Important Tips For Care Of The Kohler Engine; Fuel System; Starting/Stopping; Cooling System - Walker T23 Operator's Manual

Maintenance Instructions
Kohler Tips
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CARE OF THE
KOHLER ENGINE

Fuel System

● Fuel must be clean—free from water, dirt, and
or ganic material.
● Change the fuel filter on a regular basis and
when contamination is suspected or found in
the fuel.

Starting/Stopping

● Start engine with the throttle advanced off idle
(1/4 to 1/2 throttle). This will aid starting, espe-
cially in cold weather.
● Keep the battery fully charged.
● Match crankcase oil viscosity to the ambient
tem perature, allowing the engine to crank
faster and start easier.
● Allow engine to run at idle for a few seconds
be fore stopping engine to avoid run-on or
backfiring.

Cooling System

DO NOT use water or a pressure washer to
clean the cooling system on an air-cooled
engine; mud may form under the cooling
shroud on the cylinder head and cooling
fan resulting in engine overheating.
● Keep engine air intake screen and cylinder
head fins free of grass clippings, chaff, and
dirt. Inspect intake screen and cooling fins for
cleanliness and no damage.
● Periodically remove two access panels in the
en gine shroud to inspect and clean cylinder
head cool ing fins.
● Check performance of the cooling system by
starting the engine, holding a hand adjacent to
the cylinder head, and feeling the cooling
airflow.
56
CAUTION
DANGER
Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust
pipe, muffler, and moving parts when
checking airflow.
● Operate the engine at full speed when
mowing. This allows the engine to produce full
horsepower and move more cooling air
through the engine cool ing fins.

Air Cleaner System

● Use only Donaldson air cleaner elements.
After market elements may not seal in the air
cleaner housing, allowing dirt to enter the
engine. Also, af termarket filters often skimp on
the filtration media and require more frequent
replace ment (see following instructions).
● Use the air filter restriction gauge to indicate
the need to service the air filter.
● Do frequently check the Turbine Precleaner
for free movement of the internal fan.
DO NOT overservice or frequently "disturb"
●
the air filter. A dirty air filter actually cleans
better than a new one. Changing and cleaning
the air filter too often can actually reduce filter
efficiency and in crease the opportunity for
traces of dust to enter the engine. Wait until
the element really needs servicing as indicated
by the air filter restriction gauge.
● When the air filter element is removed or
re placed, make sure all dust is cleaned out of
the air cleaner housing and hose. Use a
damp cloth and wipe the interior of the canister
and hose clean (a lit tle dirt left here will be
sucked into the engine and reduce engine life).
When the filter is reinstalled, make sure the
element is held tight and straight in the
canister for proper seating and sealing.
● Periodically check the air intake hose for cuts,
nicks, etc., and the hose clamps for tightness.

Oil

● Use only multi-viscosity oils as specified with
the viscosity matching ambient temperatures
for the en gine operating conditions. This will
aid starting in cold weather and assure proper
lubrication in hot weather.
T23