Kohler Courage Head Gasket Replacement & Engine FIRE!!

Kohler Courage Head Gasket Replacement and upgrade on Cub Cadet GTX 1054. Engine in video is SV740 but applies to all Kohler Courage models. All parts and manual used in video are linked below.
Kohler Head Gasket Set: amzn.to/3IwvAPk
Scotch-Brite: amzn.to/3L6kPot
Engine Assembly Lube: amzn.to/3twg9lN
ARP Ultra Torque Lube: amzn.to/3JALolf
Oil: www.amsoil.com...
Kohler Courage Manual (Very Handy): www.kohlerengin...
Thanks for watching this one was a crazy one took me 3 months to film and over 20 shots.
Mower Mike
SV710 SV720 SV730 SV810 SV820 SV830 SV840
Disclosure: The Amazon link above is an Amazon affiliate links. This means that, I do earn a very small commission (at no cost to you) if you click the link and finalize a purchase.

[@michaelteti5148]

i HAD A FIRE at the same cylinder. No idea what caused the fire. replaced a bunch of parts that burned,breather and hose magnetos air cleaner and such. after that it ran great but started blowing smoke from that side of the engine. thought it was from the breather not right until now it quit and wont run. looked here and saw the possible cause was head gasket. now your video showing the fire the same as mine but i was further away from my extinguisher so it did a lot of damage. thank you for showing that a blown head gasket can start a fire. working to change the gasket now. thanks again.

[@MowerMike]

Wow, ya fire on an engine is always scary. But hey if you can fix it will be a cool fix and you have a cool story. Good luck on the head gasket just take your time step by step.

[@gregkamiedana9230]

My Kohler has the same symptoms, was getting ready to buy a new mower, now I’ll try the head gasket. Great video, thanks!

[@MowerMike]

Good luck, check that the oil level isn’t high first. A lot pump smoke just because they have been over filled with oil.

[@mikelute77]

Thanks for the video brother! I’m tackling this on my father in law’s mower today. Much appreciate your in depth video sir

[@MowerMike]

Glad to help!

[@kathyodonnell8913]

Thankyou so much for this video. I managed to replace a head gasket myself, with the help of this video!

[@MowerMike]

Oh wow that is great, it is a big job that not many people are willing to take on. Congrats!

[@monotheis6889]

My sister said if she don't get her Alan Jackson CD back, she's gonna blow a head gasket (and you were a lousy lay, she still mad 😡) 😂😂😂 Great video, Rock on, that wasn't my sister.

[@MowerMike]

lol this comment hits a little too close home.

[@monotheis6889]

@@MowerMike 👍 lol

[@raytravis5]

Mine caught on fire too!! Blown head gasket and it was dumping oil on the exhaust. Luckily I had a fire extinguisher near by.

[@MowerMike]

Nice, it will sure wake you up!

[@williamminton236]

Good job well presented. Thank. You

[@miketo5828]

Wow thanks buddy, well explained every detail. Greatly appreciated, stay blessed, Mike ok n. RI

[@MowerMike]

Thanks man, glad it helped.

[@rexnotlob1351]

Good video Mike , I had a Kohler Courage 24 Hp lock up after sitting threw the winter 6 month ,ran great last year ,I couldn't turn it over with a pipe wrench and a breaker bar it was so tight .in Florida we don't have temps that cold .200 hours is nothing on a mower .

[@MowerMike]

Sometimes they just have a bent pushrod jamming them up and can just do an easy fix on it

[@MyNeowolf]

@@MowerMike or hydro locked if rain water went into engine via intake etc...

[@MyNeowolf]

pull spark plugs ant then try to turn it

[@willwork2fish261]

Some say not to use a scotch brite, have you not had issues using? If not, I’m gonna go ahead and leave mine, did it last night. Also doing a valve job, how should I clean inside the valve galleys? Mine are gummed up bad

[@MowerMike]

Nah I never had any issue with those pads. Just make sure to clean up any dust they leave. Check out this video for cleaning the head kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4GXe6eIer-DaaMsi=leAqyMLoZdWHoru8

[@markbarnett4317]

Do need to bring both heads up on a complexion stroke before I remove them a it 725 7000 series 22 hrs cubcadet

[@MowerMike]

No just take the bolts off and pull it off.

