Been running my Kohler 26hp for 13 years. Can't be that bad.

At 5:34- You don't have to remove that plastic leaf-guard. It does not conflict with the engine cover.

Just found your video and your top secret information did the trick. The conversion kit for the coils totally worked. I just doubled the price of my mower as I was going to offload it. The mower works (almost) like new. Thanks Brother. Be well.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

10 ай бұрын

glad it helped

Hey Jeff thanks for this video! It really helped me and my father figure out the issue with his Kohler!

I do agree on some parts, the courage single cylinder is terrible, ive had good luck with the twin so far, the commands are great engines ive seen, its not unheard of to have them go to 2000hrs before needing a refresh.

Put one of these conversion kits on mine about 2 years ago. Hasn't missed a beat since.

Hi Jeff, Thanks very much for your videos. I've found them very helpful in performing repairs and service on my lawn gear. Your comments regarding Kohler engines reflect your experience, no doubt, but I've had somewhat better luck. My Kohler Courage 25 hp engine powers a Troy Bilt Mustang zero turn mower. I bought it new in 2010 from Lowes, and this is my 11th season of use mowing a 0.9 acre lot, using the side discharge. I put about 53 hours a year on it, between May and November. I have 535 hours on it as of today. I do an lube/oil service every 25 hours with a full synthetic 10W-30 oil and Kohler filter. Each fall it gets a pre storage service - wash, full tuneup, blades, air filter, oil/filter. I fog the cylinders and carb prior to storage, and put the battery on a Sure-Charge unit all winter. To date, the only original part I've replaced is the starter due to early signs of a failing bearing. The original Gates belts are still going strong, as are the two hydro-static units. Compression on both cylinders is well within spec. So, I may be something of an outlier with respect to this engine, but I'm happy with it so far. Based on your experience, about how many hours should I expect to get, ultimately? Would you consider going to an E Go electric zero turn as an alternative replacement? I've seen them for $4600 on line, so not a huge difference vs the big box price for another Troy Bilt.

I love it when you rag on Kohler ! Should get a better deal for a replacement !

Awesome video and awesome fix. I have been wondering where you were. Now it all makes sense, working on a Kohler. Lol

Courage was the budget line for kohler. They had in the time this motor was made better quality motors available. People want low price and this is what you get. I have a 2008 courage 24hp twin with 500 hrs now, purchased new. It has had normal problems over the years but its been a good motor overall. I new when I purchased it was budget motor. Mine came with updated magneto system. Called kohler cs at the time inquiring how long its projected life was and was told 1000-1200 hours.

I've been checking reviews on which best used riding mower to look for and learned pretty quick to stay away from ones with that brand of engine. Seems to be a lot of failures. Thanks for the Vids! :)

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

Good choice!

Kolher used to be the engine to buy. I bought a 8hp Kolher tiller (Troybuilt) in 1991 and it still runs like new. Starts up every spring. Just change the oil yearly and sparkplug every 3 years.The newer engines are crap and even though B&S moved to Mexico and I hate to buy them, they are still much better than Kolher.

Just a tip, loosen the coil bolts, slide coil(s) back, rotate the crank until the magnet lines up with the coil , insert a business card, let the magnet suck the coil in, tighten bolts, rotate crank, pull out card, done....WAY easier than the way you were doing it......have used that method forever, and never had an issue....the way your doing it was what I used to do, and had the same issue as you did.

@mauricekeithjohnson2598

2 жыл бұрын

Bit of a lout- aint he !! ?

@williamclements273

2 жыл бұрын

@@mauricekeithjohnson2598 Except he is right and his way is so much less frustrating and more accurate.

@tRRickedOut

3 ай бұрын

I just did this business card trick and it worked perfectly for me. Did both in under 1-2 mins. Way easier.

@rods.3245

6 күн бұрын

I always use a business. Never anything else.

Just use a standard business card to set the coil gap. It's easier.

@CharredSteak

4 жыл бұрын

Used that trick a million times on solid state and points motors, definitely the easiest way to do it.

@timothycannon6275

4 жыл бұрын

Just finished installing this kit about 30 mins. Ago set the business card in loosened the bolts coil pulled up tight. Tightened the bolts and vroom vroom. Perfect gap.

I stumbled upon this video a few weeks ago while my wife's Craftsman was having issues and intermittently running on one cylinder. It has a '07 26hp Kohler. I never thought to look for a service bulletin, just thought the thing was toast. Bought and installed the kit you showed and now it runs like new again. Easy fix...just shouldn't be hard to find the SBs or any other info from the company. Thanks for the video!

Run your feeler gauge across both sides of the coil and magnet you get it done in one shot

Jeff, would it be easier to use 2 feeler gauges, than one? That's the way I do it, but then I have a Briggs and Stratton engine on my craftsman mower

Jeff...I have a question regarding my Kohler Engine I bought it used to remod a Bobcat Zero turn and the name plate is gone off of the shroud. Is there any other way to Identify those numbers

I think this guy is a Briggs-Stratin dude, worst under powered and loud engine I ever had, hell, I love my Kohler and would buy another one if I needed to.

some times you just have to cut the lose. Nice job

Wow.. Kohler's are known to never die in my neck of the woods.. Briggs.. is known for being not so good.. anymore

I use 2 feeler gauges to set the coils. I've never had any problems doing it that way

Dad has a command seems to never have any issues

have this one with the old style coils / was popping the 20a breaker after 10 min. of diagnosis it was part no 532-193-350 ignition switch (the key ) had dirt sand down it took it apart cleaned it it works. breaker not popping but ordered a new one $15.00 IDk why does every one dislike this engine just change the oil and filter blow out the air cleaner fresh gas store your mover inside. it is not a car water will damage your stuff happy cutting

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment!

18:22 Those crimp contacts are usually sold on tapes or reels, for large volume purchases. That particular contact came off of a reel, and the seller (factory) just simply cut that single contact off of a large reel of those contacts. So yeah, you are SUPPOSED to remove that little bit of plastic material prior to use.

Thanks Jeff! on the same engine I would like know how to get to the Carburetor? Like you did 1st you took the fitter out but it did not have Bolts have you got a video showing how to do this thanks brother 👍

I hope this helps with my 27HP Kohler Courage. It went from running to not starting back up in the same day. I didn’t realize that the coils required 12v! I unhooked the wiring harness and tried starting it in case I had a ground or ignition issue. No wonder that it still wouldn’t start. But it did show spark on the plugs… maybe without the 12V it doesn’t have strong enough spark. I may try the conversion kit because nothing else seems wrong to be causing the no start.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

It is a common failure on a a bad design

Best way to get gap for coil it squeeze business card works everytime

DYS4500 Minus the coil update needed our 26hp Kohler has been trouble free since 2008 and over 600hrs. !

Amazing video!!! Ordered the conversion kit and installed per your instructions without a hiccup....starts great! I do have a question...even after this conversions, my tractor is running slow and has a little black smoke coming out of the exhaust .....any suggestions? Should I take the carb off and clean it out or adjust?? Craftsman GT6000 with Koehler Courage 26hp engine. Thanks for the knowledge.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

it could be the carburetor or loss of spark on one cylinder, or blown a head gasket

@docroot462

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffsLittleEngineService it will start to idle faster and run faster with less smoke of I hold the choke halfway out. I took apart the carburetor and cleaned it all out. Is a head gasket repair major?

@bryanjohnson7508

2 жыл бұрын

@@docroot462 I think the head gasket repair is about the easiest thing you can do. That is after you get everything apart out of your way.

@philliphall5198

Жыл бұрын

I’m betting a head gasket

I have one that quitt running. Itll startup, smoke, and then quitt. Would that be the coils too? Thxs.

Been running my 25HP Kohler engine for 10+ years and no issues. Not sure why you hate them so much.

Ok, So what year of manufacture were these particular Kohler 26's made that need the updated ignition system because I have a 2006 SV-730-0015 engine and it has the magneto ignition already from factory.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

not sure exactly

Hi. Glad I found this video. I did the same upgrade and gaped ar 10 but I’m not getting any spark at all. I doubt both coils are bad out of the box. You ever come across this? Thanks

@JeffsLittleEngineService

Жыл бұрын

no, I would check all safety switches, maybe disconnect the coil kill/stop/ground wires and see if that changes anything

A tip, run a marine battery terminal and run a ground to motor, frame and harness.

Thank u very very much for the video you solved my problem yessss yesssss thanks

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to help

Thank you so much, ill try it

not all kohlers are bad every engine manufaturers have some bad models older engines and some newers are good too. if i wasthe customer i would replace the ring gear starter and anything else wrong or broken i do not just replace i repair a real mechanic can repair like you jeff thanks for sharing

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

Jeff I have 25 hp Kohler twin on a Troy Bult zero 50. It will no longer cold start if I hit it with Starter Fluid it fires up and when shut off after a warm up or some mowing, it starts right up. Does that sound like a coil problem? Have gone through the carb, thought maybe the solenoid was frozen ... nope.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a carburetor problem. It probably needs cleaning and the gas tank too

The old wiring harness was suppose to be taken off for the coils. Not wire tied down to the intake. You have to make sure the Fuel Cut off solenoid has power to it when the ignition switch is turned on..

@strydyrhellzrydyr1345

2 жыл бұрын

To much for him.. cause.. it's a big piece of poopy crap.. to him.. Also known as more technology.

Great video... My Toro Zero turn has a Koehler, sounds like I’m just waiting for it to go out!!

The part I ordered from Amazon came with two electrical prongs. Any ideas?

Takes Courage to own one!!!

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Haha!

You can use a business card between the coil and flywheel perfect gap

Would ignition System cause a Kohler 27 HP Courage to run for 15 minutes but then start running rough when it gets warm. Every once in a while, it will kick in and run okay for a few minutes only to do it again. Any ideas would be appreciated. Sometimes it will run rough and then backfire. Craftsman 54" Riding mower.

@jackdm3

3 жыл бұрын

Similar here. Searching is telling me ignition coils get hot and hinky after a while. Not getting a tester. Just going to replace the pair at about $15 each. It's an '06 Courage that just turned 1,040 hrs. Only prob I've had was 10-gear starters were yearly replacements until getting 9-tooth and smooth sailing since. And I had dirt in the fuse holder clipped to the "firewall". Overall, it sounds like I got lucky considering the talk here.

Very Good!

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

They are called courage cause it takes a lot of courage to wrk on them!

@davidhunter1227

3 жыл бұрын

No every engine is a simple design don't let a few electronics baffle your brain....

@notajp

3 жыл бұрын

Actually because it takes courage to buy one. The single cylinders are wayyy worse tho......

@TheClintmeister

3 жыл бұрын

Courage in french means shit!

I got so pissed off at the Kohler Courage my last mower had I sold it and went and baught a BadBoy Zero Turn and made damn sure it had the Kawasaki Engine! 6 years later the Kawasaki starts 1st time every time and has never broke down 1 time. I will never buy another Kohler POS again!

Momma always said when thing aggravate daddy, he needs some; Mr. Jeff🙌😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 excellent fix sir 🙌💪💪💪💪💪👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Lol!!!!! Hi Mikey

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Haha!

@ALT_RIGHT

2 жыл бұрын

I'm always aggravated

change my coils out just like you did and wired it the same way, but it won't run with ground wire hooked up, you can unhook the kill wire and it will run great. What could be the problem?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

9 ай бұрын

That means the kill wire/ground wire to the mag/coil is grounded all of the time. It should only be grounded when the key is turned to the off position.

The old Kohler engines are great engines i have an 18hp in my 78 homelight Jacobson it went through 5 foot grass and did not even bog down but the pully broke off of the dech so i dont use that for mowing anymore

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

It is always nice to hear good stories about Kohler products

19:35 I got a laugh out of his amazement that the zip ties were in the Kohler box when he was running out of his own zippies. 10:10 The same ones that were in the box when he first opened the kit !!! Also, broke the fan screen when it wasn't even necessary to remove it in the first place.....SMDH.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

lol!

What did you do about the red wire going to the fuel shut off solenoid

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 ай бұрын

Nothing

SIR: Where Do I Find This Coil Conversion Mod. Kit P/N- For A KT745-3056 ENGINE? TIA.. Cheers...

Nice video. The customer really should replace the flywheel or the teeth will break

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

I agree, I told him that but couldn't persuade him

@shawnlanders2034

2 жыл бұрын

@@JeffsLittleEngineService Well he will be sorry

Love your videos. Does Bonzairod have a website?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry no website for BonzaiRod, thanks for asking. Thanks for watching and listening!

Nice fix, I actually have turned away some Kohler's lately. Takes to long to fix and customers don't want to pay for the hrs. needed to do them correctly. They used to be a great engine, don't know why they let the engineers ruin the company.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Kohler parts are more expensive too

@watermanone7567

4 жыл бұрын

Jeff: Very true, Have you seen the price of the EFI fuel pumps that are failing? Kohler does not back up their stuff very well.

My dad has a Craftsman with a 26hp Kohler that keeps breaking the starter motors. Any suggestions? The guy at the repair shop says this is common on Kohlers. Thoughts???

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

The ring gear may be damaged.

First to take the engine cover off you don't need to remove the fan cover to change the coils.and then i think if you look at the video and look at the starter i would say if you would look at the 2 bolts that hold the starter together and tighten the two small screws that go bottom to top you could have saved you customer a good amount. With the new fan cover and the starter he or she might of been able to pay for the new coil kit.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Good tips but It was not the long bolts on the bottom of the starter, they were tight. The bushings were toast.

