Kohler Courage 18 - Stop the Surging 

I tried this just now on my old CubCadet LTX 1045 (a piece of junk if there ever was one) and it worked. But it also caused the idle to speed up too much. I was able to get a screwdriver on it, so I just twisted it out about 5 turns, then back in 5 turns. Did this half a dozen times, then turned it back in to where the idle was normal. No more surging. I must have somehow dislodged some dirt or something because now it idles and runs with no surge. So glad to solve the issue without having to wait for a new carb. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I would never have known about how to access that idle screw without this video.

This is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks, headed to the garage….

Thanks for the info! My engine has been surging for a while but is still going strong otherwise on my 2009 model Troy-bilt Bronco riding mower.

Thanks , I was having the same problem I adjusted the screw like you said and it worked so all the way from near Corpus Christi Texas thank you again.

Nice. Kohler should change the name from "Courage" to "Discourage"! I enjoy all your videos. Thanks!

Thank you. I was going to start searching for a jet but you saved me a lot of time

Great video ,just adjusted valves ,now going to do this adjustment on aftermarket carb ,Thanks Again

Thanks for sharing. You have a new Subscriber. 👍 I have one of these motors that blew up. I’m getting ready to do a video on replacing it.

Great video! I’m having this issue with the same aftermarket carb you have at the end. I’m also carbon fouling spark plugs like crazy (2 plugs in two .5 acre cuts). New to small motor repair but I’ve run the gamut on checking the entire fuel system. I had it running well enough to cut about a week ago with no surge and came back to it barely holding an idle and surging / backfiring like crazy. Going to check this out tomorrow and see if it helps the surge at all (with my 3rd spark plug).

I had replaced my Kohler carburetor with a carburetor off of eBay. And it's been surging ever since. I checked everything. But now I believe I have found the problem. When they milled out for the slow jet idle screw, they over milled and cut a pinhole into the top of the bowl inside the carburetor, causing it to suck air from inside the bowl. I put some gas resistant sealer on it and waiting for it to cure.

Idle down before shutting off. Good info.

My Kohler 5400 series engine surged at high throttle and I bought a couple of cans of Berryman B12 Chemtool carb and intake cleaner. I sprayed it into the carburetor and it stopped the surging

Thankyou! I just bought one of those after market carbs. I needed to know where that jet was.

That fixed mine as well although I had to actually go clockwise a few turns, granted it was a new aftermarket carb

It’s the fuel pump,it slowly pumps fuel meaning it’s about to be replaced.

I’m going to try this! Thank you

Great video, I had to remove a Welch plug to get yo mine... HOWEVER... it didn't help.😢 Another guy posted about the gasket behind the carb spacer, checked mine...and.... It didn't help either 😢 This mower has been worked on by someone who probably shouldn't be using fisher price tools, things broke, missing, blades mounted upside down. You name it. Multiple barb issues, but that's for another time. Mine ended up being a poorly adjusted governor lever. But thanks for the video

That was awesome. I wonder if it's the same for the Kohler Courage 25 ?? Mine does surge too and am new to the Courage Engines.

Ever tried non-ethanol gasoline? Try it sometime. Works wonders.

Thank you very much......Fixed my problem..

Ok so you first say your going to turn it counter cloclo kwise then after removing the air filter cover you explain how your turning the screw for needle clock wise. Which is it? Counter clock wise or clockwise. I now know where the problem is but not the direction I should be turning in order to stop the surge. I've listened three times now and you give both directions.

sounds good. Did you try and set the throttle to the low setting to see if it will start surging again??

I bought an aftermarket carb like the one you have and as I try to adjust that screw it turns in back the wrong way by itself.

Check plastic junk between carb and intake. Mine was cracked sucking air causing surge.

I have this issue. Going to give it a shot.

I tried this on my courage 18 on my cub cadet and it didn't work. Idk what's going on with it but it's like the choke is backwards lately. I used to start it in one position and now it's complete opposite and still dies.

Question. I keep having fire coming out of the exhaust. How do I stop it?

How's it doing these days? Mine is doing the same thing. Was that full throttle you were at? I'm pretty sure it was. Mine purrs low throttle and surges awful at full throttle if you throw it into full throttle. Not so much if you gradually add throttle. It's a jerk when it wants to be.

How can u remove the plastic fuel cap on the mix reg Tks

Just curious, my new kohler 5400 18.5 HP has a very slight skip, not bad under load, but on the mid to lower idle. Is it the same adjustment on these newer engines?

as far as that needle you removed at the end - you have no idea where it was set. what you should have done is screw it in, counting the turns, until it is LIGHTLY seated, then remove it. that way you can set it back where it was set out of the box. not that that is the correct setting but it is certainly closer than just removing and guessing.

How did you start your engine not seated? Bypassing the safety switch?

bought used courage 20 in a husqvarna 46 inc cut...the linkage I guess gov linkage is not hooked to anything can you show proper linkage for this carb set up thank you

I have a Kohler Courage 19 and just put a new carb on it and it is hesitant to start. Cranks fine and will sometimes start but usually I need to give it a spritz of starting fluid. Would I need to adjust the screw that is on the top of the carb to richen up the mixture?

I tried this but not better yet. But also my emergency shut off solenoid is leaking fuel and the wire broke off. What do you think?

THANKYOU

On the internet Koehler show up teen different carburators.

Cheers. My problem solved.

this done at the very low rpm of the throttle, right?

Very mild surge. That is the air fuel mixture screw. That usually doesn't work on many more severe issues. They do have a low/ idle circuit. The Jet for that is in the ventury and in the fuel pickup tube in the bowl. Sometimes this ckt can become clogged and not allow enough fuel at idle to run wo hunt surge condition. U didn't let it run at idle so we dont know if u actually repaired it lol

That is the air/fuel mixture screw adjustment, not a jet. Good job, engine was running too lean.

weak governor spring....

Th as nks

Uhhh, your telling everyone clockwise turns... you are turning it counter-clockwise.

A little ratcheting screwdriver would’ve been the correct way to make that adjustment

Thanks for sharing. You have a new Subscriber. 👍 I have one of these motors that blew up. I’m getting ready to do a video on replacing it