[@limogesfarmer6326]

Great video: just not clear on the using a screwdriver to find TDC: That part sounds critical. I would assume a work-around is to rotate the flywheel until you see the piston is in TDC, and then mount the cylinder cover and valve assembly.

[@MowerMike]

Thanks for the compliment

[@Andrebooker58761]

Any chance there is a part number Same motor Koehler courage 26 hp on a craftsman YT 4500

[@MowerMike]

No idea

[@ronaldtober9443]

Nice , Thank you for sharing👍👍👍👍👍

[@MowerMike]

Glad it helped

[@northvillejam]

Thanks for help. I’m doing one right now.

[@MowerMike]

Just take your time you got this!

[@richardcole6566]

Sump oil seal replacement LT1042 Club Cadet I might have it in to far but, when I turn over the sump cover I can clearly see the oil hole . It is not block . But from the top of the sump cover it looks like the seal is in to far. . I would like to have your input. Thanks.

[@MowerMike]

I have no idea, google the manual to see what it says

[@Yourcomputertutordotnet]

How much time to do both head gaskets ? I'll be doing this job fairly soon. I'll need a fairly quick response. Thx

[@MowerMike]

It depends if you take the engine off. But in general you should be able to get through it in one day.

[@matthewmckinney1326]

Would gas in the oil be an indicator or bad head gasket?

[@MowerMike]

Not sure on that one. Am sure the Google can help

[@jasonc2514]

Hey! Thanks for this. I just wanted to know how to get the engine cowl/shroud off to access the fins on the cylinder. But I think i mya need to do a gasket as well. How long do you figure it took ya to do both?

[@MowerMike]

Doing a head gasket is a full afternoon job. You can do it just have to take your time.

[@jasonc2514]

@@MowerMike So i should plan on a six pack...

[@MowerMike]

@@jasonc2514 You will probably need 8 beers for this one, suggest buying a 12 pack just in case. Just take your time and don’t rush anything

[@jasonc2514]

@@MowerMike lol thanks man

[@billjenkins687]

I have a light tower with a 3-cylinder Kohler engine. Same problem. I am searching for a video on disassembly. I refuse to trash a light tower over a head gasket. Never done one before.

[@MowerMike]

Light tower? I have no idea what you are referring to help me out therr

[@wendaworkman8065]

Hi Mike. I just took the head apart on a Kohler Courage lawn mower engine. There are no rocker arms. There are no guides for the push rods. The mower ran, but blew white smoke. Is this possible? Or am I looking at a different engine configuration? Thanks. At least your video got me brave enough to give it a try!

[@MowerMike]

Hmmm never seen that engine. I will tell ya if you replace the head gasket and it is still blowing smoke you may have worn out piston rings. Good luck

[@wendaworkman8065]

Mike tha ks for responding. Yes. It had rocker arms. I've got the whole thing put back together. New carburator. Fresh gas. Oil changed. New filter. New gas filter. Gas line open. Mower will crank. Won't start. Any thoughts? That do t involve shot guns?

[@user-tl3mz1bu7r]

Same happened to me with my 26hp, haven't rebuild it yet! Causes a hell of a fire!

[@MowerMike]

Haha right! Has never seen an engine catch on fire was good times

[@user-tl3mz1bu7r]

Ya, it fills the muffler with oil, and leaks everywhere, all it takes to catch fire is a backfire when you shut it off, mine backfired, and caught fire.

[@garywilley8118]

Thanks, I'm going to be replacing the head gaskets on my sv725 and it really helps to see how it's done and, the little tips on how it can be done a bit easier, prior to doing the job. Lol The only thing I thought I might do differently would be to remove the cylinder shields, cover the carb. intake and THEN pressure wash. That way the engine would be clean and all fasteners etc. would be easier to see. Is there any reason you can think of I shouldn't do it prior to doing the repair?

[@MowerMike]

Nope sounds like a good idea, just make sure the plugs are in and the intake is on so you don’t get water in the engine. Good luck

[@garywilley8118]

@@MowerMike Yep, don't want any H2O in the motor. Thanks

[@philliphall5198]

Main thing is to video it or take a lot of pictures You can do it if not in a big hurry, if it upsets you, walk off and wait a while Mechanic old school ways 😊

[@WillliamLuch-ul2lh]

I'm not sure how to determine what is Top dead center on the compression stroke. How can I tell when I'm on the compression strike? Thank you.

