Price Match Guarantee
In-stock parts ship the same day
365-Day Return Policy
Price Match GuaranteeGET PRO PRICING
Video & Articles: Appliance & Equipment RepairKohler Small Engine Replace Cylinder Head Gasket #12 041 10-S
Kohler Small Engine Replace Cylinder Head Gasket #12 041 10-S
Skill Level
Total Parts Cost
$18.53Estimated Savings
$112.5005:29
- Description
This video provides step-by-step repair instructions for replacing the cylinder head gasket on a single-cylinder Kohler small engine, which is commonly found in lawn mowers, riding tractors, zero-turn radius mowers, and commercial walk-behind mowers. The most common reason for replacing the cylinder head gasket is when making repairs to the small engine.
All of the information for this cylinder head gasket replacement video is applicable to the following brands:
Kohler, Toro, Exmark, John Deere
Tools needed: socket wrench, screwdriver, hammer, putty knife
All of the information for this cylinder head gasket replacement video is applicable to the following brands:
Kohler, Toro, Exmark, John Deere
Tools needed: socket wrench, screwdriver, hammer, putty knife
Step By Step Instructions
1
Before you begin this repair, make sure the engine has cooled remove the wire and boot from the spark plug or plugs
2
Then disconnect the cables from the battery; black first, then red.
3
You will now need to detach the muffler and its bracket.
4
Remove the nuts to release the muffler from the cylinder head.
5
Now use a socket to remove the two mounting screws with spacers securing the muffler bracket and set the muffler and bracket aside.
6
Remove the nuts securing the air filter housing.
7
Detach the breather tube and pull the housing off.
8
Remove the screws to release the regulator/rectifier.
9
Now remove the retaining bolts securing the blower housing and pull the housing off.
10
Remove the screws securing the cylinder head baffle and pull the baffle off.
11
Remove the remaining mounting screws securing the rocker cover.
12
Now use a flathead screwdriver and hammer to separate the rocker cover from the cylinder head.
13
Be aware some oil may spill out.
14
Loosen the bolts securing the rocker arms.
15
Rotate the rocker arms out of the way to pull out the push rods.
16
Remove the carburetor from the mounting bolts. then remove the bolts securing the cylinder head.
17
Note that the lower right bolt uses a spacer and washer.
18
Now pull off the cylinder head.
19
Remove the old gasket and use a putty knife to clean off any residue.
20
Install the new cylinder head gasket by positioning it on the engine block.
21
Now reposition the cylinder head. and reinstall the bolts.
22
Make sure the bolt with the spacer and washer is returned to its proper position.
23
Tighten the bolts in a star pattern to ensure the cylinder head is secured evenly.
24
Torque the bolts to manufacturer specifications.
25
Reposition the carburetor on the mounting bolts.
26
Now reinsert the push rods, align them with the rocker arms and tighten the bolts.
27
Use the putty knife to remove any sealant residue from the cylinder head and rocker cover.
28
Now apply a small bead of sealant to the rocker cover and align it with the cylinder head.
29
Secure the mounting screws on the right side of the cover and at the bottom.
30
Replace the baffle and secure the screws.
31
Reposition the blower housing and secure the retaining bolts.
32
Align the regulator/rectifier on the blower housing along with the grounding wire if applicable and secure with the mounting screws.
33
Reposition the air filter housing and insert the breather tube into the rocker cover.
34
Secure the nuts.
35
Reinstall the muffler and bracket by securing the bracket to the rocker cover using the screws with spacers.
36
Then secure the muffler pipe to the cylinder head with the nuts.
37
You can now reconnect the battery cables red first, then black.
38
Finally, reattach the wire and boot to the spark plug or plugs.
Description
This video provides step-by-step repair instructions for replacing the cylinder head gasket on a single-cylinder Kohler small engine, which is commonly found in lawn mowers, riding tractors, zero-turn radius mowers, and commercial walk-behind mowers. The most common reason for replacing the cylinder head gasket is when making repairs to the small engine.
All of the information for this cylinder head gasket replacement video is applicable to the following brands:
Kohler, Toro, Exmark, John Deere
Tools needed: socket wrench, screwdriver, hammer, putty knife
All of the information for this cylinder head gasket replacement video is applicable to the following brands:
Kohler, Toro, Exmark, John Deere
Tools needed: socket wrench, screwdriver, hammer, putty knife
Step-By-Step Instructions
1
Before you begin this repair, make sure the engine has cooled remove the wire and boot from the spark plug or plugs
2
Then disconnect the cables from the battery; black first, then red.
3
You will now need to detach the muffler and its bracket.
4
Remove the nuts to release the muffler from the cylinder head.
5
Now use a socket to remove the two mounting screws with spacers securing the muffler bracket and set the muffler and bracket aside.
6
Remove the nuts securing the air filter housing.
7
Detach the breather tube and pull the housing off.
8
Remove the screws to release the regulator/rectifier.
9
Now remove the retaining bolts securing the blower housing and pull the housing off.
10
Remove the screws securing the cylinder head baffle and pull the baffle off.
11
Remove the remaining mounting screws securing the rocker cover.
12
Now use a flathead screwdriver and hammer to separate the rocker cover from the cylinder head.
13
Be aware some oil may spill out.
14
Loosen the bolts securing the rocker arms.
15
Rotate the rocker arms out of the way to pull out the push rods.
16
Remove the carburetor from the mounting bolts. then remove the bolts securing the cylinder head.
17
Note that the lower right bolt uses a spacer and washer.
18
Now pull off the cylinder head.
19
Remove the old gasket and use a putty knife to clean off any residue.
20
Install the new cylinder head gasket by positioning it on the engine block.
21
Now reposition the cylinder head. and reinstall the bolts.
22
Make sure the bolt with the spacer and washer is returned to its proper position.
23
Tighten the bolts in a star pattern to ensure the cylinder head is secured evenly.
24
Torque the bolts to manufacturer specifications.
25
Reposition the carburetor on the mounting bolts.
26
Now reinsert the push rods, align them with the rocker arms and tighten the bolts.
27
Use the putty knife to remove any sealant residue from the cylinder head and rocker cover.
28
Now apply a small bead of sealant to the rocker cover and align it with the cylinder head.
29
Secure the mounting screws on the right side of the cover and at the bottom.
30
Replace the baffle and secure the screws.
31
Reposition the blower housing and secure the retaining bolts.
32
Align the regulator/rectifier on the blower housing along with the grounding wire if applicable and secure with the mounting screws.
33
Reposition the air filter housing and insert the breather tube into the rocker cover.
34
Secure the nuts.
35
Reinstall the muffler and bracket by securing the bracket to the rocker cover using the screws with spacers.
36
Then secure the muffler pipe to the cylinder head with the nuts.
37
You can now reconnect the battery cables red first, then black.
38
Finally, reattach the wire and boot to the spark plug or plugs.
Applicable Product Model
Parts Needed
Cylinder Head Gasket
$18.53
Total$0.00
Related Articles & Videos
Our Story
Family-owned and operated since 1912, Burke America Parts Group is the longest-running genuine appliance, HVAC, and outdoor power equipment parts solution in North America. At Repair Clinic, we're proud to be an international brand trusted by the pros as well as the DIY community.
About Repair Clinic
© 2026 RepairClinic.com