Kohler service-kit and filter lookup by engine specification
Use the Kohler engine model and specification number to choose a maintenance kit. The reference sheets below identify several SH, CH, CV and SV kits, but their family labels do not confirm every build. Compare the actual parts diagram and current supersessions before ordering an air filter, oil filter or plug.
Start with the kit’s actual contents
| Engine group | Kit | Air filter | Plug |
|---|---|---|---|
| SH255/SH265 | 18 78901-S | 18 08304 | 14 13203 |
| CH260/CH270 | 17 78901-S | 17 08323 | 25 13213 |
| CH395/CH440 | 17 78902-S | 17 08321 | 25 13223 |
| CV11–CV16, referencetype | 12 78901-S | 12 08305 | 25 13223 |
| CV11–CV16/CV460–CV493, referencetype | 12 78902-S | 12 08310 | 25 13223 |
| SV470–SV610 | 20 78901-S | 20 08306 | 25 13223 |
| SV710–SV740 | 32 78901-S | 32 08303 | 25 13223, two |
Genuine Parts Reference GuideE-2146-C and kit sheetE-2112-D are reference documents. Their part numbers can have current replacements. Keep suffixes and supplier-confirmed supersessions on the order instead of selecting a part by its similar appearance.
Filter shape is a rejection check, not proof of fit
The guide gives dimensions for several filters, including SH and CH elements. If an existing housing accepts a 2.5-inch element and the proposed part is 3inches across, that mismatch is enough to stop the order. Matching outer dimensions alone still does not establish seals, airflow, mounting or application.
The former page said one oil filter fit “all models.” Engines without that filter system cannot use it, and a generic premium filter is not necessarily the approved extended-life filter for a 300-hour oil schedule. The CV service guide explains that separate eligibility.
A twin kit can contain two plugs
TheSV710–SV740 row lists two plugs. For an example two-engine purchase, a single-cylinder kit plus a twin kit requires three plugs in total. Count the kit contents before buying additional loose plugs; the same part number on two invoices does not establish the same quantity.
Before fitting parts, disable the engine as its service instructions require. If the label is unreadable, ask a supplier to identify the engine from surviving type/specification information and photographs rather than guessing from the equipment’s brand badge.
Kohler engine filter, spark plug and maintenance kit part numbers
Kohler’s Genuine Parts Reference Guide lists the SH255 and SH265 maintenance kit as 18 789 01-S, holding air filter 18 083 04, pre-cleaner 18 083 05 and plug 14 132 03. The CH395 and CH440 use air filter 17 083 21-S and pre-cleaner 17 083 15-S, the CH260 and CH270 use 17 083 23-S, and the Command Pro CV series uses oil filter 52 050 02-S. Kohler says the numbers are for reference and that the exact part depends on the model and specification number on the engine.
The specification comparison is Kohler’s own.
Kohler prints these numbers as a reference and says to get the precise part from the engine’s model number, specification number and the Kohler parts lookup. Match the model and specification number on your engine before you buy, and disconnect the spark plug lead before any service.
The service parts Kohler lists, by engine
Kohler’s owner’s manuals for its small engines give the oil and plug, but not the filter numbers. Its Genuine Parts Reference Guide does, and it sells each engine’s air filter, pre-cleaner, plug and oil together as a maintenance kit. The table lists the kit and the parts inside it, as printed in Kohler’s guide and its maintenance kit sheet.
A dash means the kit does not include that item.
| Engine | Kit | Air filter | Pre-cleaner | Oil filter | Spark plug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SH255, SH265 (Courage) | 18 789 01-S | 18 083 04-S | 18 083 05-S | None in the kit | 14 132 03 |
| CH260, CH270 (Command Pro) | 17 789 01-S | 17 083 23-S | 17 083 12-S | None in the kit | 25 132 13 |
| CH395, CH440 (Command Pro) | 17 789 02-S | 17 083 21-S | 17 083 15-S | None in the kit | 25 132 23 |
| CV11 to CV16 (Command) | 12 789 01-S | 12 083 05-S | 12 083 08-S | 12 050 01 | 25 132 23 |
| CV11 to CV16, CV460 to CV493 (Command Pro) | 12 789 02-S | 12 083 10-S | 12 083 12-S | 52 050 02 | 25 132 23 |
| SV470 to SV610 (Courage) | 20 789 01-S | 20 083 06-S | 20 083 04-S | 52 050 02 | 25 132 23 |
| SV710 to SV740 (Courage twin) | 32 789 01-S | 32 083 03-S | 32 083 05-S | 52 050 02 | 25 132 23 (two) |
The kits for the SH, CH260, CH270, CH395 and CH440 also hold a bottle of oil and fuel treatment, and the Command and Courage single-cylinder kits with an oil filter hold a fuel filter as well: 25 050 07 for the Command CV11 to CV16, and 25 050 21 for the Command Pro CV and the Courage SV470 to SV610. The twin SV710 to SV740 kit holds fuel filter 25 050 22.
The filters on their own
| Item | Part number | What Kohler says it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Air filter, SH series | 18 083 04-S (retail 18 883 01-S1) | SH265; 4 in outside diameter, 2.4 in high |
| Air filter and pre-cleaner kit, SH series | 18 883 01-S | SH265 |
| Air filter, Command Pro | 17 083 21-S (retail 17 883 03-S1) | CH395 and CH440; 3 in outside diameter, 4.3 in high |
| Air filter, Command Pro | 17 083 23-S (retail 17 883 07-S1) | CH260 and CH270; 2.5 in outside diameter, 3.75 in high |
| Standard oil filter | 12 050 01-S | Kohler says it fits all models; 3 in wide by 2.6 in long |
| Premium oil filter | 52 050 02-S (retail 52 050 02-S1) | Most models; 3 in wide by 3.1 in long |
| Fuel filter, gravity-fed carburetors | 25 050 21-S | CH11 to CH16, CH410 to CH450, CV13 to CV16, CV430 to CV493, SV470 to SV620; 75 micron |
| Fuel filter, fuel pump-fed carburetors | 25 050 22-S | Command, Courage and 7000 series including SV470 to SV740; 51 micron |
| Spark plug, RH and XT series | 14 132 03-S | SH265, XT7 and XT800 |
| Spark plug, Command and Courage | 12 132 02-S | Kohler lists it for all Command and all Courage |
| Carburetor repair kit | 14 757 03-S | CH260, CH270, SH265 and XT6 to XT800 |
Kohler’s oil chart lists the SH series at 196 cc and 5.5 to 6.5 horsepower, with the Command Pro CH395 and CH440 at 277 to 429 cc, and says its capacities are for reference on dry engines, so read your own manual. The oil and plug for the SH265 are on the Kohler Courage SH page.
18 789 01-S
SH255 and SH265 kit
Air filter 18 083 04, pre-cleaner 18 083 05, plug 14 132 03.
17 083 21-S
CH395 and CH440 air filter
Pre-cleaner 17 083 15-S.
52 050 02-S
Premium oil filter
Most models; 12 050 01-S fits all.
Kohler engine filter, spark plug and maintenance kit part numbers: questions
What is the air filter part number for a Kohler SH265?
Kohler’s Genuine Parts Reference Guide lists 18 083 04-S for the SH265 air filter, also sold in the retail version 18 883 01-S1, and 18 083 05-S for the pre-cleaner. The filter is 4 inches in outside diameter and 2.4 inches high. Kohler also sells the two together as kit 18 883 01-S.
What is the Kohler SH265 maintenance kit number?
18 789 01-S, for the SH255 and SH265. It holds the air filter 18 083 04, the pre-cleaner 18 083 05, a spark plug 14 132 03, oil and fuel treatment 25 357 34. There is no oil filter in it, because the SH series takes none.
What spark plug does a Kohler SH265 take?
Kohler lists spark plug 14 132 03-S for the SH265, and the same plug for the XT7 and XT800. Its owner’s manual gives the gap, 0.030 inch, but not the plug type, and the Kohler part number is how to order the right one.
What is the air filter for a Kohler CH440?
17 083 21-S, also sold retail as 17 883 03-S1, with pre-cleaner 17 083 15-S. The same filter fits the CH395. It measures 3 inches in outside diameter by 4.3 inches high.
The CH440 maintenance kit is 17 789 02-S, and its spark plug is 25 132 23.
What is the air filter for a Kohler CH270 or CH260?
17 083 23-S, also sold retail as 17 883 07-S1, with pre-cleaner 17 083 12-S. It measures 2.5 inches in outside diameter by 3.75 inches high. The kit is 17 789 01-S, and the plug in the kit is 25 132 13.
What is the Kohler oil filter part number?
Kohler lists 12 050 01-S as the standard oil filter, which it says fits all models, and 52 050 02-S as the premium oil filter for most models, also sold retail as 52 050 02-S1. The premium one is a little longer, 3.1 inches against 2.6. Many small single-cylinder engines have no oil filter.
Which Kohler fuel filter do I need?
It depends on how the fuel reaches the carburetor. Kohler lists 25 050 21-S, 75 micron, for gravity-fed carburetors such as CH11 to CH16 and SV470 to SV620, and 25 050 22-S, 51 micron, for fuel pump-fed ones. Its fuel-injected engines take different, finer filters.
Are Kohler part numbers the same for every engine of one model?
Not always. Kohler’s guide says the information is for reference only, and to get the precise part you need the engine’s model, specification number and the Kohler parts lookup. Two engines with the same model number can have different specification numbers and different parts.
What does the -S at the end of a Kohler part number mean?
It marks a Kohler service part, and some parts also come in a retail version ending in -S1, like air filter 12 883 05-S1 next to 12 083 05-S. Kohler lists the retail and service numbers together, so either the -S or the -S1 number identifies the same filter.
What does a Kohler maintenance kit contain?
Kohler says its kits put the parts together at a saving over buying them separately. A single-cylinder kit holds the air filter, the pre-cleaner, the spark plug, oil and, on engines with them, the oil filter and fuel filter. The kit lists the exact part numbers for each engine.
What Kohler air filter fits a CV11 to CV16 Command Pro?
12 083 10-S, also sold retail as 12 883 10-S1, with pre-cleaner 12 083 12-S. It is 4.5 inches long and 3.3 inches high. The Command Pro CV11 to CV16 kit is 12 789 02-S, with oil filter 52 050 02, fuel filter 25 050 21 and plug 25 132 23.
Which Kohler engine service kit fits the Courage SV470 through SV610?
20 789 01-S, with air filter 20 083 06, pre-cleaner 20 083 04, oil filter 52 050 02, fuel filter 25 050 21 and spark plug 25 132 23. The air filter is 7.8 inches wide by 1.4 inches high. The SV710 to SV740 twin has its own kit, 32 789 01-S.