[@MowerMike]

When both valves are shut you are on the compression stroke. They are shut when the pushrods are down and not pushing on the rocker arms. If one one is pushing on the top of a valve then go another rotation until both rocker arms are loose. Good luck

[@WillliamLuch-ul2lh]

Thank you very much. That was very helpful.

[@troubleis5747]

Did you reuse your cylinder head flange bolts or is it necessary to buy new ones for proper torque?

[@MowerMike]

Ya you should be fine re using the bolts. Atleast in my experience

[@user-tu2vf5bq1i]

why did you do both head gaskets ?

[@MowerMike]

Because I wanted to

[@philliphall5198]

Sir I drill a 1/4 hole in bottom of muffler so any oil or gas will drip out

[@MowerMike]

Never heard of that one

[@philliphall5198]

Mike, I just got other burned up free cc mower that caught fire, 19 in two years

[@philliphall5198]

Plus there all kohler twins and no manual cut of valve on fuel hose to engine, 19 😢

[@joedehring4054]

Good job, now I know how it got the name courage. Looking for amazon links . Let's know what expect, thanx

[@MowerMike]

It is a good engine just needs some TLC

[@jdsnapp]

Maybe I missed but shouldn't you take note how push rods came out so they can go back exactly same position?

[@MowerMike]

They just slide down back in the hole, use a light and make sure it slips in that cup. They are the same length and

[@mikec2220]

Top dead center… on the compression stroke. There is a difference.

[@MowerMike]

Totally agree

[@philliphall5198]

The fuel tank are extremely weak material and break and crack after 2/3 years, placing a peace of rubber under edge of tank and mounting surface will help with self locking nuts

[@MowerMike]

Excellent hint thanks

[@jeffcantrell3944]

tighten all the way up on tdc each side seperately

[@MowerMike]

You are sooo wrong but I like the spirit!

[@peezyplayz2498]

dads do always seem to know. my grandpa blew his on his intek single cylinder and his caught on fire i put a new gasket on and it ran.

[@MowerMike]

Fire is never good on an engine glad it didn’t blow up!

[@alberteller7286]

battery powered drill I could have this job done.

[@Brooskisoup]

Thanks!

[@Brooskisoup]

Is it necessary to reinstall the baffles?

[@MowerMike]

That is your call, I assume so but maybe it will be fine without them.

[@jeffcantrell3944]

you dont need to set lash on hydrolic lifters!

[@heyinway]

No hydraulic lifters on that engine.

[@chris-SDI]

Toss that extinguisher and get a new one it’s disposable and next time you need it it won’t work!

[@MowerMike]

Haha excellent advice. I keep a couple full ones on the shop at all times. I am an accident waiting to happen

[@chris-SDI]

@@MowerMike😎👍🏻

[@plebetopro5786]

Music selection is excellent, but KZbin probably won't like it... Unless you bought the rights to use it. Just a warning!

[@MowerMike]

Thanks! Man I am such small time I don’t think Allan Jackson is going to come after me but it would be cool if he did!

[@plebetopro5786]

@@MowerMike from my understanding, it isn't the media creator, it's machine learning on KZbin's servers... They might just smack you for the music to prevent an issue. I haven't looked into it much, but on my couple videos, I just chose to avoid it to be safe.

[@raymondwiley5799]

what are you smoking?

[@MowerMike]

Depends on the day ;)

[@rickbailey7606]

You display lots of nerves energy.. are you still in high school, freshman? Sorry don’t mean to judge…another 10 years on the planet grasshopper, you’ll be a pro.. thanks for the info..

[@MowerMike]

Wow thanks for the compliment. I was a high-school freshman 30 years ago. It must be this new face cream my wife has me on. It is the Cerave brand on Amazon. I will have to do a video on it based on your recommendation! Glad to have you on the Mower Mike train. It could get weird strap in.

[@peterlarsen6940]

Scratch on head

[@MowerMike]

Got an itch?

[@worklife5094]

Is the valve lash .005 or. 05

[@MowerMike]

.005