The Kohler SV541 is a single-cylinder air-cooled four-stroke internal combustion gasoline engine from the Courage series, manufactured by Kohler Co. The displacement of this engine is 535 cc, (32.6 cu·in) for models SV541-00XX and SV541-01XX or 597 cc, (36.4 cu·in) for models SV541-02XX and higher.
The Kohler SV541 engine has an OHV (overhead valve) design, aluminum head and crankcase with cast iron cylinder liner, micro-polished crankshaft bearings, vertical PTO-shaft, and pressurized lubrication system. This engine is equipped with a carburetor with a fixed main jet and an electronic ignition system.
The cylinder bore is 89.0 mm (3.50 in) for SV541-00XX and SV541-01X engines or 94.0 mm (3.70 in) for models SV541-02XX and higher. The piston stroke is 86.0 mm (3.39 in) for all versions. The compression ratio rating is 8.5:1. The SV541 engine produced 18.2 PS (13.4 KW; 18.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm of horsepower and 43.5 Nm (4.44 kg·m; 32.1 ft·lb) of torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- S – Courage series
- V – Vertical PTO shaft
- 541 – Numerical designation
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Model | Courage SV541 |
| Type | 4-stroke, OHV, single-cylinder |
| Displacement | SV541-00XX, SV541-01XX: 535 cm3 (32.6 cu·in) SV541-02XX and higher: 597 cm3 (36.4 cu-in) |
| Max. horsepower | 18.2 PS (13.4 KW; 18.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm |
| Max. torque | 43.5 Nm (4.44 kg·m; 32.1 ft·lb) |
| Fuel system | Carburetor with a fixed main jet |
| Cooling system | Forced-air |
| Ignition system | Electronic ignition system |
| Lubricating system | Pressurized lubrication |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Fuel used | Unleaded gasoline (octane number 86 or higher) |
| Fuel tank capacity | – |
Cylinder Block and Head
| Cylinder block | ||
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 | |
| Bore x Stroke | SV541-00XX, SV541-01XX: 89.0 X 86.0 mm (3.50 x 3.39 in) SV541-02XX and higher: 94.0 X 86.0 mm (3.70 x 3.39 in) | |
| Sleeve internal diameter | SV541-00XX, SV541-01XX: 89.010-89.035 mm (3.504-3.505 in.) SV541-02XX and higher: 94.010-94.035 mm (3.701-3.702 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Piston pin outer diameter | 21.995-22.000 mm (0.8659-0.8661 in) | |
| Main journal diameter | Flywheel End | Before S/N 3703200003: 44.913-44.935 mm (1.7682-1.7691 in) After S/N 3703200013: 44.870-44.895 mm (1.7665-1.7675 in) |
| PTO End | Before S/N 3703200003: 41.913-41.935 mm (1.6501-1.6510 in) After S/N 3703200013: 41.855-41.880 mm (1.6478-1.6488 in) | |
| Cylinder Head | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV | |
| Valves: | 2 (2 per cylinder) | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 37.375-37.625 mm (1.4715-1.4813 in) |
| EXHAUST | 32.125-32.375 mm (1.2648-1.2746 in) | |
| Stem outer diameter: | INTAKE | 5.982-6.000 mm (0.2355-0.2362 in) |
| EXHAUST | 5.970-5.988 mm (0.235-0.2357 in) | |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | |
| Cylinder head bolt | Step 1: 20.5 Nm (2.1 kg·m; 15.1 ft·lb) Step 2: 41.0 Nm (4.2 kg·m; 30.3 ft·lb) |
| Flywheel | M12: 88.0 Nm (9.0 kg·m; 65.0 ft·lb) M10: 66.5 Nm (6.7 kg·m; 48.7 ft·lb) |
| Spark plug | 27 Nm (2.75 kg·m; 20.0 ft·lb) |
Service Information
| Valve clearance | |
| Intake valve clearance | 0.127 mm (0.005 in) |
| Exhaust valve clearance | 0.178 mm (0.007 in) |
| Oil system | |
| Oil type | API SJ or higher |
| Recommended oil | SAE 10W-30 |
| Oil capacity | 1.5 L (1.59 US. qt, 1.32 Imp. qt.) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | Champion RC12YC |
| Spark plug gap | 0.76 mm (0.030 in) |
Author:
Isn’t 30 wt. oil better for summer use?
No. Always opt for a multi-viscosity when given the choice. 30w straight is old school thought for older motors that had much looser bearing tolerances. Nowadays everything is much tighter for efficiency, hence why so many newer cars run 0 weight -30 , or 0 to 5w -40’s.. I always think of the first number the weight as starting thickness (cold), and the second number is thickness and lubrication ability at full operating temperature. Most wear occurs at startup so you want something thinner to lubricate those bearings and cam journals . I’ve seen many a big cam race cars and hotrods using 30 weight to find later on tear down their cam lobes are wiped from running a straight 30W. Tractors are much different , but at the same time you still want thinner oil on start up. I’d also run a Wix filter if given a preference and your motor calls for it. Some do and some small engines do not. I run Amsoil in everything but it’s not absolutely necessary .