2007 ZD331 Issue

[4wheelfurry]

I bought a ZD331LP 72" in 2008, it was a demo sold to me as used with 200hrs on it however it retained its full warranty and I am the first registered owner. It now has 250hrs and I only use it to mow my place, no commercial use at all.
It has been in my shead since last season, I went to pull it out and get it ready to go for this year and the battery was dead. I lifted the hood and out falls the Exhaust and manifold onto the floor!!
Turns out the manifold broke off on all 3 exhaust ports and the muffler assy fell down onto the starter wire causing the entire harness to melt and it grounded against the hood bracket and partially melted the lower section of the hood trim on the back of the hood!! Needless to say I'm pizzed called my local dealer and they have forwarded my info to some rep or whoever. I really don't know how this happened or when it happened. It has been locked away in my shead for several months, no sign of foul play... The dealer guy said there is a tech service bulliton on manifolds cracking but he'd never seen one break off completely. It did go out of warranty last year however that is when I believe this happened. There is some sign of exhaust smut on the engine and hood and I believe I ran it a few min after the initial break (maybe putting it up for the season).
I honestly don't know how to argue my case to whoever calls me back if they even do... It has to be fixed obviously and it makes my blood boil to think that I have to replace a manifold that broke off due to a defect of some sort!! Not to meantion a harness and hood grill kit pluss I have a burn spot where it discolored the paint on the hood itself!
Anyone ever seen this happen? Any suggestions on how to handle??

 

[Gator6x4]

"Turns out the manifold broke off on all 3 exhaust ports and the muffler assy fell down onto the starter wire causing the entire harness to melt and it grounded against the hood bracket and partially melted the lower section of the hood trim on the back of the hood!!"

Beyond my comprehension level.

 

[jcummins]

ZD326 here......I have a friend that has the same model and his broke like that. He was here and opened up mine, which was a newer model...and saw an extra bracket to brace that manifold that he did not have.

The short of it...it has happened to others, and Kubota added a support bracket on the newer models. In his case, the dealer fixed by adding that bracket.

 

[KJINTF]

How about posting some pictures
I sure hope Kubota has a proper low or zero cost fix for you even out of warranty.

 

[psdx]

Can you post a picture of the bracket so I can check it against mine?

 

[4wheelfurry]

I'll sanp some pics and load them this weekend. Mine does not have any sort of bracket to help support the muffler. Thanks for stating that I'll hunt that down as well.
I reported the problem to Kubota Saturday and it is now Thursday and not so much as a peep from them! As I figured looks like this will come out of my pocket... I do know one thing if they don't offer anything, no appology, no kiss my %*# this will be the last Kubota probuct I ever buy! And I am getting ready to purchase a tractor next year.

 

[psdx]

If there is exhaust smut on the inside of the hood from running after the failure it seems like the increase in noise would be hard to miss?

 

[masalser]

Ours broke the exhaust manifold as well. It was very loud when it happened. In looking at it I concluded that at least in our case the failure was caused by the engine cover being slightly out of alignment and touching the exhaust pipe. Over time I think the vibration from the cover fatigued the manifold and caused it to crack off. I'll look and see if they added a support bracket

 

[4wheelfurry]

Well it went just as I figured it would go. Out of warranty and Kubota Corp will not do anything for me. Won't help in any way... So an obvious design flaw is my fault, guess I shouldn't have started and run it! It wouldn't have ever broken! So that is about $500 out of my pocket. Thanks Kubota

 

[Kays Supply]

You got me to thinking, and my ZD326 is a 2007. I called my local guy and he said it fell into the serial numbers that had an issue. His results were " repair as needed". He couldn't tell me if there was a preventative fix. He "will call me back". We will see how that goes.

 

[4wheelfurry]

You got me to thinking, and my ZD326 is a 2007. I called my local guy and he said it fell into the serial numbers that had an issue. His results were " repair as needed". He couldn't tell me if there was a preventative fix. He "will call me back". We will see how that goes.

I bet you will fall into the same category as me, there is no formal recall so if it ain't broke there is no problem and if it does break then it is out of warranty... Unless you prefer to get an extended warranty for just such occasion, I did not. However I did Google the Item # and ended up getting a new manifold for $65.00. It fit a welding machine with the 331 engine. Beats $350 the STEALER quoted me! I repaired my harness, replaced the battery and patched up the hood, I'll be back in business when the manifold gets here. I will eventually get the hood trim that melted, another $50.00 should be good as new.

As for the bracket, the newer serial model mowers come with BUT the muffler was redesigned to accept a bracket and two head bolts need to be replaced with stud bolts. Total cost to upgrade to the new style is around $300 for all parts not counting the manifold! I plan to build a bracket of some sort and bolt it to existing bolts on the muffler and engine block. Done deal

Pics posted:

 

[jcummins]

Here's how the bracket fits in on my ZD326.

 

[Kays Supply]

Thanks a bunch for the picture. Can you get one of the mounting point on the engine?

 

[Kays Supply]

I gave up on the factory " doing the right thing" so I took the picture of the bracket to my dealer. He has ordered the bracket for me that bolts to the engine. I plan to make a bracket for my stock muffler. I hope this prevents the issue.

 

[Kays Supply]

Update, still waiting for OEM bracket. It has been on BO for 2 weeks. " He'll call me when it comes in."

 

[Knifemaker]

I have a ZD331 that was purchased new in August 2007 and this morning the exact same thing happened to me. I cranked the mower and bammm!, the exhaust manifold broke off uniformly on all three ports. The pictures posted by 4wheelfurry could be pictures taken of my mower. Has there been any change in Kubota's attitude toward this OBVIUOS defect?