Kohler Courage, because that's what it takes to own one, courage. I've not seen many issues with the V-twins (not saying they're perfect), but those single cylinders, just run!
It's so sad that Kohler used to be the engine to have on a lawn/garden tractor. Once they went away from cast iron, horizontal shaft engines, they went down hill. What corporate management is responsible for this continual failure? No surprise that Kawasaki has taken the lead in a long term quality engine. Surely the lawn tractor manufacturers and the big box store demand for entry level price points have at least in part been responsible for such poor engine designs and longevity.
It’s definitely a bummer to see how things have changed over the years. Kohler used to set the standard for quality, and it’s disappointing when companies shift their focus away from what made them great.
I have Husqvarna LT151 - 13 years old with same Kohler Courage engine. Only issue I have had so far is that governor exploded (plastic was getting old in the governor gear). Thankfully it did not take anything else with it, took it apart and cleaned up the engine guts and installed new governor. So far no cracks or any other issues. When I assembled engine back together I did add some threadlocker to those bolts, to avoid them running loose. Good lawn mower and I don't plan to replace it any time soon. Great video explaining the issue thought! Gonna go and buy a lottery ticket now. :)
It's awesome to hear that you've been able to keep your Husqvarna LT151 running smoothly for so long! Proper maintenance really does make a difference. Thanks for sharing your experience!
So very true on these single cylinder Courages, I've had them in my shop, Craftsman, Cub, Husqvarna and even older Gravely's. Actually have a Gravely ZT1640 out there now with a Courage 16hp. That's the smallest Courage I've seen so far. I still have my 2007 Cub LT1050 with a Courage V-twin 25hp that runs great to this day. Nice video sir.
Thanks for the compliment. I have had enough of these engines that I felt I needed to make this video, and just cur to the chase on the maun fatal flaw with the Courage engine. I have had some of the v-twin courages, and they needed work, but all were good engines.
My neighbor had a Cub Cadet ran it a long time lots of hours , he did some welding on his Kohler Courage had loose bolts etc. he was offered a new short block if the dealer did the work , he took the offer and sold it bought a John Deere 4 wheel steer tractor which is still running strong
The wife's Cub has one of those Courage engines. I think you've pointed out one of the biggest design flaws that nobody is talking about. The issue with the top bolts was easy to fix with some loctite but her engine threw the internal balancer assembly thru side of the block. That's the other flaw nobody seems to be talking about. I think that's why Kohler discontinued these. To their credit they did provide a new short block but only if it was installed by a repair shop, the shop installation cost was over $400. I kinda wish now that I had just replaced it with a Briggs or a Kohler Command vertical. I guess when this one goes that's what I'll do.
Man, that engine sounds like a real pain! I feel you on the whole repair shop cost thing-it's like they think we're made of money! Switching to a Briggs or Kohler Command sounds like a solid plan for the next round!
I used the Taryl fix on a 1045 my father gave me - a modified c clamp holding the block together. It’s been in service for many years and several hundred hours morenow with only the occasional checking of the bolts to be sure they’re still tight.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's great to know that the Taryl fix is helping others keep their equipment in top shape. Keep up the good work!
My neighbour bought a cub cadet and I told him about those problems I help him to take the bolts out put lock tide and reinstall the bolts back . He checking the bols three times a years if they are tight. The cub is running good so far no cracks for the last five years.
Yup, I had the same crack in the same location, on my 2007 19HP Z4200. First thought the oil leak was from the loose crank cover bolts, and didn't see the crack because it was so dirty. Still leaked, and cleaned it up and found the crack. Put some J-B weld on it until I got a new engine, a B&S EX1900 durable. Mower still has a lot of life to it, so we'll see how long the new engine lasts.
I have a 2013 husqvarna with the kholer engine in it, didnt change the oil until last season, still runs like a champ, ill go look at the hours in a bit
I've done some research ( I hope it's true) after mine, blew a small hole beside the sump seal (It was only 72 hours old), Apparently, a lot of Kholer Courage from around 2007 to 2011, were assembled by robots so, something might've went wrong, in the assembly line OR, I found out, the oil to be use, has to contain zinc. Maybe the wrong type of oil was responsible for it's demise. Who knows ?
