Kohler Courage 20HP Leaking Oil All Over The Place

amzn.to/2BVvVZF Kohler Crankcase Gasket
amzn.to/2A9Fcgj Kohler Valve Cover Gasket
amzn.to/2z29d3L Kohler Oil Seal
amzn.to/2C3zkH3 Kohler Air Filter Replacement
amzn.to/2z20Tkn Kohler Oil Filter
amzn.to/2Aawleh Carburetor Direct Replacement
amzn.to/2B4Ztac Kohler Fuel Filter
In this video, I look into a Kohler Courage 20HP lawn tractor engine that is leaking oil from the usual places. I also start fixing the leaks.
Help support Doublewide6 Repairs LLC by sponsoring his Patreon account
/ doublewide6
Doublewide6 Repairs LLC has a Master’s Degree in industrial technology with a specialization in Manufacturing, due to factors beyond the control of Doublewide6 Repairs LLC and anyone featured in his videos, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Doublewide6 Repairs LLC assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video or any of Doublewide6’ Repairs LLC's videos. Use this information at your own risk. Doublewide6 Repairs LLC recommends safe practices when working on equipment, power tools, chemicals, electronics, electrical systems, vehicles, and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Doublewide6 Repairs LLC, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Doublewide6 Repairs LLC.

[@Itsyaboyharry98]

Im impressed at the level of detail you went into on this vid. Ill be doing this job on my mower soon since it also has a terrible leaking problem.

[@dnplumber1]

great repair video. looking forward to part 2 of this video.

[@doublewide6]

Thanks stay tuned it will be out in a week or so.

[@davish50]

Great nuts and bolts video. Look forward to the conclusion.

[@doublewide6]

Coming up thanks.

[@tonym6920]

Hi DW6, man, that's a big job! Great video,

[@doublewide6]

Thanks Tony. I was thinking it would be easy because I saw it was leaking from the valve cover. Still waiting on parts.

[@knighthawk86855]

That is an awesome idea with the 3/8th to 1/4 socket adapter as a buffer for the threads..... I will have to remember that.

[@philliphall5198]

Thank you for information and advice Have a great day and enjoy weekend

[@matthewsharp6597]

Great job, can’t wait on the next video.

[@doublewide6]

Thanks Matthew.

[@aleblanc3547]

Judging by how worn the tires are, I can see how much he likes (or at least uses) this machine. Kohler has such a good reputation, I'm surprised they did a poor job on this engine design. Thanks, Doublewide. I'm looking forward to the repair.

[@doublewide6]

"It takes a lifetime to make a reputation and only 5 minutes to wreck it." TR

[@doublewide6]

I noticed the hour meter was about 380hrs. I clocked it at 400-500, judging by the tires. He must drag race that thing on the weekends.

[@martinschulz9381]

I agree. Courage was their cheap lower end home store mower engine. I blew one up..(oil, smoke and fire) The lawn mower deal told me that they almost all blow up.

[@milohajek]

so true, why are so many people ignorant of the fact that if you are leaking or burning oil and you can't repair it right away that you must continuously add oil??? It is a very simple concept, yet people these days dont have much common sense.

[@roofermarc1]

I have the cheap Chinese 18 hp courage, I found those bolts loose and tightened them cracking the block. I jb welded it and it’s holding but leaking on bottom now

[@michaelbenoit248]

Hey it’s the engine that’s a time bomb, legend has it there’s one out there w 1000hs on it. Getting an engine to 1000hrs is easy just let it run for a month straight & once every 100hrs to change the oil.

[@armyvet4081]

These are also prone to having cracked blocks. Taryl Fixes All has a great vid on how to fix it very easy.

[@doublewide6]

Yes, they are I when and looked at that video. It is a interesting way to repair it. Thanks

[@goosecreeksouth9327]

that tractor needs a wheel alignment those tires are smooth and yes those engines are problematic love the vids god bless and merry Christmas

[@doublewide6]

Thanks Man!

[@guitarzan2626]

I have a kohler 19hp engine leaking around the valve cover. Thanks for your help with the video. However I accidentally dropped a large screw into to oil fill tank( a bone headed move for sure), my question is does the oil circulate from the oil tank thru the filter before it goes into the engine first or the reverse? I'm hoping the filter will stop the screw from ruining the motor.

[@tallens5280]

Any advise on a surging Briggs 175cc? I believe it's a 2014 model. Came on MTD labeled "Snapper". I checked the float bowl for debris and cleaned the main jet...found no dirt.

[@nashguy207]

Good Job Bob that is one of the main reasons I dont own any equipment with a kohler courage engine I have heard to many horror stories about them leaking oil and a couple of other problems The command commercial engines I think are pretty good engines I have never ren any kohlers seems everything i buy has kawasaki or Briggs I have one of the fairly new briggs vanguards 28hp EFI have around 800 hours on it so far so good its has some really good torque and horsepower

[@doublewide6]

I do really like the kohler command. The Kawi's are great but run louder than the kohlers. I have never owned a vanguard, but they have a great reputation. Any machine requires maintenance to last.

[@nashguy207]

I agree like i was saying i really do not have anything against the kohler commands I have heard good things about the new EFI engines from people I know around here The Vanguard IM referring too is the new 810cc commercial engine It is closed loop delphi EFI IM impressed with the gas mileage as well I have the 28hp on a walk behind with a 52" deck and the gas consumption is not a lot more than a 17hp Kawasaki I have on a walk behind with a 48" deck I did have one kawasaki fail a little premature I think had about 1850 hours and thru a rod I do oil and filter changes every 50 hours not every 100 hours like the book says replace the air filters every 150-200 hours when ever they need it I do stay on top of maintenance on all my equipment now days the equipment cost to much not to take care of it. Wish I lived closer to you i would really like to hang out and work on stuff and visit I like working on stuff like you do my mom and dad tell me I started messing and working with lawn mower engines when i was around 9 or 10 years old. LOL

[@BrucesShop]

Nice job removing the flywheel Bob. Things always release with a POP don't they. Great work. I am surprised how leaky that motor is for a new one.

[@doublewide6]

it has 380 hours not too new.

[@BrucesShop]

Anything under 1000 hours is new to me. haha

[@fendermann1825]

Great video bro. Hey quick question, do you any 4 wheeler repair or maintenance videos?

[@doublewide6]

Only a few search Kawasaki bayou.

[@DonnaMSchmid]

I just wanted to let you know that I screamed holy hell at Patreon for their "new and improved" fee structure, which would have taken about half of your donations (and backed up my displeasure by canceling my subscription for your channel). Now that they've "re-thought" those changes, I've re-subscribed to your channel on Patreon!

[@doublewide6]

I'm not sure what is going on with Patreon, but I do appreciate your generous donation. It has been a bit tougher keeping the videos going with the changes from KZbin. Right now I'm able to keep it working okay for me. Thanks again, and have a fantastic holiday. Bob

[@DonnaMSchmid]

Thanks, you too!

[@knighthawk86855]

I have never seen that bald of front tires b4 wow.

[@doublewide6]

Yes, he needs new ones, but I know he could tackle it on his own. I will have to see if he wants me to do it or not. I don't know how he can turn with out sliding?

[@kevalmiller99]

@@doublewide6 We thought they were racing slicks!

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

I like those racing slicks on the front. Never seen anything like that before. Are those plastic gears inside the engine?

[@raymondcampbell2346]

Love2boat92 yep they sure are. Alot of the engine manufacturers are using them now.

[@doublewide6]

Plastic cams at least they are not missing teeth.

[@tinkernoni]

How do you fix a cracked oil sump pan bade near cylinder? That would be a good video for you to make!

[@danwells7691]

on those bucket motors locktight everything

[@philliphall5198]

Seems it’s best to price head and sump gasket replacement That way no come back for warranty Or take it somewhere else

[@dt3510]

Can you tell me the torque on the cover bolts

[@ZippoVarga]

Heya Bob, Grip6 repiled to your comment on the buckle. Send them a black and white GIF of your design and they'll send you a rendition on a buckle color of your choice for your approval before you buy. Once you're happy, let them know via email, then go check out and type in the memo box your buckle color and the logo design you requested. I had my from design concept to in my hand in less than a week. Cheers and Hugs to the little man! Zip~ p.s. I suggest snapping a photo of your C-Clamp, the Puller and your wood "6" side by side, and they'll match it perfectly on your buckle. you won't be disappointed!

