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Hello everyone, I have a 2014 Craftsman 7400 Pro Series with the 26HP Kohler motor with a 54" deck. I'm having problems with the service tech from Sears where I bought the mower and extended warranty from and it's good until 2019. The fan shroud cracked at the bolt holes and broke off the engine. The service tech says it's "just for ascetics and doesn't help cool the engine". It's been a couple weeks since he's been out to replace the broken EZ Change system on the mower deck and now after 20 minutes of operating the mower, you can visually see lots of heat radiating off the engine and a hot smell. My question, is the fan shroud (looks like a funnel over the fan) required on the mower, or am I wrong? I've looked the part up on sears, it's about $25. But it says it takes on average 2 hours to replace. The service calls are covered under warranty so it won't cost me anything to call the service tech back out. Thanks

CraftsmanOwner said:

Hello everyone, I have a 2014 Craftsman 7400 Pro Series with the 26HP Kohler motor with a 54" deck. I'm having problems with the service tech from Sears where I bought the mower and extended warranty from and it's good until 2019. The fan shroud cracked at the bolt holes and broke off the engine. The service tech says it's "just for ascetics and doesn't help cool the engine". It's been a couple weeks since he's been out to replace the broken EZ Change system on the mower deck and now after 20 minutes of operating the mower, you can visually see lots of heat radiating off the engine and a hot smell. My question, is the fan shroud (looks like a funnel over the fan) required on the mower, or am I wrong? I've looked the part up on sears, it's about $25. But it says it takes on average 2 hours to replace. The service calls are covered under warranty so it won't cost me anything to call the service tech back out. Thanks

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I would take pictures of the mower , CLOSE-UP'S of the ID stickers (so the ENTIRE sticker is readable, CLOSE-UP'S of the engine ( especially of the cracked shroud -stud areas ) MANY pics !! Gather ALL the paper-work you have , sales receipt, warranty contract etc. put it ALL together . I would then find out the name of the STORE Manager (where you bought the machine) the name of the Outdoor Equipment Manager ( the FIRST person to see) and proceed to go to that store .....
(AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT !! ) in a very nice tone of voice, explain to them your situation, the paper-work
shows its yours and that you paid for THEIR product, The extended warranty shows it should be covered,
( as far as I know the engine shroud is NOT a NORMAL-WEAR replaceable item ... such as tires and belts etc.)
IF the person does NOT please you , DO NOT get "HUFFY" with them, simply but calmly collect ALL your paper-work and leave that person to find the STORES MANAGER . Repeat the situation to that person, NICELY !! then if no satisfaction there tell the store manager you would like them to please call corporate HDQTRS. They may refuse
and at this point you may have to go home and call them on your own and again repeat the process. Even if the shroud is made of "plastic" it should last many years. (also , never ran across a shroud that takes 2 hours ( ???)to
R & R ..???) Be sure to keep all your paper-work and (pictures --which you SAVE on a Flash-Drive or SD card .)

Try this, .. and lets see if we can get you a new shroud , in any case the shroud ( for the engine IS necessary as it encapsules the cooling air-flow from the engine fan, to surround the engine to PREVENT OVER-HEATING ,as far as it not being necessary ... why would the engine manufacturer put an item on an engine if it was NOT necessary ..??
it takes time and costs money to do that! Would you go and remove the engine cooling fan(s) shrouds from your personal vehicles ?? I think not !! THEY are there for a REASON !!

According to the store, Sears handles all of their repairs by using 3rd party contractors. So "Bob's Small Engine" 6 towns away might be the ones that show up to repair the mower. But the last couple times I've had repair issues, it's been the same tech who drives up from Wichita Falls, Texas. It's about a 2 hour drive to get to my house from there (welcome to rural Oklahoma). The last time he said there wasn't even suppose to be a shroud and he couldn't find a part number for it. A few minutes digging around on google have me the pet name, location and part number. However, the technician still says it's only for looks and won't replace it. After talking to Sears on the phone yet again, they said another company will be called. We will see. Service is scheduled for this upcoming Thursday 6/29. Sears also refused to order the part for me until the tech can get there to examine the mower to be sure its "needed" and not just for looks... ?

just to let you know ,when seeking information , it's important you provide information about your machine
7400 is your SERIES of mower we need the MODEL number and a bit more ,..see example..



this info is USUALLY found on a sticker found under the seat on Craftsman mowers ,ENGINE info
is USUALLY on the engine itself.

CraftsmanOwner said:

View attachment 32872

According to the store, Sears handles all of their repairs by using 3rd party contractors. So "Bob's Small Engine" 6 towns away might be the ones that show up to repair the mower. But the last couple times I've had repair issues, it's been the same tech who drives up from Wichita Falls, Texas. It's about a 2 hour drive to get to my house from there (welcome to rural Oklahoma). The last time he said there wasn't even suppose to be a shroud and he couldn't find a part number for it. A few minutes digging around on google have me the pet name, location and part number. However, the technician still says it's only for looks and won't replace it. After talking to Sears on the phone yet again, they said another company will be called. We will see. Service is scheduled for this upcoming Thursday 6/29. Sears also refused to order the part for me until the tech can get there to examine the mower to be sure its "needed" and not just for looks... 

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Other than safety stickers, if it has any, there are no superfluous, "just for looks" parts on these engines. Every one is there for a reason and the fan shroud is probably the most important one of all on air cooled engines.

Worst case, if Sears won't help you, contact Kohler and see if they'll supply you with a new shroud. May cost a few bucks but better than burning up an engine.

It is just a duct designed to improve the cooling by drawing most of the cooling air in through the slots in the hood .
Without it the engine should run just fine and you will not damage the engine without it on.
OTOH it will run cooler with the duct on as most of the air will be clean and not be preheated by passing over the engine before it gets blown over the fins.
The air filter will be far less prone to clogging up.
The deluxe models have them, the std models don't have them.
You can get a similar effect by simply removing the hood.

bertsmobile1 said:

It is just a duct designed to improve the cooling by drawing most of the cooling air in through the slots in the hood .
Without it the engine should run just fine and you will not damage the engine without it on.
OTOH it will run cooler with the duct on as most of the air will be clean and not be preheated by passing over the engine before it gets blown over the fins.
The air filter will be far less prone to clogging up.
The deluxe models have them, the std models don't have them.
You can get a similar effect by simply removing the hood.

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So I don't have to worry about it damaging the engine with out the fan shroud on it? I just didn't want to ruin the engine and it only having 123.8hrs on it.

Remember Sears is on it way to going out of biz. I would want the engine blower housing replaced if it were me.

And as a last resort (Emphasize LAST resort) contact the BBB & file a complaint against Sears.

I had to do this many years ago on a new craftsman tractor, the transaxle went bad right at 2 yr. warranty ending. It was the manual Dana 6 speed (chinese crap) that they didn't even have parts for. (obsolete).

BBB got onto Sears, & they supplied my with the complete Peerless 6 speed & select brackets that I requested to do the swap over.

Buddy,
It is not the blower housing he is missing it is just a duct to bridge the gap between the blower housing and the hood on a model that has a vented hood.

CraftsmanOwner said:

So I don't have to worry about it damaging the engine with out the fan shroud on it? I just didn't want to ruin the engine and it only having 123.8hrs on it.

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NO, NO, NO, Bert is only implying what you MIGHT hear from them as excuses,... He's making a sarcastic remark towards Sears. RE-READ the post .

DO NOT run the engine WITHOUT the shroud in place for more than a couple of minutes ( for diagnostic or observational )
purposes. The shroud needs to be on the engine to prevent OVER-HEATING condition !!! The shroud should be removed
at least seasonally to clean engine cooling fins and check for leaks . If you must , buy a new shroud and install it, then try to get reimbursed from Sears (keep your receipt,..though it might only be good for butt-wipe) . Yes Sears may go down the tubes , ...BUT someone will take-on their parts and contract obligations .

Boobala said:

NO, NO, NO, Bert is only implying what you MIGHT hear from them as excuses,... He's making a sarcastic remark towards Sears. RE-READ the post .

DO NOT run the engine WITHOUT the shroud in place for more than a couple of minutes ( for diagnostic or observational )
purposes. The shroud needs to be on the engine to prevent OVER-HEATING condition !!! The shroud should be removed
at least seasonally to clean engine cooling fins and check for leaks . If you must , buy a new shroud and install it, then try to get reimbursed from Sears (keep your receipt,..though it might only be good for butt-wipe) . Yes Sears may go down the tubes , ...BUT someone will take-on their parts and contract obligations .