Very interesting, I do not have the patience to do that k level of investigating. I am just going by what I have seen with the failure rate of these as I have seen in person over the years.
Definitely not a fan of these motors, as you said they are extremely prone to many issues, some being unfixable, but iv got one at 680 hours still going strong at 12 years old lol. Im just waiting for it to die at this point but it keeps on going with no real signs of giving other than some blow-by. I wonder if it having a proper oil pump over an oil slinger like the briggs helps it live longer (ignoring the auto loosening bolts/cracking block)
I am sure it can be welded. One time I TIG welded an aluminum piston from a 1927 Franklin. It is on my channel. No issue what so ever. I think this gentleman has no welding experience, so he claims it can not be done, because it is made of Chin-easium. That's not nice. --Doozer
I know guys that did put briggs on them years ago. but now all the briggs are Intek and they are junk too. try to find a good one that you would take off of a worn out tractor, not easy to find.
Kohler Courage, because that's what it takes to own one, courage. I've not seen many issues with the V-twins (not saying they're perfect), but those single cylinders, just run!
EXACTLY!
It's so sad that Kohler used to be the engine to have on a lawn/garden tractor. Once they went away from cast iron, horizontal shaft engines, they went down hill. What corporate management is responsible for this continual failure? No surprise that Kawasaki has taken the lead in a long term quality engine. Surely the lawn tractor manufacturers and the big box store demand for entry level price points have at least in part been responsible for such poor engine designs and longevity.
It’s definitely a bummer to see how things have changed over the years. Kohler used to set the standard for quality, and it’s disappointing when companies shift their focus away from what made them great.
My dad's JDs from the 70s had Kohler engines, and they ran forever.
I have a barn find JD 35 years old with a kawasaki engine, it needed a carburetor.
I have Husqvarna LT151 - 13 years old with same Kohler Courage engine. Only issue I have had so far is that governor exploded (plastic was getting old in the governor gear). Thankfully it did not take anything else with it, took it apart and cleaned up the engine guts and installed new governor. So far no cracks or any other issues. When I assembled engine back together I did add some threadlocker to those bolts, to avoid them running loose. Good lawn mower and I don't plan to replace it any time soon. Great video explaining the issue thought!
Gonna go and buy a lottery ticket now. :)
It's awesome to hear that you've been able to keep your Husqvarna LT151 running smoothly for so long! Proper maintenance really does make a difference. Thanks for sharing your experience!
So very true on these single cylinder Courages, I've had them in my shop, Craftsman, Cub, Husqvarna and even older Gravely's. Actually have a Gravely ZT1640 out there now with a Courage 16hp. That's the smallest Courage I've seen so far.
I still have my 2007 Cub LT1050 with a Courage V-twin 25hp that runs great to this day.
Nice video sir.
Thanks for the compliment. I have had enough of these engines that I felt I needed to make this video, and just cur to the chase on the maun fatal flaw with the Courage engine.
I have had some of the v-twin courages, and they needed work, but all were good engines.
Yes sir, they should've stayed with the Commands. 👍
My neighbor had a Cub Cadet ran it a long time lots of hours , he did some welding on his Kohler Courage
had loose bolts etc. he was offered a new short block if the dealer did the work , he took the offer and sold it
bought a John Deere 4 wheel steer tractor which is still running strong
Thanks for sharing your neighbor’s story! It’s always great to see how others navigate their equipment challenges.
The wife's Cub has one of those Courage engines. I think you've pointed out one of the biggest design flaws that nobody is talking about. The issue with the top bolts was easy to fix with some loctite but her engine threw the internal balancer assembly thru side of the block. That's the other flaw nobody seems to be talking about. I think that's why Kohler discontinued these. To their credit they did provide a new short block but only if it was installed by a repair shop, the shop installation cost was over $400. I kinda wish now that I had just replaced it with a Briggs or a Kohler Command vertical. I guess when this one goes that's what I'll do.
Man, that engine sounds like a real pain! I feel you on the whole repair shop cost thing-it's like they think we're made of money! Switching to a Briggs or Kohler Command sounds like a solid plan for the next round!