@wiremanbob8777

4 жыл бұрын

@@JeffsLittleEngineService I'am sorry but the bushing have nothing to do with the outside cover for the fields moving around . and the power lug moving. Please look at 6:58 min into the film.and tell me how the outside was moving around ,and the mounting bracket stayed still. Thank you Bob

A reputable company would have admitted to their mistake and given the customer the parts to repair their engineering nightmare. BTW......did you mention that Kohler courage engines are a piece of crap?

That ring gear will break the new starter.

Just fitted two new coils. Motor starts OK but when coils are connected to each other, motor cuts out. Ride on goes OK on one coil. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Thank you

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

one coil must still be grounded

@paulravitsky2898

3 жыл бұрын

The white kill wire that connects to the kill terminal on the coil must be connected correctly. Each coil must have a diode in series with it's kill wire. The end of the white kill wire assembly where the 2 diodes are connected to each other goes to the external harness connector. Hope this helps.

im having troubles getting my ride on to run it just stopped it goes with the cylinders primed by hand and funnel and ive put on a new pump so ive ordered a twin plug wire coil wish i knew what the trouble is its all we have to mow with and im sure it would cost a fortune for an electric rideon

Where can i purchase the kit? Do u have a link?

What happened there at the end? Just before the video ended both the kill wires were disconnected?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Very good eye sir. There was an additional problem I encountered that I did not show in this video. The engine would start and run great but was stalling when I would set the park brake and try to get off the seat. Which is not right so I had to go back and troubleshoot one of the safety switches. One of the switches was too dirty and was short circuiting. I had to clean it is all to fix it. I did not include that part of the video beacuse of all the profanity I was using during the filming. lol!

You don't have to take cover bolt all the way out all and before you pull the screen off you pull the outside cover off in the screen pops right off

That’s right just put a business card in between there and you have done that’s a wrap

Replacement coils are on eBay for 13$ each.

@rickycrawford1304

2 жыл бұрын

Stainless0521 replacement coils

Thanks, great job.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jim

Hi, I have this same lawn tractor. Has good spark runs, but no power to mow. What do I do now. ?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

It may be running on 1 cylinder

Like the command engines

Have a Kohler 17hp. on a craftsman Lt 1000 Bought in 2000. I see the 26hp. Cranked right up. My 17hp turns over for about 10 seconds before it runs. Have to choke it. Even if it is hot. What causes this. What can I do to fix it?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

My experience with warm start problems is that the carb needs cleaning and or rebuilding(needs new float needle valve). It is probably getting too much gas when restarting when warm.

Where does the kill wire go is it on the key switch or where

Fantastic thank you, but I h as to say I have a Kohler command for over 15 years and still going strong.. do you feel about all the Kohler engines ,? Also how about the Kawasaki engines as well as Briggs ?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

Kawis aren't too bad. Some Kohlers are better than others

@CHIBA280CRV

4 жыл бұрын

if you had to purchase one engine brand can you tell me which one you would pick ?

@CHIBA280CRV

4 жыл бұрын

No one I ask that make mower repairs ever answer the question on which engine they would purchase if they had to choose one !

@petercrown3837

3 жыл бұрын

@@CHIBA280CRV no engine is good when it's time to work on it , but kawa is the better usually, vanguards are better tan intek on briggs and kohler has commands better than courage

Never had any problems with my Briggs 😉

Hello hello sir will this also fit a Sv 840-0012 we love your videos

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

I am not sure about that. thanks for watching

I have a cub cadet 26 Kohler motor an today I was going across my yard an it stopped running an when I try starting it the motor makes a clanking noise but don't start any help

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

I don't know but that sounds bad.

I'm curious why you think Kohler engines are crap? And is this all Kohlers or certain years or models. I have 3 craftsman mowers all with Kohler engines. My 20 plus year garden tractor 22hp is still running strong... my newer 8-9 year 26 hp Elite 747cc has had a few quirks. I didn't want the Briggs & Stratton models. What's your take? Thanks😊

@JeffsLittleEngineService

8 ай бұрын

The Kohler Courage engine is faulty engineering with lots of problems and so are their push lawnmoer engines. Kohler often tries to reinvent the wheel with their engineering and they usually fail. Kohler also made it difficult to get parts but that issue has gotten better.

WILL ALL ELECTRICAL ACC STILL WORK

I have a problem with one of this, when it runs it smoks a lot and runs bad, if i pinch the hose coming from the valve cover to the fuel pump after a while it runs well, does somebody had the same problem?

