This document is an owner's manual for the KOHLER 2000 Series engines, specifically models RH255 and RH265. It provides essential information for the safe operation and maintenance of these engines.
Function Description
The KOHLER 2000 Series engines are internal combustion engines designed to power various equipment. The manual emphasizes the importance of reading all safety precautions and instructions before operation, and refers users to the operating instructions of the equipment powered by the engine. It also highlights the need to stop and level the engine before performing any maintenance or service to ensure safety and proper procedures. The engine's design incorporates features to meet applicable emission regulations, with specific guidance on exhaust system backpressure limits available on KohlerEngines.com.
Usage Features
The manual outlines a comprehensive pre-start checklist to ensure the engine is ready for operation. This includes checking oil and fuel levels, cleaning cooling and air intake areas, and verifying that all engine components, shrouds, and guards are securely in place. It also advises checking the spark arrestor if equipped.
Starting procedures are detailed for both cold and warm engines, differentiating between retractable and electric start methods. For retractable start, users are instructed to pull the handle slowly past compression-STOP, return it, and then pull firmly. For electric start, activating the switch and releasing it once the engine starts is key, with a warning against continuous cranking if the engine doesn't turn over. The manual also provides cold weather starting hints, such as using appropriate oil, disengaging external loads, and using fresh winter-grade fuel.
Stopping the engine involves removing any load by disengaging PTO driven attachments, moving the lever to the stop position, and closing the fuel shut-off valve if equipped.
The manual addresses high altitude operation, stating that a high altitude carburetor kit is required for operation at 4000 ft. (1219 meters) or above. Operating the engine with the wrong configuration at a given altitude can negatively impact emissions, fuel efficiency, performance, and potentially damage the engine. It also warns against tampering with the governor setting to increase maximum engine speed, as overspeeding is hazardous and voids the warranty.
Safety is a paramount concern, with warnings about explosive fuel, carbon monoxide, rotating parts, accidental starts, electrical shock, and hot parts. Users are cautioned against filling the fuel tank while the engine is hot or running, inhaling exhaust fumes, touching wires while the engine is running, and operating the engine without covers, shrouds, or guards. Before any servicing, the manual instructs users to disconnect and ground the spark plug lead(s) and disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental starts.
Maintenance Features
The manual provides a maintenance schedule, recommending an oil change after the first 5 hours of operation. Subsequently, every 100 hours or annually, users should clean/replace the foam element, replace the paper element, change the oil, clean cooling areas, clean the spark arrestor (if equipped), and replace the fuel filter (if equipped). It notes that these procedures should be performed more frequently under severe, dusty, or dirty conditions.
Oil recommendations specify the use of Kohler oils for best performance, or other high-quality detergent oils of API service class SJ or higher. The appropriate viscosity is determined by the air temperature at the time of operation. Instructions for checking oil level include removing and wiping the dipstick, reinserting it without threading, and checking the level at the top of the indicator. For engines with an oil fill plug, the level should be up to the point of overflowing the filler neck. Adding oil when low is crucial, and the manual warns against running the engine with oil levels below or above the operating range indicator.
Changing the oil involves cleaning the area around the oil fill cap/dipstick and drain plug, removing both, draining the oil completely, reinstalling the drain plug, filling the crankcase with new oil, and securely reinstalling the oil fill cap/dipstick. Proper disposal of used oil according to local ordinances is also emphasized.
The Oil Sentry™ system (if equipped) is described as a feature to prevent the engine from starting in a low or no oil condition, though it may not shut down a running engine before damage occurs.
Fuel recommendations specify clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 (R+M)/2 or higher, or a Research Octane Number (RON) of 90 minimum. Gasoline with up to 10% ethyl alcohol or methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) up to 15% by volume is acceptable. Users are warned not to add oil to gasoline, overfill the fuel tank, or use gasoline older than 30 days. E15, E20, and E85 fuels are explicitly not approved, and their use is not warrantable. Adding fuel requires cleaning the area around the fuel cap, removing it, filling to the base of the filler neck (leaving room for expansion), and securely reinstalling the cap. The manual also states that low permeation fuel line must be installed to maintain EPA and CARB regulatory compliance.
Spark plug maintenance involves cleaning the recess, checking and adjusting the gap with a wire feeler gauge, installing the plug into the cylinder head, and torquing it to the specified value.
Air cleaner maintenance involves unhooking the cover latch, removing the cover, and replacing the paper element. For the foam element, it should be removed, washed in warm water with detergent, rinsed, and allowed to air dry before reinstallation. The manual warns that operating the engine with loose or damaged air cleaner components can cause premature wear and failure, and that paper elements cannot be blown out with compressed air.
Proper air cooling is essential to prevent overheating. This involves cleaning screens, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine, and avoiding spraying water at wiring harnesses or electrical components.
For repairs and service parts, the manual recommends using a Kohler authorized dealer.
Storage instructions for engines out of service for 2 months or more include adding Kohler PRO Series fuel treatment (or equivalent) to the fuel tank and running the engine for 2-3 minutes to stabilize the fuel system. It also advises changing the oil, pouring about 1 oz. of engine oil into the cylinder(s) after removing the spark plug(s), replacing the spark plug(s), and cranking the engine slowly to distribute the oil. Disconnecting the negative battery cable and storing the engine in a clean, dry place are also recommended.
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