheel Retaining 
Nut
B Drive Cup
C Flywheel Fan D Flywheel
E Flywheel Shield F Ignition Module
Remove Ignition Module
Remove screws securing ignition module to crankcase. 
Remove module.
Remove Flywheel
NOTE:  Whenever possible, an impact wrench should be 
used to loosen fl ywheel retaining nut. A fl ywheel 
strap wrench may be used to hold fl ywheel when 
loosening or tightening fl ywheel retaining nut.
NOTE:  Always use a puller to remove fl ywheel from 
crankshaft. Do not strike fl ywheel or crankshaft 
as these parts could become cracked or 
damaged.
1. Remove fl ywheel retaining nut.
2.  Remove drive cup and fan from fl ywheel.
3.  Remove screw and shield on right side of fl ywheel 
(required for use of puller in next step).
4. Remove fl ywheel from crankshaft using a suitable 
puller.
5. Remove fl ywheel key from crankshaft keyway.
Inspection
Inspect fl ywheel for cracks and fl ywheel keyway for 
damage. Replace fl ywheel if it is cracked. Replace 
fl ywheel, crankshaft, and key if fl ywheel key is sheared 
or keyway is damaged.