What Oil Filter Does the Briggs and Stratton CV40 Take?

If you've searched for the Briggs & Stratton CV40, you've likely hit a wall — because there is no Briggs & Stratton engine called the CV40. That designation belongs to Kohler, not Briggs & Stratton. The CV40 is a Kohler Command series single-cylinder engine, rated at approximately 40 cubic inches of displacement and commonly used in walk-behind and riding lawn equipment from the late 1980s through the 2000s.

This mix-up is common. Both Briggs & Stratton and Kohler engines power similar outdoor power equipment, and the branding on the machine itself (Craftsman, Husqvarna, Toro, etc.) doesn't always make the actual engine manufacturer obvious at a glance.

If you do have a Briggs & Stratton engine and arrived here by mistake, check your engine's model and type numbers — those are stamped directly on the engine block — to identify the correct filter. For everyone else, here's what you need to know about the Kohler CV40 oil filter.

What Engine Is the Kohler CV40?

The Kohler CV40 is part of the Command series — overhead valve (OHV) engines built for commercial and residential small equipment. The CV40 designation indicates:

C = Command series
V = Vertical shaft (the crankshaft points downward, typical of riding mower decks)
40 = Approximate displacement in cubic inches (~655cc)

These engines were commonly rated around 14–15 horsepower and powered many riding mowers and garden tractors from major OEM brands throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

What Oil Filter Fits the Kohler CV40?

The Kohler CV40 uses a spin-on style oil filter with a specific thread size and bypass valve pressure rating. The most widely cited compatible filter is the Kohler part number 52 050 02-S (sometimes listed as 5205002-S), which Kohler produced specifically for Command series engines.

Several aftermarket filters are cross-referenced to this application, including options from brands like Fram, Wix, Purolator, and others. Cross-reference numbers vary by manufacturer, but common aftermarket equivalents are often labeled for small engine or lawn/garden applications rather than automotive use.

🔧 Key filter specs to verify before purchasing:

Specification	Typical Value for CV40
Thread size	3/4–16 UNF
Gasket outer diameter	Approximately 2.5–2.75 inches
Filter height	Approximately 2.5–3 inches
Bypass valve pressure	~11–13 PSI (verify with filter specs)

These numbers are representative of what fits the CV40 in most documented applications — but you should always verify using your specific engine's serial number, as production runs and revisions can affect compatibility.

How to Confirm the Right Filter for Your Specific Engine

Engine specifications can shift slightly across model years and manufacturing revisions. The most reliable ways to confirm the correct filter:

Check the engine model, spec, and serial number — stamped on a metal plate or directly into the block, usually near the oil fill cap or air filter housing
Cross-reference at a Kohler dealer or parts distributor using that serial number
Match the thread pitch and gasket diameter of your old filter before purchasing a replacement
Review your engine's operator manual — Kohler made these available online through their parts lookup tool

Using the wrong filter — particularly one with a different bypass pressure rating or poorly fitting gasket — can result in leaks or inadequate oil filtration. The cost difference between a correct and incorrect filter rarely justifies the risk.

Oil Type and Change Intervals for the Kohler CV40

The oil filter question usually comes alongside an oil change, so it's worth covering both together.

Kohler generally recommended SAE 30 or 10W-30 motor oil for the CV40 under normal operating temperatures, with SAE 10W-40 or synthetic alternatives sometimes listed for specific temperature ranges. Consult the operator manual for your engine's rated capacity — most CV40 applications hold approximately 1.4 to 1.6 quarts with a filter change.

Typical service intervals for this class of engine:

First oil change: After the initial 5 hours of operation on a new or rebuilt engine
Subsequent changes: Every 50 hours of operation, or at least once per season
Filter replacement: At every oil change — filters on small engines don't benefit from extended intervals the way some automotive filters do

Operating in dusty conditions, extreme heat, or high-load applications shortens these intervals. A riding mower cutting dry grass in summer heat is working harder than the same mower in mild conditions.

Why the Briggs vs. Kohler Confusion Matters 🛠️

Ordering the wrong filter because of a brand mix-up is one of the most common small engine parts mistakes. The engines look similar, sit in similar equipment, and retailers sometimes list them interchangeably by horsepower rating alone.

If you order a filter based on horsepower or equipment brand rather than the actual engine model number, there's a reasonable chance it won't fit — or worse, it'll fit loosely enough to seem correct but seal poorly.