kohler courage 18 597 Cracked engine block

[Esexauer]

Was out mowing my lawn and I heard knocking, like the engine was clogged. Turned the engine off and saw smoke and noticed oil leaking out. I found a crack in back of the engine block.

Any idea what would cause this?

 

[ILENGINE]

Counterbalance weight retaining arm broke allowing the weight to get off center and pushing out the back of the block.

 

[Charlie8d]

You aren'y the first one. Do a search of, " Kohler Courage cracked engine block."

 

[bertsmobile1]

IT would be the second most common failure of all small engines after oil starvation seizures
Got a Loncin, 5 x B & S & one Kohler all with counterweights through the cases this year waiting to be stripped for parts , which is about average