Hello, first question on the forum. The kohler courage 15 engine on our Husqvarna LT151 has just died violently, big hole in the crankcase ( thrown a con rod I think... ). I suspect I left it too long before changing the oil filter...I'd like to start over with a new full engine, but I haven't been able to find the 15HP model anywhere over here in the UK. I have found a full 16HP motor though. So my question is this, does anyone know if I can do a straight swap between my existing SV 470S 15HP engine ( built in 2005 ) and a new SV 480S 16HP? Neither uses a fuel pump and they look the same dimensionally as far as I can see on the tech sheets, but I'd like to make sure before ordering over the internet ( it's too far to travel to look at the engine ). And just out of curiosity, how do they increase the power of the engine from 15 to 16 HP? Thanks.
Kohler courage 15 replacement question
- Thread starter marc38
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since you don't have a fuel pump, that cuts down on problems of transfer. Check to make sure the crankshaft is the same diameter and length, and everything else should work out just fine. The Single cylinder courage line is no longer manufactured. I think they are calling it the 3000 series now.
gainestruk
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I think the answer would be yes, just make sure new engine has same output on alternator and crankshaft is same length and diameter.
You could go with another brand of engine making sure all is same as above, you would need to do a little wiring to make it work.
Seeing your engine is a 2002 model I'm not sure wiring plugs will be same on new Kohler but it should be easy to match wires up.
You could go with another brand of engine making sure all is same as above, you would need to do a little wiring to make it work.
Seeing your engine is a 2002 model I'm not sure wiring plugs will be same on new Kohler but it should be easy to match wires up.
bertsmobile1
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Engines are made in sets with the same bore & stroke.
The increase frm 15 Hp to 16 Hp is simply a bigger main jet and sometimes a different govenor spring.
All of them spin at the same speed so you will not notice any difference.
AFAIK the generaor coils will swap on all of the latter engines if the plugs on the new engine do not match with the old engine.
I do around 10-15 repowers ever season for customers and a dozen or so off season to revive old trade ins.
The increase frm 15 Hp to 16 Hp is simply a bigger main jet and sometimes a different govenor spring.
All of them spin at the same speed so you will not notice any difference.
AFAIK the generaor coils will swap on all of the latter engines if the plugs on the new engine do not match with the old engine.
I do around 10-15 repowers ever season for customers and a dozen or so off season to revive old trade ins.
Hello again. First of all thanks for the replies and advice, I went ahead and bought the SV480 after checking the crankshaft diameter was the same,
and the engine is now installed on the tractor and running well - it's a straight swap.
A few minor differences, the 470 had no cylinder cowl and the 480 does, and it fouled the exhaust ( muffler ) downpipe,
but as it is only thin steel sheet it was easy to bend the edge out of the way.
The fuel pipe run to the carburettor was different but easily adapted.
The exhaust downpipe flange studs from the 470 did not fit the pre-tapped holes in the 480 - different thread. Finally decided the thread needed was a 5/16 unc and
went to buy some unc stud - and found that nobody stocks it anymore in the hardware shops in my local town ( UK ) - it's metric or nothing. If I'd had the time I would
have ordered some stud, or some studs, online, but I finished up salvaging a couple of bolts from an old engine.
The biggest surprise was finding the engine mounting holes in the crankcase unthreaded....realised I was supposed to use the self-tapping bolts to cut the new thread,
started one, and it felt very tight. Chickened out of using the self-tappers, tapped the holes and used normal bolts instead.
I was expecting trouble removing the double drive pulley but it pretty much dropped off as soon as I undid the mounting bolt.
The electrics had the same male/female plugs and the same colour wiring - no problems there.
A couple of specification differences from the original motor, the SV 470 was 535 cc and 15 hp, the SV 480 is 597 cc and 16 hp.
As far as availability goes, in the UK, I struggled to find a motor, I was offered short-blocks but that's all. Apparently Kohler has replaced the SV470 by the SV471.
One dealer could supply the 471 but with a three month wait for delivery.( Apparently the motor has to be delivered from the US to Italy and then sent on to the UK...).
No doubt there's a dealer somewhere in the UK with a shed full of new Kohlers but I didn't find him.
Ended by buying the complete new SV480 off the shelf from an small engine specialist in France for 690 euros. The oil will be getting changed very frequently from now on...
and the engine is now installed on the tractor and running well - it's a straight swap.
A few minor differences, the 470 had no cylinder cowl and the 480 does, and it fouled the exhaust ( muffler ) downpipe,
but as it is only thin steel sheet it was easy to bend the edge out of the way.
The fuel pipe run to the carburettor was different but easily adapted.
The exhaust downpipe flange studs from the 470 did not fit the pre-tapped holes in the 480 - different thread. Finally decided the thread needed was a 5/16 unc and
went to buy some unc stud - and found that nobody stocks it anymore in the hardware shops in my local town ( UK ) - it's metric or nothing. If I'd had the time I would
have ordered some stud, or some studs, online, but I finished up salvaging a couple of bolts from an old engine.
The biggest surprise was finding the engine mounting holes in the crankcase unthreaded....realised I was supposed to use the self-tapping bolts to cut the new thread,
started one, and it felt very tight. Chickened out of using the self-tappers, tapped the holes and used normal bolts instead.
I was expecting trouble removing the double drive pulley but it pretty much dropped off as soon as I undid the mounting bolt.
The electrics had the same male/female plugs and the same colour wiring - no problems there.
A couple of specification differences from the original motor, the SV 470 was 535 cc and 15 hp, the SV 480 is 597 cc and 16 hp.
As far as availability goes, in the UK, I struggled to find a motor, I was offered short-blocks but that's all. Apparently Kohler has replaced the SV470 by the SV471.
One dealer could supply the 471 but with a three month wait for delivery.( Apparently the motor has to be delivered from the US to Italy and then sent on to the UK...).
No doubt there's a dealer somewhere in the UK with a shed full of new Kohlers but I didn't find him.
Ended by buying the complete new SV480 off the shelf from an small engine specialist in France for 690 euros. The oil will be getting changed very frequently from now on...
bertsmobile1
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Also remove the cowl and check the tightness of the front cover plate bolts.
Particularly the ones adjacent to the cylinder.
They come a little loose which ends up causing a crack that runs from the joint between the cylinder & crank case opposite the exhaust cam then will eventually run al the way to the bottom.
We call it the Kohler Krack.
On engines with fuel pumps you get a drop in crankcase pressure pulses so the mower stop at random due to low fuel.
On gravity fed carbs it just lets all the oil out till the engine goes bang and spits the rod.
There seems no rhyme or reason to it, it just happens due to random differences in manufacturing tollerances.
I was told this fault has been rectified and it will not happen to the new series of engines which have even horsepower ratings.
Time will tell.
Well done and enjoy your 2 months of lawn mowing :laughing:
Particularly the ones adjacent to the cylinder.
They come a little loose which ends up causing a crack that runs from the joint between the cylinder & crank case opposite the exhaust cam then will eventually run al the way to the bottom.
We call it the Kohler Krack.
On engines with fuel pumps you get a drop in crankcase pressure pulses so the mower stop at random due to low fuel.
On gravity fed carbs it just lets all the oil out till the engine goes bang and spits the rod.
There seems no rhyme or reason to it, it just happens due to random differences in manufacturing tollerances.
I was told this fault has been rectified and it will not happen to the new series of engines which have even horsepower ratings.
Time will tell.
Well done and enjoy your 2 months of lawn mowing :laughing: