Do vented hoods prolong engine lifespan?

[Vigilant]

I have noticed that the 2014 and 2015 X500s have a line of vents on each side along part of the top of the hood. I would think that, along with the improved grille, would help air flow in the engine compartment a lot, thereby prolonging engine life by allowing it to run cooler. Does anyone care to venture a guess as to how well that vented hood and improved grille would increase air volume and air flow under the hood? Thanks in advance.

 

[oosik]

I would guess that if a vented hood made that much difference - you would see it on EVERY vehicle made. Just to easy a "fix" to pass up.

 

[radios1]

I would guess that if a vented hood made that much difference - you would see it on EVERY vehicle made. Just to easy a "fix" to pass up.

not really, because it costs money to do that, if even a few cents, and also, it may make the engine and components last longer than the manufacturer wants, they want to sell replacement parts!.

 

[oosik]

radios1 - - and you believe that???

 

[4570Man]

There’s a lawn guy in town with 2 JD riders with the hoods removed. It seems intentional to me and not that he broke both hoods. Think he did it for better cooling?

 

[beenthere]

Depends on if talking about water cooled or air cooled engines. The X500 I believe is air cooled. If so, getting all the air through to the engine is likely necessary for prolonging engine life.

I would avoid an air cooled engine.

 

[Vigilant]

Depends on if talking about water cooled or air cooled engines. The X500 I believe is air cooled. If so, getting all the air through to the engine is likely necessary for prolonging engine life.

I would avoid an air cooled engine.

From what I have read, an air cooled Kawasaki lawn tractor engine, with proper maintenance, should run at least 2000 hours before anything major goes wrong. That's all I need. For me, a liquid cooled engine would just be more of a pain in the *** to maintain. I should still be able to mow my .9 acre lawn to age 87 or so. During that time, I would put an estimated 1200 hours on a mower. 2000 hours is plenty for me, and I suspect the engine and trans would still be running strong with proper care and maintenance including Mobil 1 full synthetic engine oil and transmission service every 200 hours or so at our local John Deere dealership. They have won my loyalty, and I recommend them to others.

 

[Industrial Toys]

You want most things to run as cool as possible, meaning not hot. HEAT kills a lot of stuff. Engines, hydraulics, electronics and so forth. But at the same time, you don't want to destroy the cooling path intended by the manufacturer or get debris in where it shouldn't be.

 

[jgayman]

I have noticed that the 2014 and 2015 X500s have a line of vents on each side along part of the top of the hood. I would think that, along with the improved grille, would help air flow in the engine compartment a lot, thereby prolonging engine life by allowing it to run cooler. Does anyone care to venture a guess as to how well that vented hood and improved grille would increase air volume and air flow under the hood? Thanks in advance.

The pre-2014 X500 hoods have large open vents on each side of the hood that run the entire length of the hood. I'm sure the little vents in the top of the hood let out a little bit of heat but I doubt it has any effect on actual engine temperature. Keep in mind that inside the hood is a plastic cowl that only allows air to flow from the flywheel fan.

Where the little vents may have a bit of effect is when you park the tractor after use. The top vents would allow more air to rise out of the engine compartment. During the summer when it is really hot, I always open my hood when I park the tractor in the garage to better allow the heat trapped under the hood to escape quickly.

 

[jgayman]

Depends on if talking about water cooled or air cooled engines. The X500 I believe is air cooled. If so, getting all the air through to the engine is likely necessary for prolonging engine life.

I would avoid an air cooled engine.

There's nothing wrong with an air cooled engine if properly maintained and kept clean. I ran my JD 175 Hydro for over 25 years and it was still going strong when I sold it. My old Toro was still going strong after 15 years. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a water cooled engine but it's just not needed on a 2-CYL gasoline lawn mower engine. If kept clean and given regular oil changes a 2-CYL Kawasaki air cooled engine should last 2000 hours or more.

 

[California]

Air cooled is acceptable technology when properly engineered. Here's a photo of an Eicher farm tractor that must be in the 50hp class at least. Its maybe twice the weight of a MF35.

