Kohler K361 Manual page 13

BATlERY: Us e 12 volt negative battery (-terminal ground) wi t h amp hour r ating of at least 32 for best
r esults. When batt ery i s in good condi t i on, each cell contribut es approximately 1.95 to 2.0 8 vol t s . If
the charge i s low and l es s than 0.05 volt dif ference is noted between the cells having the high es t and
l ow est re adings, the battery should be re charged. If the difference i s more than .0S volts, thi s could
indicate a cracked plate or other damage w hi ch could call for replacement of the battery.
A regu l ator may be blamed for an undercharged or repeatedly discharged battery w hen the fault i s
actually self-discharge caused by a build-up of corros iv e aci d acr oss t he t op of the battery. Even a
light coat ing of thi s grayish-white substance can complet e a circuit to drain and exhaust the energy in
the battery--this can be especially bad when m oi sture is present . Service as indicated in the following.
To maint ain a battery in t op condition, check and perform the following services at frequent inter-
vals:
1. Regularly check level of electrolyte--add water as necessary to maint ain l evel above plates
--do not over f i l l as this can cause poor perfonnance or early failure due to loss of electrol yte.
2. K eep terminal s and top of battery clean. Wash with baking soda and rinse wi th clear water. D o
not allow soda solution to enter cells as this will des t r oy the el ect r ol yt e .
starting motor
Precautions: In th e event of a "false start" (engine gets up suffici ent speed to disengage st ar ter but
fail s to continue running), the engine must be completely st opped before another starting attempt i s
made. If the fl~~heel i s st i ll rotating , the drive pinion mld ring gear will cl ash and be damaged.
Limit crmlking (continuous) to a per i od of 30 seconds to pr event overheating of the starter. If crmlked
for 30 seconds, starter should not be operated again for 60 seconds to allow time f or cooling.
Star t i ng mot ors do not require service at any specific intervals. They are pr e-lubricated dur ing
manufacture and brushes normally require attention only after extensive use- -see trouble analysis below.
Connections to star t i ng motor shoul d be checked occas i onal l y t o make sur e they ar e tight and that leads
are in good condi tion . The following pre cautions shoul d be observ ed on electric start models t o pr event
star ter damage and/or deple t i on of battery energy.
Trouble Nlal ys i s : If starter fails t o energize, first check wiring, starting switch or solenoid and
condition of battery. Clean or replace badly cor r oded or dirty contacts--replace wires if f r ayed or
cracked. Bypass st ar t swi t ch or sol enoi d with jumper wire--if starter cranks normally, replace def ect i ve
switch or solenoi d. If st ar ter turns t oo slowl y and battery i s in good condition, check for dirt;-
bru shes or commutat or . Further trouble analysis will require special test equipment available onl y at
authorized rep air stations.
Alignment : Al i gnment of starter pinion to r i ng gear is established by t he machined sur f ace of s ta~ t e T
m ounting flange on the side of the cylinder block and through special mounting bolts. To pr event
ills -
alignment and gear damage, make sure the proper should er bolts are used and that they are securel y
tightened at all times.
carburetor adi stmen
5
Carburetors are calibrated in the fa ctory and the main fuel system cannot be reset . If black
exaaust
smoke i s noted , check the ai r cleaner- -an "overrich" mixture is usually caused by a poorly serviced,
Clogg ed air cleaner element.
If idle readjustment becomes necessary, sto p the engine , then turn the ID LE fuel adjust ing scr ew ,
all the way in until i t bottoms lightly--don't f orce it closed as this will damage t he needle val ve .
For pr eliminary setting, turn th e IDLE
1-1/4
turn out . For final adjustments, st ar t engi ne and allow it
to warm. The IDLE fuel can then be set by turning th e adjus tment in until the engine slows down, N ow
t urn the screw out--the engine will r egain speed at first and then it will slow dOhn--note the positions
of screw at both se tt i ngs, then set it about half way between the two.
'governor adiustments
The governo r functions to maintain engine speed under changi ng load conditions and al so act s as a
speed limiting device . Governors ar e set in the factory and further adjustments should not be r equired
unl ess linkage w orks loo se or becomes disconnected. Readjustment shoul d be made
if
the engine sur ges with
changin g l oad or i f speed dr ops cons i der ably
l~hen
a normal l oad i s applied. Readjustment should be m ade
by a qual i f ie d person only.
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