Hey man! I’ve got the same POS engine. Kohler SV735s. Twin OHV Courage 26hp. Except it’s on a Cub. And my name is Jeff so I’m gonna watch this video lol These engines are so damn finicky and sensitive. You’ll hurt it’s feelings just by looking at it wrong and it won’t start. Biggest headache I’ve ever owned. After cycling through endless troubleshooting options, I’m about to yank the flywheel and see if I have a sheared key or something. I’ll try ignition coils if it’s not the key or a compression issue. Nice to know that it’s not just me having issues on this pile of crap engine

@JeffsLittleEngineService

Жыл бұрын

LOL! thanks for the comment. Yes the coils are a common problem on this piece of crap.

@jeffdyrland2795

Жыл бұрын

@@JeffsLittleEngineService yet that one mightve been slightly more pile of crappy! I only have 1 wire going to each coil. 4??? 🤷🏼‍♂️

The Short Circuit is behind the screwdriver!!!!!

How well was it running with only one of the coils plugged in?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

it ran, just very low power

@timothycannon6275

4 жыл бұрын

Jeff's Little Engine Service I just ordered one of those kits. Hope it solves the problem. Thanks for the video.

My coil burnt out so I tried the conversion coils like you showed now engine not firing

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 ай бұрын

make sure to wire them correctly, no power wire should be going to the coils now. Just the ground wires/kill wires.

They call them Courage because that’s what you need to depend on one! The old Commands were tanks, though!

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

lol!

@strydyrhellzrydyr1345

2 жыл бұрын

He obviously thinks he knows different.. sorry brian

Got me a laugh when cutting that connector preventing you from finishing 😂

Do you tell what after market parts companies to use in a video?

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

I only use Stens or Rotary aftermarket parts if possible. OEM is always best

Just curious: Why do you think the Kohler Courage is junk? I know that the SINGLE CYLINDER ones were indeed junk- but I haven't heard much bad about the twins, except by people who don't know what they're talking about. [

@JeffsLittleEngineService

19 күн бұрын

That is good news. In the past, kohler made it difficult to get parts . It is getting better now. They also commonly sell parts in "kits" so they can charge you more.

Yes I learned what the issue was with my Courage twin... but cmon man... who the heck gaps each arm of the armature separately. Tighten screws with coil at widest... rotate till magnets cover coil... put business card in between magnet and flywheel. Loosen bolts let it snap to flywheel tighten bolts and walla perfect gap every time... rotate flywheel and pull business card out.

if you have no spark with your riding mower there is a ground lead coming fromthe key switch the M lead when you turn the key to run or start that ground should be gone thats the lead that cuts the eng off when you turn the key off make sure if you can that lead dont stay grounded by a skined wire touching the mower body this ma save going into magnito

My cub cadet every so often runs on one cylinder so I. Guess I need to replace that

@JeffsLittleEngineService

4 жыл бұрын

possibly, several twin models require this kit when there are ANY spark issues

The only problems I have is once a year have to replace a fuel pump power is great

Sounds like a class action is needed

Comparing these with the smaller faulty Courage engines are plain stupid. It’s a great “Command” knock off

@elevatorman427

2 жыл бұрын

My opinion they aren't a bad command knock off either. There is a night day difference I feel like in a Courage twin verses the Courage Singles. My neighbor has a 2009 Craftsman bought new with the 26 hp Courage Twin likes about 7 hours turning over 700 hours and only thing they ever had a problem with was the coils. Sure now that its wore out its little tricky sometimes to start but, a valve adjustment would improve it greatly as in almost 700 hours its never had one.

It would be cause ur checking the gap on a round surface... The angle of arc takes up space

similar video kzread.info/dash/bejne/n5OA09CqhKSwYdI.html. Info was consistent and I used the other one for the business card spacer instead of feeler gauges. I got cheaper and made my own 'adapter kit' with the existing white wire in the harness and some crimp ends that fit the connection on the coils. spent 36 dollars and fixed it.

You broke the snap on plastic air screen cover by not using the screwdriver properly ! You should have placed the screwdriver under the plastic cover and used slight pressure up and it releases easily . I know because I have done this twice for cleaning.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

3 жыл бұрын

good tip

Business card will work for gap

Just connect the white wires and run them to the spade fittings on each of the new coils, and connect the red ones, and jump them over to the carb. but I have a question. the old coils only need one wire, , , ,the white one, so just put on the new coils, and connect the multi-port-abortion that the engineers designed, putting the white female, to the male spade on the new coils. (I don't know if that would work, but I would try that before cutting anything).

@thomasgronek6469

2 жыл бұрын

sorry, I commented early in the video, before you did what you did.

Help. I replaced the ignition coils and the starter. It goes crŕrrrrrrr but wont crank.

@JeffsLittleEngineService

2 жыл бұрын

this problem is not related to the coils