kohler courage 24hp oil leaks

mick il. · Dec 21, 2014

Hey Guys: I've got a 4 year old Kohler courage 24hp 2cyl OHV engine that has started leaking oil on one side now both. It looks like around the valve covers. I can't tell for sure. My first step is going to be pull the valve covers and check to see anything. Can you direct me if you have any experience with this issue. All input is greatly appreciated. mick

Steve@Advance · Dec 21, 2014

Oil leaks on an air cooled engine are bad news! I would remove the cowlings first, see how much caked on dirt has accumulated in the cooling fins. Then positively identify the source of the leaks. Pressure wash it if possible, repair the leaks, keep an eye on it to be sure the leaks are totally stopped.

notjustair · Dec 21, 2014

I'm so shocked - I sure wish you could see the look on my face.

Not.

I have a 20 horse Courage that leaks pretty good from the valve cover. I have had it off, replaced the gasket, used Indian Head sealant, used high temp utv, I checked the cover to make sure it wasn't tweaked, everything I could think of. I finally gave up. After the wife uses it I blow it off good so that the only thing on the bottom of the cover is oil. That way there's no large globs to fall on the exhaust the next time she runs it. And it does drip right on the exhaust. It smokes and smells nice. Piece of junk.

It started that at about 100 hours. It has 250 on it. It has never coughed once or given me a minute's trouble. I'm retiring it at 350 hours so that I can use it to spray - those are the engines that throw the harmonic balancer at 400 hours. The deck spindles are about to go so I may not need to retire it - it may retire itself.

mick il. · Dec 22, 2014

Well if I have to retire this one early I'll never buy another mower with a Kohler or another Cub cadet. My father in law cut 5 acres a week for years with a murray and never had a problem. If I have to buy another mower I'll buy a $900 cheapie. Thanks for the info guys

ztrmower · Dec 22, 2014

how much oil in the engine

T.R.K. · Dec 22, 2014

Are they the metal valve covers? And sealed with an RTV like compound? We have been in contact with our Kohler Rep. about that problem. He just said to re-seal with the kohler recommended gasket sealer, I forget the name of the product.

It seemed like the old plastic valve covers the early courage engines had didn't leak as badly or as often.

Two other thoughts come to mind: Have you any way to measure crankcase vacum? Worn rings that allow too much combustion gas into the crankcase can cause the valve covers to leak. I am thinking the crankcase vacum should be at least 4" water. Meaning it will lift a column of water 4" from normal atmospheric level.

Also, a damaged crankcase breather valve can cause that valve cover leak.

lastly: If you throttle down before shutting the engine off this raises the propensity for the engine to backfire when switched off. This in turn can blow the head gasket if the exhaust valve is open which a blown head gasket can sometimes cause an oil leak that is sometimes confused with a leaking valve cover gasket because the head gasket is so close to the valve cover.

Texasmark1 · Dec 25, 2014

My 20 hp Courage is in the trash, replaced after a little over 300 hrs and tired of putting up with bolts rattling loose, torqueing and rattling loose again. The straw that broke the camel's back was a 2" crack in the main casting at the top cover on the right front corner puking oil all over everything in addition to what the loose bolts had done. Mine just vibrated itself to death.

Went online and found a neat little BS 20 V twin medium grade engine for $700 and the rest is history. She purrs like a kitten.

I have 3 other Kohler engines but they are Commands and they are of a different breed. I have read on here where others have had problems with the Courage also.

The Courage is of a different design than the Command and I think that's the problem. Not enough bracing in the right places in the castings to counter the vibration of a single cylinder at 3600 rpm banginig out 20 hp.

Mark

kohler courage 24hp oil leaks

mick il.

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Steve@Advance

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notjustair

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mick il.

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ztrmower

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T.R.K.

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Texasmark1

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