And the thread where I described the photo.

 

[Vigilant]

The pre-2014 X500 hoods have large open vents on each side of the hood that run the entire length of the hood. I'm sure the little vents in the top of the hood let out a little bit of heat but I doubt it has any effect on actual engine temperature. Keep in mind that inside the hood is a plastic cowl that only allows air to flow from the flywheel fan.

Where the little vents may have a bit of effect is when you park the tractor after use. The top vents would allow more air to rise out of the engine compartment. During the summer when it is really hot, I always open my hood when I park the tractor in the garage to better allow the heat trapped under the hood to escape quickly.

Thanks for the input. I'll take your word for it, but I opened the hood on my 2007 X500 to see where it vents, but I could not see where the open area above and below the yellow strip could vent from inside the engine compartment. Am I missing something?

 

[two_bit_score]

The ZTRs sold for commercial use have no hoods over the engines. Is that to help keep the engines that are sometimes running for many hours at a time cooler? Are the hoods on lawn tractors functional or just cosmetic because not having a hood on a lawn tractor would look ‘odd’?

 

[5030]

From what I have read, an air cooled Kawasaki lawn tractor engine, with proper maintenance, should run at least 2000 hours before anything major goes wrong. That's all I need. For me, a liquid cooled engine would just be more of a pain in the *** to maintain. I should still be able to mow my .9 acre lawn to age 87 or so. During that time, I would put an estimated 1200 hours on a mower. 2000 hours is plenty for me, and I suspect the engine and trans would still be running strong with proper care and maintenance including Mobil 1 full synthetic engine oil and transmission service every 200 hours or so at our local John Deere dealership. They have won my loyalty, and I recommend them to others.

While I'm not impressed with John Deere anything, I will say the Kawasaki 26 horse vertical V twin in my zero turn (not JD) lawnmower is at 1200 hours and runs like a top. Set the overhead myself every 250 meter hours (takes about 15 minutes), change the oil every fall and run good fresh gas in it. Still has the original plugs. Uses no oil but is a pig on gas...lol

My wife also has her own zero turn with a Kohler V twin. Burns oil and I don't expect it to last even 1000 hours. Will be getting a Predator when it pukes.

My first hand experience tells me the Kaw is a good motor, the Kohler isn't.

ooops, better add I change my Hydro-Gear pump oil and filters every other year.

 

[5030]

Air cooled is acceptable technology when properly engineered. Here's a photo of an Eicher farm tractor that must be in the 50hp class at least. Its maybe twice the weight of a MF35.

And the thread where I described the photo.

Air cooled is very acceptable for a medium duty fatm tractor. Have a buddy with a Deutz 4 cylinder air cooled utility tractor than runs and runs. Only issue with an air cooled motor is they are noiser than a water jacketed engine.

 

[jgayman]

Thanks for the input. I'll take your word for it, but I opened the hood on my 2007 X500 to see where it vents, but I could not see where the open area above and below the yellow strip could vent from inside the engine compartment. Am I missing something?

You are correct. The big vents on the side are above the black cowl inside the hood. My point was the little vents on top of the newer hoods are also above the cowl and also only vent the air that comes from the flywheel fan. Below are some photos I took of my X500 this morning. One is showing the view looking in one of the side vents.

 

[Kish318420]

That design is to draw clean, cool air for the engine with allows the carb to draw it in for combustion and then sit via the engine tins to cool the engine and force it out the front cooling the muffler also.

 

[Vigilant]

You are correct. The big vents on the side are above the black cowl inside the hood. My point was the little vents on top of the newer hoods are also above the cowl and also only vent the air that comes from the flywheel fan. Below are some photos I took of my X500 this morning. One is showing the view looking in one of the side vents.

Thanks for the photos. I just opened the hood on mine and shined a light up in the air duct. I see what you mean now. I had my heart set on finding a low-hour '14 or '15 because of the "improved" hood, but the only benefit I can see now would be the "newer" look. Again, I thank you.