It is a Kohler Courage SV600 20HP on a Craftsman Zero Turn Mower. Here is what I have found and done so far. 1) Checked fuel flow after filter but before fuel pump - OK. 2) Checked fuel flow out of fuel pump by adding a piece of hose out of fuel pump - OK. 3) Checked for spark using B&S tester - OK. 4) Changed spark plug with new one. 5) Checked Fuel solenoid by actually seeing shaft go up and down - OK. 6) Checked compression - Got ZERO. Removed valve cover and found exhaust rocker arm completely off valve. Checked push rod to see if it was bent - OK. Re-assembled valve/rocker arm and adjusted both valves after bringing piston up on TDC. Intake .005 Exhaust .007. 7) tried to start engine - nothing. 8) Removed bowl from carb and blew air up main jet. 9) Tried starting again - nothing. 10) Poured a little gas down cylinder didnt start but got backfire. Have not checked flywheel key as yet because I have to remove parts of frame to get blower housing completely off. What is peculiar is that the spark plug is always dry however the carb is damp where the air filter mounts. The bowl did have gas in it whem I removed it. All help will be greatly appreciated.

I have a Kohler courage 23 (cub cadet) motor that will start, but blows thick white smoke and gas out the exhaust pipe? I removed the feul pump and poured gas directly into the carb intake, it ran and no more white smoke came from exhaust, so I don't think any seals or rings, etc.. are bad. The compression is good, i can put my hand over the intake and it sucks my hand in very well. This pump is controled by the engine compression via a diaphram below pump creating suction. Not water cooled. It does pump the gas hence the ehaust spew and white smoke. Could the pump be bad, ie: possibly spilling the gass into the diaphram area (cylinder head)? Has anyone had to deal with this too? Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me.