Kohler 21hp loud knocking

[ateelander]

My brother tasked me with fixing his Husqvarna. It knocks crazy loud when running. Not much on YouTube other than checking and tightening the bolts to the frame. It's tight to the frame. The block is not cracked so I'm hoping to get it quiet and back to him. Any suggestions other than a teardown to inspect the inside? I've attached images of the tags for reference.

 

[Douglas Lee]

Are either of the idler pulleys hitting the frame?
Thanks. . .
Doug Lee
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[ateelander]

I'll check. Thank you

 

[Craftsman Garage]

It's a Kohler Courage, junk it.

 

[Auto Doc's]

That is usually the way they sound before the rod breaks and ventilates the engine block. These Courage engines were a failure waiting to happen.

He might want to consider repowering it with a V-twin Command engine or look for another rider.

 

[ateelander]

I appreciate this response. Thanks

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I appreciate this response. Thanks

Keep an eye on the oil and run it. The Kohler Courage single was a dog of an engine that had several problems. That said, I have yet to see one that developed the Kohler crack or broke a connecting rod. There is a large counter weight and these engines were not the most balanced or smooth.

 

[ILENGINE]

Keep an eye on the oil and run it. The Kohler Courage single was a dog of an engine that had several problems. That said, I have yet to see one that developed the Kohler crack or broke a connecting rod. There is a large counter weight and these engines were not the most balanced or smooth.

I have seen 2 with the Kohler crack and one that ventilated the rear block due to counterweight link failure. Also have a few in my customer base that are still running with 700-1000 hours.

 

[ateelander]

So, it started knocking when it didn't knock before. If the counterweight has become sloppy enough to start knocking, isn't it likely to come apart and destroy itself and/or the case? Is it possible to change the counterweight?

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello A.,

On rare occasions I have found the counterweight anchor bolt broken and parts laying in the sump. That means there is damage to the journals the weight rides on.

Best you can do is open it up and verify the damage. In my opinion it will cost more to fix it than buying another engine.