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No Boo,
The part number he quoted is for the ducting that goes from the debris guard on the blower housing to the vent.
Look it up.
Good to have one there long term but in reality the engine will be happy without it.
The OP just used the wrong name.
The mower has a blower housing this is an "Induction Duct"
The better ( top end ) residentials have them, all Kubotas have them, come Cubs used them most Hondas have one.
Sucks air from outside the hood where it is away from the engine heat.
Most end up busted fairly early on because they really need a big foam seal to compensate for twist in the bonnet.
Some bolt them to the bonnet , others bolt them to the engine

HOLD-ON AFTER reading Berts post , ... and re-reading ALL the posts , I think all concerned were a bit confused
THIS IS WHY pics are SO HELPFUL !!!

I THOUGHT you were describing the MAIN engine shroud, ... when in actuality ,..you MEANT what most call
a PLENUM ! it sits in top of the engine shroud . The Plenum is usually a separate part ...YES you can run the engine safely with-out the plenum as Bert stated, NOW, I hope we have this straight !
I would still fight to get it, you bought it , paid for it, you deserve it !!

Boobala said:

HOLD-ON AFTER reading Berts post , ... and re-reading ALL the posts , I think all concerned were a bit confused
THIS IS WHY pics are SO HELPFUL !!!

I THOUGHT you were describing the MAIN engine shroud, ... when in actuality ,..you MEANT what most call
a PLENUM ! it sits in top of the engine shroud . The Plenum is usually a separate part ...YES you can run the engine safely with-out the plenum as Bert stated, NOW, I hope we have this straight !
I would still fight to get it, you bought it , paid for it, you deserve it !!

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Two countries divided by a common language
Plenum chamber to me is a large chamber connected to the induction side of the carb to reduce induction hiss.
Or a collector where headder pipes join together before they go to the muffler.

bertsmobile1 said:

Two countries divided by a common language
Plenum chamber to me is a large chamber connected to the induction side of the carb to reduce induction hiss.
Or a collector where headder pipes join together before they go to the muffler.

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I was just rushing through Berts post , .. where I read OTOH ..(On The Other Hand )

when I actually THOUGHT... I read UTOH which is a common American term meaning, Ooops, hold-on, wait a minute,
seeing a mistake , and a few other things ... yep schitt happens !!

This is ALL Berts FAULT !! HE should have said ,... (BUT THEN AGAIN !!) ( LOL ) ..:laughing: ..:laughing: ..:laughing: ..:laughing: ,... Just kidding Bert !! .... Boo

PICTURES REALLY HELP !

just to prove my point , ( just for schitts & giggles )
my 46" Murray engine with PLENUM !!

...

see item number 39

( these parts are installed at the MOWER mfg. facility ,..they are NOT considered Engine parts...
as different mowers ( from different manufacturers , BUT, using the same model of engine , have different Engine / Frame / Body configurations .

...

Of course not all MFG'S will call a plenum , ..a plenum !!

Boobala said:

I THOUGHT you were describing the MAIN engine shroud, ... when in actuality ,..you MEANT what most call a PLENUM !

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Sorry about that Boo. I wasn't sure what the name was, all I knew was it looked very similar to a fan shroud commonly found on radiator fans in automobiles. Yes, it does do what you are saying, pulling air through the vent in the hood so cooler air not inside the hood blows over the engine cooling it better.

My description of the part seems to be the issue of the confusion, and of that I do apologize.

CraftsmanOwner said:

Sorry about that Boo. I wasn't sure what the name was, all I knew was it looked very similar to a fan shroud commonly found on radiator fans in automobiles. Yes, it does do what you are saying, pulling air through the vent in the hood so cooler air not inside the hood blows over the engine cooling it better.

My description of the part seems to be the issue of the confusion, and of that I do apologize.

