Warping Hood on 2320

[tofriendscreek]

I'm curious if any other 2320 owners have this issue. I purchased a 2006 with 16 hours a month and a half ago. It has 39 hours on it now. It is in showroom condition ... except ... when I finished mowing last Sunday, I noticed that at the top of the bottom panel of the hood (where it attaches to the top piece) was warped, like it had gotten hot enough to "melt." This location is where the muffler is situated. Also, there was a place between the warped spot and the dash where the plastice looks like it has bubbled, again like it was hot enough to "melt." Don't have a clue as to whether it will get worse or not. Since I normally blow and clean my equipment after using it, I can say this warped area was not there a week earlier, which was the last time it had been used.

The engine was not overheated or anything out of the ordinary. There is no indication in the owners manuel that tells me whether a heat "shield" should be located on the inside of the hood to protect it from the heat of the muffler or not. The local dealer did not have a 2320 on the lot to check and the parts screen did not show one. I did inquire as to the cost of this piece of plastic and it's just a whopping $275. And It could just be a flaw in the manufacture of this piece.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[MMagis]

I don't know anything about your tractor, so I'm of little help. But, I do know that it can't be any sort of flaw in the part itself. I design thermoformed polyethylene products, and I'm fairly familiar with other processes. Nothing could cause the bubbling that you see without excessive heat. Next time you run it, check how hot the area is when you're done. Seems like there should be a heat shield, but again, I wouldn't know.

 

[Runner]

Not sure if it's the same on the 2320, but my 2520 does have reflective heat shields stuck to the inside of the hood sides. I'm not near it right now, but I'm pretty sure it's on both sides.

 

[LBrown59]

is it warranty covered?

I'm curious if any other 2320 owners have this issue. I purchased a 2006 with 16 hours a month and a half ago. It has 39 hours on it now. It is in showroom condition ... except ... when I finished mowing last Sunday, I noticed that at the top of the bottom panel of the hood (where it attaches to the top piece) was warped, like it had gotten hot enough to "melt." This location is where the muffler is situated. Also, there was a place between the warped spot and the dash where the plastice looks like it has bubbled, again like it was hot enough to "melt." Don't have a clue as to whether it will get worse or not. Since I normally blow and clean my equipment after using it, I can say this warped area was not there a week earlier, which was the last time it had been used.

The engine was not overheated or anything out of the ordinary. There is no indication in the owners manuel that tells me whether a heat "shield" should be located on the inside of the hood to protect it from the heat of the muffler or not. The local dealer did not have a 2320 on the lot to check and the parts screen did not show one. I did inquire as to the cost of this piece of plastic and it's just a whopping $275. And It could just be a flaw in the manufacture of this piece.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[tofriendscreek]

I don't know about the plastic process per se, but I find it very curious that the place where the lower piece has bowed or where it has a slight "run" like when you put too much spray paint on too quickly, there is NO corresponding bow or anything on the top section which is immediate and adjacent. If overheating were the problem, it wouldn't stop at a seem would it?

The alignment of the hood is fine. The motor mounts are tight. The engine was not overheated. I've checked with John Deere and there are no service bulletins, no technical memos, no one has heard of or at least reported this issue before. Again, I don't know plastic processing, but do feel that it is the part itself.

 

[MMagis]

Maybe I completely misunderstood your description. Can you take a picture?

 

[Runner]

For what it's worth, on the 2320/2520, the top part of the hood is metal and the bottom (sides) is plastic.

 

[MMagis]

Since I normally blow and clean my equipment after using it, I can say this warped area was not there a week earlier, which was the last time it had been used.

Wouldn't this eliminate the possibility of it being from the manufacturing process?

 

[LBrown59]

Wouldn't this eliminate the possibility of it being from the manufacturing process?

No:
He should be able to operate/use /run the tractor with out such activity melting the hood.

JD owes him a new hood under warranty.

 

[tofriendscreek]

Thanks to everyone who has read this thread and those that took the time to reply. There are still no answers. I took a few pictures this morning, but the internet was down so I couldn't upload them. I'll try again this evening.

First, I didn't realize the top section was metal. Didn't give it thought actually. All my "recent", previous Deere's have had plastic hoods.

Second, as mentioned in my original post, my 2320 is a 2006. It had 16 hours on it when purchased and was in showroom condition. But, it's out of the normal warranty period. I have been in contact with the dealer. They are attempting to talk Deere into sending me a replacement piece, based on the literal fact that this machine hasn't been used enough to even break it in. I will let them do their thing before I step into it and start talking to Deere myself. Thanks again all.