Is the Kohler Courage really that bad?

[marvc]

Sounds to me like comparing one courage owner to the next, or like comparing fords to chevys, one likes them and his best friend hates them. Plus I personally believe VERY strongly in the question "was it made on a monday or friday. On mondays no one feels like working because of being tired from a busy wekend, and on fridays people rush through jobs pushing quality towards the back burner because the dont want wore down too much so they can stay out all night partying or whatever. I have used the Courage with no problems, even after running one that lost most of the engine from bad leaking filter and it started knocking. Shut it down immediatly, put on new filte and filled with oil and went back to work with it. It took up to close to 5 minutes for the knocking to completly go away, but now still works great with NO lasting effects or problems from it.
:ashamed:

 

[Jerry M]

I purchased a Toro zero turn mower with a Kohler Courage engine (model SV610S) in April, 2008. Replaced a solenoid 3/11. Then noticed an oil leak toward the end of 2011 that seemed to be coming from the top of the engine. Discovered that four of the bolts at the top of the engine were loose. Tightened them and leak quit for awhile. In 2012 leak returned. Checked and tightened bolts again. Toward the end of the summer a leak reappeared, this time seeming to come from the bottom of the engine. This spring I talked to a mechanic, who told me that this particular engine has a bad reputation, and that he thought there was a recall on it. Has it been recalled?
Does the oil leak from the bottom indicate a cracked block or more loose bolts?

 

[TnHusky]

I purchased a Toro zero turn mower with a Kohler Courage engine (model SV610S) in April, 2008. Replaced a solenoid 3/11. Then noticed an oil leak toward the end of 2011 that seemed to be coming from the top of the engine. Discovered that four of the bolts at the top of the engine were loose. Tightened them and leak quit for awhile. In 2012 leak returned. Checked and tightened bolts again. Toward the end of the summer a leak reappeared, this time seeming to come from the bottom of the engine. This spring I talked to a mechanic, who told me that this particular engine has a bad reputation, and that he thought there was a recall on it. Has it been recalled?
Does the oil leak from the bottom indicate a cracked block or more loose bolts?

Jerry your engine is a single cylinder right? If so I'd check with a authorized Kohler dealer and ask them the same question. The single cylinders had some troubles and seems Kohler had taken steps to solve some of the issues. They may work with you on this.

 

[jk1w]

I have a Cub Cadet with a Kohler Courage 20hp single with 170 hours on it within ownership of 3 years, and she is a demon child of Jekyll and Hyde. More problems than anything and so far can not go one season with out having to fix something. The short block has already been replaced on her within one year of ownership due to literately missing engine components in the engine thankfully warranty covered that, now going on year 3 new problems has surfaced with a weight on top of the camshaft shattered and warped and no way to fix it unless I hunt down for used motor and tear it apart for that piece; only because Kohler directly does not manufacture the piece no more. Instead I would have to get a new short block to replace this one, $700/$800, which is basically a new engine; or else I have to wait to see if I can get it replaced under a Kohler warranty which is what I am currently in the process of dping with my cub cadet dealer :thumbdown:

 

[motoman]

I have just reread this thread. It IMO is one of the best ever due to vast experience shared and knowledge. I have tried to walk the walk with my Intek 24 by installing sensors on two places on the the #1 cylinder head. Mr Chance has stated air cooled heads do not overheat, my definition: reach 390F at the exhaust valve guide . So far I have not been able to show the 390F. But I have seen 312F with the spark plug sensor as read by the K thermometer. This was in 75F ambient. The sensor started leaking so I had to move it before hot weather arrived (now 90F). I moved it to the valve cover bolt nearest the exhaust valve and have only seen 278F. I did try to clamp a sensor onto the ex valve guide cast pillar or "cyinder." That failed because of the irregular shape and lack of good thermal contact. Still trying.

Back briefly to quality. Castings are alloy which can go wrong due to wrong "cake mix," cooling, quenching, annealing. It is science without a doubt. Most supplier quality is taken on faith by the manufacturer. Sympathy for the Chinese laborer , but the country is notorious for cottage industry. If the Kohler engine castings (and others) are coming from home cottage effort they may be no better than lawn chairs. Without rigorous incoming inspection the engine machine shop will happily cut away and produce aluminum engines with varied results.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Having reread these threads, I'm going to say YES to the original question!!! LOL!!!
Courage models are not the only Kohlers with problems, something about the oil gallery plug blowing out comes to mind!!!
Mad Mackie in CT

 

[exotion]

I don't know kohler makes dam good toilets...

 

[Mad Mackie]

Yes they do!!! Great toilets!!!

 

[motoman]

Ah, but they are water cooled, right.

 

[Mad Mackie]

Ah, but they are water cooled, right.

Yes, water cooled, no ethanol, smooth and cool to the touch, comfortable to sit on usually!!!! HaHa!!!!:laughing::laughing::laughing: