Kohler Courage Lemon.. Need Help

[jk1w]

This guy is doing the same thing I am about to do once I get a torx security bit (he didn't need one though, I guess he didn't have one on the briggs??)


( HOW TO ADJUST VALVES) FIX HARD TO START Lawn Tractor with OHV Briggs Engine- MUST SEE- Part 2/2 - YouTube


Sorry I ain't in no means a mechanic and I am learning while I am going

BTW I ran the lawnmower for 2 hours before she started making noise and how dry, that I do not know, only thing I know it didn't read at all on the dipstick and with haste I filled her back up and let her sit another 2hrs. But like I said, just cranking her over (no spark plug or fuel, just the starter spinning the flywheel and cylinder head) she sounds fine (again not a mechanic so fine by others idk).

 

[KennyV]

... I am learning while I am going

... how dry, that I do not know,...with haste I filled her back up

Actually from the above information you provided, You Will have a pretty Good idea of just How empty it was when you were running it...
How Much did you Have to Add to "Fill it back up"...

It should be Noted that a Lack of lubrication, Plus the Lack of cooling that oil provides, Will permanently damage internal engine parts... things like cams, rockers, valves, rings, pistons & crank shafts Will change dimensions when subjected to increasing Heat. That change in dimension along with little Or No lubrication will remove metal as parts try to fuse together.
Adjusting the increased clearance is Not going to 'fix' a problem like this...

And although the Kohler Courage is not their top of the line engine... It is Not a "lemon" because it will not run for 2 hours without oil. You do have to be a little reasonable with your expectations. :smile:KennyV

 

[jk1w]

Actually from the above information you provided, You Will have a pretty Good idea of just How empty it was when you were running it...
How Much did you Have to Add to "Fill it back up"...

It should be Noted that a Lack of lubrication, Plus the Lack of cooling that oil provides, Will permanently damage internal engine parts... things like cams, rockers, valves, rings, pistons & crank shafts Will change dimensions when subjected to increasing Heat. That change in dimension along with little Or No lubrication will remove metal as parts try to fuse together.
Adjusting the increased clearance is Not going to 'fix' a problem like this...

And although the Kohler Courage is not their top of the line engine... It is Not a "lemon" because it will not run for 2 hours without oil. You do have to be a little reasonable with your expectations. :smile:KennyV

Well looking at the bottle I used I put back in about 16qt's back in, but I do not know exactly how much it holds (never changed oil on her, was done by previous mechanic)

Also I did not know she was leaking like I said I had checked her before I started and she was full, now how quick or how fast I lost oil I do not know. And also I found that the leak was coming from the valve cover on the front where the past mechanic tried to make a make shift seal. Again I didn't notice she was leaking, there was no unusual smells or big clouds of smoke.

And for me she is a lemon if you read my first post, when I first got this lawnmower, I had already begun having troubles with the engine. The biggest thing was that some internals was missing from factory and my past mechanic fixed it under warranty (replaced the block and kept everything else). But see this is not the first time this has happened, this lawnmower was sent back under the same condition but my father had took care of the issue and that's all I heard of it. Now my father has passed and that mechanic has closed up shop and moved some where else, I am stuck having to try to fix this thing. So for me she is a lemon.

 

[motoman]

While best wishes are extended to you it sounds like "lemon" may not be the proper description. Lemon is usually reserved for bad ,new, product from the manufacturer. These engines work in extremely hazardous conditions and , IMO, require babying and TLC if they are to last. Your engine may have not had a good start in life. Hope somehow it can resurrect itself.

 

[jk1w]

While best wishes are extended to you it sounds like "lemon" may not be the proper description. Lemon is usually reserved for bad ,new, product from the manufacturer. These engines work in extremely hazardous conditions and , IMO, require babying and TLC if they are to last. Your engine may have not had a good start in life. Hope somehow it can resurrect itself.

Thanks, well after all that fuss, I found out after cracking the case open, that oil was not causing the issue (but could of caused more damage). The problem I found to be was a weight shattered on top of the crankshaft, causing the vibration and the pieces causing the "plastic in the blender sound". Now I am going to see if I can do something with Kohler to get the engine replaced because they don't make the weight that shattered no more. They told me they might be able to replace the short block under warranty *fingers crossed

 

[gregjo1948]

I'm thinking the clanking noise might be a rod bearing gone bad. They don't last long when not receiving enough oil. gregjo1948