kohler courage 24hp oil leaks

This message is a reply to an archived post by mick il. on December 21, 2014 at 16:16:56.
The original subject was "kohler courage 24hp oil leaks".

This original post is almost 2 years old but I had the same issue. Since I found NO other info on this engine with many searches, I wanted to update others with my experience. I give some detail, but for those in a hurry, a careful exterior cleaning and oil resistant RTV on the valve covers worked.
Lots of posts bad mouthed this Kohler engine series and wasted my time. This cub cadet ltx1050 is a decent tractor and the engine design is good. Maybe the single cylinder Courage has problems, but not here. Here are the best tips for me
1 complete clean. Not just oily mess. I found junk behind the baffles. Removed them and also found half a mouse. He literally fell head and shoulders for his nest. Get all the crud out from the cooling fins.
2 use a pressure washer to clean fastest. Rent or buy one for under 100. But Not to use much psi
3. Adjust the valves while covers off. Mine were out after only 130 hours
4 clean and dry inside valve cover. Use oil resistant RTV. Replace covers, torque to spec (55 in lbs), and let cute overnight.
Not a drop leaks now. Praying for it to last
Hope this helps folks

You are quite right. The Courage twin cylinder engines got a bad reputation just by having the word 'Courage' on the tag, which associated them with the single cylinder engines that had so many issues. The Courage twins seem to be holding together pretty well. The valve cover leaks seem to be their biggest issue right now.


One thing i found interesting: The Courage twins used the same pistons and rods that were in the Command twins for a while. The Command twin is a pretty tough engine. (I think they have re-designed the pistons since.)

I had the 20 which was a single. IMHO THAT was the problem with the engine. Too much vibration on an aluminum casting that didn't have adequate bracing for such since it put a 2+ inch crack in the casting along with vibrating about a dozen bolts loose in a few hundred hours. Couple of things could have made it a good engine: Heavier flywheel, best choice, or beefed up casting. Moving to a twin solved the problem for the larger engines which may have had other problems, I don't know. I'll tell you this, the 20 hp BS twin which replaced it, is smooth as silk.

My Husqvarna has the Courage (bought with a little less than 500 hrs. on it) and it's been very good so far over 2 1/2 seasons. Smokes sometimes on startup but it runs strong and intend to continue using it until it dies (580+ hrs. now). I have an old B&S in an MTD built machine that still runs very smooth.

Yes, I have great memories of just about any B+S engine I've owned or used since the '70s I still have the 'lil 22" MTD self propelled bagger I inherited from my late dad. God rest his soul.

I left it with a tenant who didn't know to take care of it. Finally texted me that it wouldn't start. Boy, it looked real bad. I had to clean the deck, degunk the carb and repair the throttle cable and bracket and OC. Cost me time but only $10. Run like a champ for the new tenant.