Kohler courage valve adjustment/ Fixing valve cover gasket

In this video I show how to adjust the valves on a kohler courage 20 and how to fix a leaking valve cover gasket. Many small engines use the same method to adjust the valves but the valve clearances will vary.
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[@gunnutmike]

Thanks for going by the manual instead of going by what some people suggest as far as what specs to use. Subscribed.

[@ablgarage]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@davidellis7695]

One thing I do on these Kohlers is to apply the sealant to the cover side only. The head side is machined smooth and flat and gives a go seal with the gasket. I’ve not had leaks and have been able to remove and replace the cover when needed without having to scrape sealant from the head.

[@goud2488]

Good tip in general for all machine metal gasket situations

[@capeman10]

Thank you for the help my friend it was short and to the point.

[@ablgarage]

Thank you for commenting & watching! I'm glad the video was helpful 🙂

[@BillyBobDingledorf]

Perfect. I feel comfortable doing the job myself now.

[@ablgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@shakes7333]

Also while yoi have the cover off check the bolts on the top engine cover (below the flywheel 10mm hex head bolts) all the way around. They are bad about loosening up. It will leak oil and effects the crankcase vacuum that the fuel pump needs to operate properly.

[@brisbinbaptistchurch8994]

We're a small church that is currently between pastors. The best thing about your small church is they tend to be more personal, the people know your name, the pastor knows your name and tend to treat you like family. We are the church, the buildings are just buildings we meet in. We just have to remember to do what the Bible says , put God first. You would be surprised what you can accomplish with a few tvs and a projector or two. We've tried to create an blend of traditional country church with a touch of contemporary. We've made some mistakes along the way, and lrarned from them and do our best to move forward and be the church that God wants us to be.

[@goud2488]

In my experience (Kohler sv 540s) the "top dead center" you describe is with the piston decompressed or closest to center towards the seat from your perspective, or the longest stroke "down" .... if that makes sense

[@ablgarage]

I believe you are referring to bdc which is bottom dead center. Tdc or top dead center is when the cylinder is on the compression stroke and the piston is closest to the spark plug.

[@waltergrady2501]

Thanks I have learned a lot

[@ablgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@travisdean6059]

Late to the party, any tips on how to loosen up seized up T15 locknut? Went to adjust the rockers and the locknuts are STUCK!

[@stephenwarlow1762]

Great repair thank you

[@ablgarage]

Thank you!

[@dohuk615]

That’s exactly my issue I finally figure it out it was that gasket cover. It was eroded and needed replacing. But what was that sealing you put on it before installing the new one.

[@ablgarage]

It is an automotive gasket rtv. Any auto parts store will have what you need. Make sure to get an oil resistant one. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelfornell4467]

Mine was bad. So i simply replaced the gasket, permatex'ed it and also replaceced the muffler.( with one off an old junk one i had) that instead of angleling down & directly und the valve cover. Instead it gies down and away from the valve cover. Problem solved. ( fyi)

[@steverenner4710]

Great video. . . .

[@ablgarage]

Thank you!

[@daveb8362]

I have the Courage 20 on a Cub Cadet LT1045 with about 500 hrs. It is having a difficult or no crank issue. The engine seems to run ok when it does start. Electrical, including starter, is good. Which is more likely the cause, valve adjustment or broken acr, and how is it diagnosed? How is the acr repaired or replaced? Thanks in advance.

[@ablgarage]

I would say adjust the valves. They need to be within spec for the compression release to work. If the Acr is bad you have to replace the cam. Good luck

[@daveb8362]

OK. Now that you've shown me how, I'll start by adjusting the valves. Thanks again.@@ablgarage

[@ronniehart8052]

One of my bolts is stripped. Could you advise what you would do? If I were to leave the bolt as is would it still leak with the new gasket installed?Thanks

[@ablgarage]

I would try to tap the hole with a different thread. You can try without it. But I think it will leak. Good luck!

[@goud2488]

10 mm T15 torx

[@philliphall5198]

Just install a B/S and fixed

[@ablgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@artifactsantlersoh]

This valve cover design is absolutely trash. They should send everyone for free, one of those brackets to apply even pressure among all lower bolts on the valve cover because the leak always occurs on the side of the bottom lip that doesn’t have a bolt.

[@ablgarage]

Yeah I agree. It is a terrible design. I've had good luck using this method to get them to stop leaking. People see them leaking and try to tighten the bolts and bend the valve cover where the bolts contact the valve cover. Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

Only way to seal valve cover is silicone

[@ablgarage]

Thanks for watching!