Kohler Engines

Just wondering if others had similar experiences that I just went through. A few years ago I purchased a zero turn mower, and while I thought I got a great deal at the time, I found out otherwise after investigating a fairly significant oil leak on the Kohler engine. I knew it was leaking roughly 1/3 of a quart every time I went to mow, but just dismissed it to a gasket needing replaced. Thinking I would do a little internet search to see if others had similar (it was difficult to determine where the actual leak was) I ran into some horror stories regarding these engines (Kohler Courage). Everything from crankshaft counterweights thrown through the sides of the block, to bolts coming loose, to compression release coming apart, and cracked blocks. When I read about the compression release issue it struck a nerve, as my engine exhibited some of the same symptoms which I dismissed as a battery going bad. Upon cleaning my engine up and looking closer I discovered a small crack running from the top of the block down approx 3 inches. Not trying to scare anyone that has one of these, but just a heads up if someone has one of these engines with hard starting, or oil leaks. I suppose this engine could have been repaired, however after having the last 3 mowers with significant quality issues I opted to suck it up and take my beating and trade it for a commercial grade mower. If this one does not hold up I may have to hire someone to mow my grass. I bent over backward to avoid buying MTD products, but ended up buying a Toro with similar quality issues (this one had a deck bearing failure, idler pulley failure, and ultimately engine failure).

I have the same crack in the Kohler Courage engine I have in my Husquvarna mower. I have never looked at a blow up of the engine ,but it appears to be in the valve cam compression realese area. Pizzes me off because It is advertised as an 800 hr engine, mine has less than half that

There seems to be quite a bit of discussion on one site that indicates problems with top crankcase bolts coming loose causing this crack, but I am not convinced whether the issue was caused by the loose bolts, or broken compression release. Mine seems to have had both as I noticed a knocking from the engine, and upon investigation I found all the bolts loose on the top crankcase cover. Tightened up the bolts, and knock went away, however damage might have already been done if that was the cause. I have seen enough that I will never buy another Kohler engine. I had previously owned several B/S, a few Tecumseh, and this was my first (and last) Kohler. The mower I just purchased has a 23 HP Kawasaki V-twin. This reminds me of a transmission in a Honda car my son owned (very high failure at low miles, but out of warranty)

I will agree with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bought a used Husqvarna tractor with 46" deck and a 20hp Courage Kolher. Had an oil leak on the passenger side of the engine. Sure enough if you look just behind the piston jug where the case starts, there was a nice long 3" crack from top to maybe 1/3 down. Guy installed a very nice Briggs 21hp twin "V" replacement. Has low hours and I TOTLAY serviced it with plugs ,oil change, air filter, Pressure washed it gently to remove any dirt in the fins. Engine was very clean and so far runs great. One piston is not enough for 20hp on a lite weight block. Cast iron yes....pot metal is no way! Greased all of the "sealed pulleys under the tractor with a needle fitting in the grease gun. Replaced both bottom spindle bearings cause one rumbled ever so slightly. DO you know those bearings were like $24 DOLLARS EACH at NAPA!!!! Thats enough.
PS another thought. They added another bolt to the head on those cause the originals would blow the head into the headlites. POW!! Stopped at tractor supply today and the brand new Cub Cadets STILL are useing that engine!! OH brother. Jeffcat

Hello Ron-MO,

I feel your pain. You can run but you can't hide.
MTD seems to owns or have, most of the small engine parts, like a monopoly. I bought an ignition module for my old Lawnboy. You guessed it! MTD bag....

Guido.

I have 2 mowers with Kawasaki engines and like both of them ! Push mower is 5 hp ? rider is v twin 25 hp liquid cooled.

We have a Toro zero turn mower with a Kawasaki 23hp air cooled engine. It's only a year old, but I'm impressed.

I like the Kawasaki engine in my JD mower. It's a 12hp. The mower was built in the mid 1980's and is still going strong with regular oil changes.

You guys with V twin liquid cooled kawasaki'a better find out if you have a plastic camshaft gear, bends pushrods when the teeth strip !!

BTDT
Mine had 1400 ? hrs before it quit. I knew about the problem as I repaired others before. Not a bad job to do just parts cost alot. $300 plus dollars I think?

If you are looking to buy a used one check the serial number of the engine. If it falls into the plastic cam gear range make them show proof of replacement or take enough off the price to buget into repairs.

I know the kohler I just traded had plastic cam gears in it. I doubt the Kohlers will last long enough to worry about the gears on those, as the blocks crack or internals come apart long before the gears give out. I did not tear mine down to see what kind of shrapnel was running around inside, but something let go, and I suspect it was the compression release since it was hard to start for no apparent reason.

Kohler Courage engines are crap. Made for low quality, low priced lawn equipment sold at the big box stores. No real ZTR comes with a Courage engine.

This Kawasaki 2 cyl V-twin is used in some John Deeres also. The plastic gear driving the oil pump is rated for a 2500 hr life expectancy by Deere's admission it needs changing. We had one on a golf course greens mower that stripped the teeth and the oil pump quit at 2600 Hrs and burnt out rods and mains on the engine. Replacement engine from Deere only as it is a special style. The cost was $2,300.00.

Can't say I have had this problem yet, bought one with a Kohlet engine in 2008 and it is still going strong, no leaks or oil useage yet.

I have an 18 Hp Kohler in a Grasshopper I bought new in 1988 and still going strong. They must have made them better then.

Sad when a company lets the bean counters tell the engineers to cut the cost. Lots of American jobs lost that way. Kohler used to make a good product, if it had their name on it it was top notch, but once your reputation is gone so are your customers. Plastic has no place inside an engine. My Hustler ZTR has a Honda on it and I love it.

I just tried to buy parts for an SV530 Kohler. Parts no longer in the system. Engine is only five years old. But I can still get 15 year old parts from Briggs. Kohler support and quality has really gone down hill.

Kohler and Briggs both make a consumer quality engine line. The old days of knowing it was a good quality engine b the brand are long gone. But, both make much higher quality commercial series engines that are top of the line.