I used the Taryl fix on a 1045 my father gave me - a modified c clamp holding the block together. It’s been in service for many years and several hundred hours morenow with only the occasional checking of the bolts to be sure they’re still tight.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's great to know that the Taryl fix is helping others keep their equipment in top shape. Keep up the good work!
My neighbour bought a cub cadet and I told him about those problems I help him to take the bolts out put lock tide and reinstall the bolts back . He checking the bols three times a years if they are tight. The cub is running good so far no cracks for the last five years.
Sometimes they do last far longer that most others.
Yup, I had the same crack in the same location, on my 2007 19HP Z4200. First thought the oil leak was from the loose crank cover bolts, and didn't see the crack because it was so dirty. Still leaked, and cleaned it up and found the crack. Put some J-B weld on it until I got a new engine, a B&S EX1900 durable. Mower still has a lot of life to it, so we'll see how long the new engine lasts.
They can still run with a cracked block, but you gotta keep oil in them.
I have a 2013 husqvarna with the kholer engine in it, didnt change the oil until last season, still runs like a champ, ill go look at the hours in a bit
Nice! That’s how you know you’ve got a solid mower. Can’t wait to hear how many hours it’s been running!
@@ridingmowerkingas of now 4047 hours!
FYI, I have a ''green tractor'' LT155 with the original Kohler 17hp from 1999 with no leaks or cracks.
That is one of the last REAL Kohler engines. Good to hear.
I had a cub cadet 1864 with a v twin kohler command engine and it was awesome! I put straight pipes on it and took it mud bogging
I've got a single cylinder Courage bought new in 09 and is still going strong.
Good for you, like I said, there may be a couple good ones, somewhere.
Have you ever checked those bolts? If not, do so and let us know if they were snug.
Hi, in the video I do talk about the bolts on this engine, and I do actually say if these bokts were tight or not. Thanks for watching. @@jimsvo4486
2:30 Please do !
I've done some research ( I hope it's true) after mine, blew a small hole beside the sump seal (It was only 72 hours old), Apparently, a lot of Kholer Courage from around 2007 to 2011, were assembled by robots so, something might've went wrong, in the assembly line OR, I found out, the oil to be use, has to contain zinc. Maybe the wrong type of oil was responsible for it's demise. Who knows ?
Very interesting, I do not have the patience to do that k
level of investigating. I am just going by what I have seen with the failure rate of these as I have seen in person over the years.
As Taryl says, It's a bucket of fecal aka bucket o crap. The sump cover bolts work loose and contact the flywheel and bye bye engine.
Yes, I believe it all starts there
Kohler recently sold off the engine division to a private equity company -
Right? It’s wild how companies make these big moves! Can’t wait to see where it all goes from here!
Thank you for the heads up on the koler engine so a replacement engine for that scrub cadet huh. Chris from OHIO gooooooo Buckeyes beat Michigan
They do have a reputation.
Definitely not a fan of these motors, as you said they are extremely prone to many issues, some being unfixable, but iv got one at 680 hours still going strong at 12 years old lol. Im just waiting for it to die at this point but it keeps on going with no real signs of giving other than some blow-by. I wonder if it having a proper oil pump over an oil slinger like the briggs helps it live longer (ignoring the auto loosening bolts/cracking block)
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s always great to hear success stories about these motors, even if they come with their quirks.
Doesn't anybody try welding them? Good video
I had a friend try to cold weld it and the aluminum would just pop and blow out with any heat. Have not seen anything where someone welded one yet.
I am sure it can be welded. One time I TIG welded an aluminum piston from a 1927 Franklin. It is on my channel. No issue what so ever. I think this gentleman has no welding experience, so he claims it can not be done, because it is made of Chin-easium. That's not nice. --Doozer
Junk engine, just don’t buy one 😮
Cracked block every time 😢
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s always helpful to hear from others to avoid making the same mistake.
Seems like a guy could put a briggs on that
I know guys that did put briggs on them years ago. but now all the briggs are Intek and they are junk too. try to find a good one that you would take off of a worn out tractor, not easy to find.
Yet is the correct word 😢😢😢😢
It’s going to crack soon or later
Yes, everyone in the biz has learned that fact.