Bill "Quick Question" J - all these guys are providing you good advice, such as different weight oils (per Kohler recommendations), maybe even a little kerosene if you stick with 30W, and the heater to keep the HyTran warmed. Couple things to remember here, 1st - your engine is an "AQS" so it has the integrated starter rather than the S/G. I believe the little integrated starter spins the engine slower than an S/G (Maybe Dennis or others know exactly), and this usually means it takes a little longer to start. You have to have enough battery power to spin the engine fast enough to overcome the Kohler ACR (Automatic Compression Release) at about 600rpm. This requires a good strong battery especially in colder weather. When I lived in CT. I used to get by with 275CCA for my 14hp AQS, but you probably really should have about 350CCA or more. I'd also certainly make sure you've got a good tune-up, especially the timing (yes I'm a real stickler for making sure the timing is dead nuts on the S/SP mark), and the carb is adjusted properly. 1st few years I had my 1450 I used to worry cause the dang garage would get down to below freezing all the time, and I know close to zero sometimes, but the ole girl started for me every time I needed her. I ran 5W20 a few times because Kohler recommended it for zero and below, but that stuff just thinned up like water after she ran for a little while. I went to 5W30 and it really wasn't any better after running about 45minutes to an hour. I ended going back to using nice fresh 30W and never had an issue, and I started her up several times in the zero degree range.