[@doublewide6]

OKay thanks, I may look into it. Thanks for the tip. Yours looks awesome, I really like it.

[@ZippoVarga]

It's my new favorite for obvious reasons lol. But they have a huge variety, so I am like a kid in a candy store. They laser engrave them and every single detail in the photo shows up in the finished product. If I look closely at mine, I can see tiny imperfections from the photo I sent in the engraving. That's not a complaint! That's how precise the laser engraving is! Cheers Bob! Zip~

[@raymondcampbell2346]

Good repair video Bob. As I commented to someone else, those Courage engines are residential motors and very cheaply built. The aluminum castings are really thin and those sump bolts are are real problem for those engines. I was looking at a comment section on the Courage engines and read where a guy had less than 50 hours on on and it threw a rod through the block. The Command engines are decent ones and are American made. The Courage is Chinese made. The small ones on the push mower is also Chinese made. It is sad the way things are made now. The old cast iron Kohler's were great engines.

[@doublewide6]

I looked it up and just found this: (below) I would be surprised if the Command is still made here. Kohler owns the plant so they can oversee the quality. If it is made in the US I would bet most parts are imported before assembly. In reqards to the Courage it seems to have some design problems, I'm not sure it is quality control issues or poor craftsmanship. The days of the cast iron engine block are gone. B&S started making lighter engines for airplanes and washing machines and the cast iron engine was a thing of the past. " In 2007, Kohler created a joint venture in China called Kohler-YinXiang Ltd., based inChongqing, China, to manufacture small gasoline engines, and intends to begin importing more of their engines, rather than building them in the US. "

[@bocfat]

Yes the old Kohler engines were great, Hey Kohler are you paying attention?

[@petefroud5308]

Bob nice video . The Kohler motors seem to have a bad name looking at that can see why . Cheers Pete.

[@doublewide6]

Not all the Kohlers I like the Commands and the smaller 4.5HP Kohlers look decent for a bargain mower engine. $200 or less.

[@petefroud5308]

Fair point Bob . Have seen Taryl has had problems with these motors.

[@doublewide6]

Yes, he even has one I saw that has the broken block. I think he fixes it with a c-clamp.

[@mikespain8655]

The Kohler Courage (especially single cylinder), is the low end turd of the Kohler engine line. If your friend likes the mower, it does beat spending two grand on a new mower once all the repairs are made.

[@z95m]

Were those two camshaft gears made of plastic?

[@doublewide6]

Yes, they are plastic probably HDPE

[@davidhollfelder9940]

Bald tires tell me .. well, maybe past it’s prime .. yep it can be fixed to keep it alive a bit more .. but time to plan on getting something else soon.

[@davidhollfelder9940]

S

[@allmihi1]

WHAT DOES HE DO MOW THE STREET! WHATS WITH THOSE TIRES!!!

[@doublewide6]

They are pretty bald. I need to check with him if he wants me to change them out or if it is something he wants to do on his own. On the bright side, at least they hold air.

[@mikejoyce3782]

Definitely mows CCW .....HAHA

[@rickg4802]

Hey DW looks like that right front is bald.

[@jessecain3560]

R Greene he said the guy really likes the tractor...I said so look at them bologna skins for tires he got there

[@doublewide6]

My buddy was not kidding when he was telling me how much use he gets out of his tractor between his yard and a neighbors or two.

[@dantheman9167]

Don't tell anyone the size sockets your using.

[@greenteam9234]

Hey I'm just starting small engine repair. Did you have any tech training or self taught.

[@doublewide6]

In college I took some small engine classes, but I ended up getting a degree in manufacturing. I have always had an interest in fixing things. I have been working on engines now for about 10 years and have learned a lot from internet forums and books. There is always something new to learn.

[@scottnoyb6749]

Use a puller you can buy a whole set for around 20 bucks

[@johnporter3876]

Do you repair guys own a torque wrench?

[@marktalbert1883]

Might want to disconnect the battery.

[@scottnoyb6749]

You shouldn't pry on the flywheel or hit the crank with air hammer there's probably a thrust bearing/bushing in there that's probably crushed and the Connecting rod is hitting the crank on the side and basically that engine probably grenaded shortly after you " fixed it"

[@martinschulz9381]

Those Courage's are junk engines. It's best to just replace it with a Briggs replacement engine.