Need some advice on Kohler Courage 22hp engine!

[sox3]

Those engines are easy to inspect. You don't have to remove it from the unit. Just tear down the top end. The top pulls off the block to access it and inspect. I have seen a few of the counter balance weights crack the block. Happens when the pin vibrates out.

 

[sox3]

I have a 20 hp Courage on a Husqvarna. Bit over 300 hours. I'm thinking that it bent a pushrod. Ended up cracking the block and spewing oil all over. Highly disappointed in this machine. Was advertised as an 800 hour engine

A bent push rod wont crack a block. Must be another issue.

 

[HillStreet]

I just started adding a product called CamGuard to my small engine oil. They make products specific to aircraft, automobile, and small engines. Test data shows a real benefit to limiting wear.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

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Has anyone dealt with a similar situation before? If so, what was the damage to the engine? Thanks for your comments.

I have had an 18 hp Courage since about 2005, mounted in a Simplicity hydro mower with likely about 350 hours on it. It's not the world's best engine. On slopes it's prone to burning oil, though it's o.k. on the flat. I know the knocks you described. It had them about two years ago. I switched in synthetic oil. It ran out of oil in about an hour. I poured in some 15W40 dino and it's been o.k. since. The starter finally failed and I was bemused to notice that a 150 dollar starter is held in place by two tiny bolts into a thin aluminum casting.

But it still runs. I have a few other mowers so I use it for one small patch of lawn and to creep under the trees in the orchard where the larger machines can't go.

 

[VroomVroom]

Sorry, I don't know if this is what they call hijacking the thread. I've noticed the talk about the kohlers. I have a 31 hp aegis liquid cooled twin cyl. In a new argo, I know it starts very nice. I notice that for most applications you run the engine pretty well at 3100 to 3400 rpm. It doesn't seem like the engine is being over sped, but I know that I can't go any faster so that means the throttle is at max. Runs very smooth. What are these engines like ? Seems like many people here aren't too keen on the courage 22.