Kohler Courage 19hp- crank, no start
 

Hello all. Im glad I found this place and hopefully can help fix my problem.

2009 Cub Cadet LTX 1040, 19HP Kohler Courage


I bought the mower knowing that it didn't start. I was told that they mowed the grass last friday, shut it off and attached the hose to the mower deck to clean it, then after cleaning the deck, tried to start mower and nothing but a single backfire. Motor cranks but does not fire.

- There is spark
- No OEM fuel pump on this sv590-0220 19 HP Kohler, so there is no 'bad' fuel pump to contend with
- Good fuel flow from inline filter to carburetor
- New spark plug and correctly gapped at .030
- Clean air filter/breather assembly
- Removed and thoroughly cleaned carb with carb cleaner and compressed air
- Installed new carb solenoid repair kit from dealer
- New carb solenoid was tested by connecting the electrical connectors and the plunger engages/disengages with the key off and on
- I have 12 v going to the carb solenoid connector
- Battery is new and strong and I keep it charged after a series of 'cranking'.
- Fresh gas, 3/4 tank.
- Oil level is good
- COMPRESSION TEST - 0 PSI

-If i throw some gas into the carb so that it gets into the cylinder, it will make one big backfire and that's it. Same goes for a shot of carb cleaner into the carb/cylinder.

Took the valve cover off....the rocker arm on the EX side practically fell off the valve spring and push rod.

When I turn the motor by hand and the valve opens or closes, the rocker will become tight again.

The IN side doesn't have any looseness or play.

I've read/youtube video, describing how the valve guide on the EX side is prone to coming loose and shimmy up the valve, keeping it from closing/opening completely. True?
http://oi60.tinypic.com/v6m1oi.jpg

Welcome to OCC!



I'm sorry.... I don't understand what it is you want to know?
Compression check 0PSI, and with that pic you found the problem. Sooooo...... what exactly is it you are asking?

Sorry, was in a rush this morning.

Could i simply put a new head with valves and springs on, or should motor be torn down to check for further damage?

Id rather just slap a new/used head on it.

Also, has anybody seen this before? Just trying to confirm that this is the actual problem as far as i can tell fir now

Take the head off and see what your dealing with. Just my 2 cents but I wouldn't put too much into it, those engines just don't last all that long.

I'd say that's good advice from what I've researched.

I'll pull the head, see what that tells me. If I can get it running for a $50 used head, I'll be happy. I'm in the mower for about $300 as it is.

Maybe you can find a replacement engine on Craig's list or Flea Bay that will fit in the tractor.

Took the head off today and this is what I found. Piston looks fine.

Before I took the head off today, I found a 20HP Kohler courage local to me....Rod broke and came out of the cases. After researching part numbers, it checked out that the 20HP and 19HP Kohler Courage engines are the same as far as I could tell....Only thing I could find is that this 20 had a fuel pump. The 20 came off a LT 1045, mine is a LTX 1040.

So for $50, I got the complete motor...starter, carb, exhaust, etc...

Pulled the head off the 20HP Kohler, and it looks great, piston looks good, no apparent PTV issues (piston to valve).

The head/cylinder gasket and valve cover gasket looks good...I want to re-use them but I guess I'll buy new and make it right. I already have new exhaust and carb gaskets from the carb solenoid repair kit I already put on the 19HP.

http://oi62.tinypic.com/2h8ae89.jpg
http://oi60.tinypic.com/5wxgp.jpg

Definitely replace the head gasket. This is a good how to regarding getting the head nice and flat.
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=5656

Yup, ordered it today along with the 'updated' valve cover and gasket kit.
Guess they are notorious for leaking so CC updated the valve cover design and gasket.

No, Kohler did. :BlahBlah::BlahBlah:

Cub Cadet builds tractors.:biggrin2: