Export thread

Kholer Courage

#1

reynoldston

reynoldston

I have always been a good fan for the Kohler engine, (Until) Just got a Troy Built mower with a Kohler SV590 Courage engine in it for a repair job. Leaking oil bad. Disassembled the engine today and found large cracks in the engine crankcase and as far as I can see no reason for it. Seeing I can't find another crankcase I am going to see if I can get it welded tomorrow?? I don't know very much about the Kholer Courage engine but it looks very poorly built and cheap.


#2

K

KennyV

The courage is "enjoying" a very bad reputation... poor casting cracks have been common, if you don't choose to weld them, you can clean it up and use epoxy ... It certainly is not the old reliable Kohler I am use to ... KennyV


#3

reynoldston

reynoldston

Its taking me a little time to get use to the changes to this forum. I had the Courage block welded and then I epoxied it also. I had to order the new seals and gaskets and they won't be here till the end of the week. I will let you know how it turns out.


#4

I

ILENGINE

reynoldston said:
I have always been a good fan for the Kohler engine, (Until) Just got a Troy Built mower with a Kohler SV590 Courage engine in it for a repair job. Leaking oil bad. Disassembled the engine today and found large cracks in the engine crankcase and as far as I can see no reason for it. Seeing I can't find another crankcase I am going to see if I can get it welded tomorrow?? I don't know very much about the Kholer Courage engine but it looks very poorly built and cheap.
Click to expand...

The first courage engines had crack block problems, Kohler claimed it was due to improperly torqued cover screws on the assembly line. They also had camshaft problems. Kohler made changes to the camshaft and the spacer washer about 3 different times.

Dealers referred to it as the bucket engine, since the crankcase appeared to be upside down.


#5

R

Rivets

I am no longer a fan of the Courage either. Kohler says they are trying to solve all the problems but new ones keep creeping up. This spring I have had at least 6 blown head gaskets, just finished one on Friday. One unit had it blown on both sides. One I blamed on overheating, but couldn't find a reason for the others. What really puzzles me is that the new gaskets come as a kit with new head bolts. Is there something wrong they are not letting out.


#6

scott47429

scott47429

yes rivets there probably is something there not letting you know I'm a auto mechanic and about 90% of all cars today when you do a head gasket you have to replace the bolts because there stretch bolts and can't be reused i don't know if its the same with those engines but just something to think about


#7

R

Rivets

The only time in the past where I have had to replace head bolts on small engines is on the Wisconsin VG engines and some of the water cooled engines. All of these were cast iron blocks where you definitely had a high heat condition. With the amount of blown head gasket problems by all engine manufactures I think they are looking for ways to solve them and this is their current solution.


#8

scott47429

scott47429

yeah true butr the best way to solve the current problems with the engines is to stop trying to improve something that worked just fine to start with like the older ones


#9

reynoldston

reynoldston

Yes I do see that new head bolts do come with the head gasket. Now you got me wondering if there is a certain way to torque them?? The only thing I have now is a service manual and I will use the torque specs from there..


#10

R

Rivets

I probably use the same service manual and do the same. One thing I have starting do about a year ago, is making sure that there is no lube on the bolts or in the cylinder threads. I actually spray each with a quick drying cleaner (Electronics type) and then install. Don't know if it helps, but have had no comebacks.


#11

reynoldston

reynoldston

Rivets said:
I probably use the same service manual and do the same. One thing I have starting do about a year ago, is making sure that there is no lube on the bolts or in the cylinder threads. I actually spray each with a quick drying cleaner (Electronics type) and then install. Don't know if it helps, but have had no comebacks.
Click to expand...


Every thing I see about torquing call for a light oil on the threads? As for myself I wire brush all the bolts, run a tap into block threads and then use a light oil on the bolt threads. One thing I have done in the pass which is a no no is if I have a problem finding a new head gasket I will coat the old gasket with number 3 peratex and use it over. No problem yet with this.


#12

R

Rivets

As long as we each end up with no comebacks, you do what you have to do.


#13

K

KennyV

reynoldston said:
if I have a problem finding a new head gasket I will coat the old gasket with number 3 peratex and use it over. No problem yet with this.
Click to expand...

I will generally reuse a good head gasket... but I have found that Copper Coat: CRC 401612 KW Copper Coat Gasket Compound - 9 Wt oz.
Works great & is Very easy to apply to both sides of a gasket... :smile:KennyV


Footer Links 1

Top