Kohler Courage engines

[Alfred_B]

Is there anything special that I need to do to maintain the Kohler Courage engine in my lawn tractor besides regular oil changes, air filter and clean cooling vents?

I have lost two B&S engines due to the valve and pushrod issues and that's why I switched to Kohler and intend to keep it longer.

 

[Rand]

What Briggs engines.. they make many different lines. Same as kohler.

 

[Donald]

I do not think I have had an OPE engine actually fail. One leaked all its oil over a few hours so had to fill it before each mowing.

I would think oil changes using quality oil. Keep the cooling fins free of old grass and mouse nests.

Premium gas if its knocking from getting hot.

Are you running full RPM while cutting. You should always run full RPM while cutting. Vary the speed via transmission, not throttle.

 

[Alfred_B]

Yes, full throttle while moving/cutting. Low RPM when it's idling while I load the trailer that I attach sometimes.

 

[JTK]

Which Courage, single cyl or V-twin? Keep it clean and dry and use fresh fuel are your best measures. Proper oil level too of course.

They had issues early on with the Courage single cyl series where the crankcase cover bolts would loosen (under flywheel), causing radial movement of the crankshaft and engine failure. They honestly seem to be more finicky than comparable Briggs single cyl engines, but everyone's experience will vary.

 

[Uregina09]

I read somewhere that it takes courage to own a Kohler courage series engine.

 

[Donald]

I have had an Ariens self-propelled mower (for maybe 7-8 years) with a Kohler Courage engine. My engine series had an issue with corrosion in the carb. float valve which Kohler replaced under warranty. After that its been flawless.

The throttle cable got a cut and broke, but I assume that was my fault. Quick fix.

 

[55Test]

Courage, it couldn't come at a worse time

 

[tig1]

I have weld repaired two Kohler engines due to cracked blocks. So far no Briggs engines.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
Is there anything special that I need to do to maintain the Kohler Courage engine in my lawn tractor besides regular oil changes, air filter and clean cooling vents?


Sure, never start them up!
Okay, all humor aside, my research shows that the single cylinders have a terrible reputation. The twin cylinders are okay.
If you look at the Kohler websites on the Courage engines, they really brag them up. But remember one thing: Kohler discontinued them.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthr...Any#Post4418468

I actually bought this mower last night for a really cheap price. The previous owner had the connecting rod come through the engine. I thought about putting in a B&S 19 hp Intek engine, but they don't have a good reputation either. Still doing the research on a replacement engine. We'll see....

 

[andyd]

Mebbe apples and oranges, but I am very happy with the 6.5, 212cc I put on my snow blower. https://www.harborfreight.com/22-hp-670cc-v-twin-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-epa-61614.html

 

[Ausfahrt]

I'm not too optimistic about the Courage in my Craftsman garden tractor. It sounds really rough and coarse, not nearly as nice sounding as the Kohler Command in the John Deere at our summer cabin.

The Courage just passed 100 hours and I hope it lasts another three years til I retire.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
Is there anything special that I need to do to maintain the Kohler Courage engine in my lawn tractor besides regular oil changes, air filter and clean cooling vents?


Sure, never start them up!
Okay, all humor aside, my research shows that the single cylinders have a terrible reputation. The twin cylinders are okay.
If you look at the Kohler websites on the Courage engines, they really brag them up. But remember one thing: Kohler discontinued them.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthr...Any#Post4418468

I actually bought this mower last night for a really cheap price. The previous owner had the connecting rod come through the engine. I thought about putting in a B&S 19 hp Intek engine, but they don't have a good reputation either. Still doing the research on a replacement engine. We'll see....

If the 18.5 Hp Intek is similar? mine is going on 320 hours and not one single problem, been a great engine.

 

[GMBoy]

I've got a Kohler Courage single cyl in a 2012 Husqvarna lawn tractor, a Briggs intek V-twin in a 2011 Craftsman lawn tractor and they've both been fine and trouble free. i just got a new Bad Boy zero turn with a Kohler V-twin 725cc and hope it does as well as the little single cyl one as done.

All I do is run Mobil 1 10W/30 oil changed each season with a cross referenced oil filter that us usually and STP or similar from AutoZone, keep clean air filters and keep the motors clean. I also run a small dose of fuel system cleaner mixed in the gas at all times.

 

[Throckmorton]

iirc, the v-twin courage engines are based on the Kohler command and are very good design. The single cylinder engines are said to be less reliable. Apart from ordinary maintenance (oil change, air filter, spark plug) I imagine the only other thing to do is make sure the bolts and dowel pins holding it together don't come loose. This is especially important on a single cylinder as it is not as balanced as a v-twin.