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Not your fault, this is what drives us crazy on these forums , communication is vital, and as we all just experienced,
sometimes a single word can cause a good deal of confusion, I always stress the fact to folks , that whenever they do work on their machine be it a mower , micro-wave or clothes dryer, your camera is your BEST FRIEND !! it can
become your manual, and you can take take all the pics you want and delete what you don't want , my own pic's
have saved me countless hours of research and migraines !! We are fortunate we all wound up on the same page and a common understanding, keep us updated about your machine, I'm sorry for adding to the confusion !! ..Boobala

:confused2:

Boo it doesn't help either that different manufacturers call the same part different names for their equipment. My favorite has to be Stihl's rope rotor.

ILENGINE said:

Boo it doesn't help either that different manufacturers call the same part different names for their equipment. My favorite has to be Stihl's rope rotor.

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I think it's safe in saying , BEFORE posting something , go back and check at least the LAST post or more of a thread.. it has happened though where 2 parties are posting at the same time and the time diifference in the posts confuses the desired content of one or the
other and then the chaos begins !!
Rope Rotor ...?? Sounds good to me, I'll take a dozen !! ..:laughing:

Well, the Sears tech came back out today and changed 3 mandrals, 3 EZChange bar blade holders (clamps that allow easy changing of the blades with out tools), and took off the valve cover to apply sealant (silicone) so that it works as a gasket and stops the oil leak. However, he refused to fix/change/replace the Plenum (spelling?) that directs outside air into the engine fan. He said that it was more of an ascetic (for looks) part and wasn't covered under the warranty. Hey, I tried though right? He did take the plastic cover off the top of the engine though to inspect the fan itself and to check for more oil leaks. He didn't find any, however I noticed the engine had lots of gunk, dirt, dust and grass buildup under the cover. So I asked him to leave the cover off and I would power wash it tomorrow at the local car wash. Just wanted to update everyone. I'm ok with the service today, and even though that part wasn't covered because it won't cause harm to the engine, at least my mind is at ease knowing that. It may be because I am not mechincally inclined, but at least I learned something today.

That engine cover needs to come off once a year ( at least ) and the cooling fins cleaned.
Build up of grass will cause it to overheat then the alloy head goes soft and you are in all sorts of problems.
Silicon on the rocker cover will come back to bite you on the bum because that should come off around 200 hr intervals to check the valve lash.
So for now you have a year or two to worry about that but cleaning off the old silicone takes longer than adjusting the valves.
Gaskets are cheap and if you put come HT Axel grease on the engine side so it strips off clean it can be reused many times.

OTOH. silicon on the cracked Phelem won't hurt and some thick sponge to allow some movement while maintaining a sort of seal

Pressure wash at car wash ? Wow !!! I would only use air pressure from compressor or leaf blower, & if needed some 'brake clean' sprayed on the grubbiest areas.
Pressure washer could water down many areas that should never be hit with hi-pressure water, like the electrics etc.

7394 said:

Pressure wash at car wash ? Wow !!! I would only use air pressure from compressor or leaf blower, & if needed some 'brake clean' sprayed on the grubbiest areas.
Pressure washer could water down many areas that should never be hit with hi-pressure water, like the electrics etc.

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I'm Joining in with "NUMBERS" ( 7394) (everybody NEEDS a name (LOL) ) ... NO POWER WASHING, NADA, VERBOTEN, NO !
power washing forces water into places it should NEVER know !! an occasional washing down with the garden-hose ( on SUNNY DAYS ) to help it dry FAST ! and using an airhose to blow it off will greatly extend the life of your machine . I blow my machine off after EVERY cutting ( I do have a compressor ) or a leaf blower will work too! ESPECIALLY the cutting deck ,all around the pulleys and belts. If possible, NEVER cut when the lawn is covered with dew or with rain ...RUST NEVER SLEEPS ..!!!

Boo- I have my name listed under each post "Buddy", but "Numbers" is cooler., :thumbsup:

7394 said:

Boo- I have my name listed under each post "Buddy", but "Numbers" is cooler., :thumbsup:

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Well there, Mr. "7394" or "Buddy" or "Numbers" That was stupidity on my part for my not being observant enough
to catch your moniker at the bottom of your post, my Apologies. Once you've been in the military, the name thing
with (at least the Enlisted ) guys becomes like a game, with the unique experience as a very young man to learn
that many vulgar expletives are actually a term of "endearment" . Of course ... if an expletive is put forth in a tone of voice (or made perfectly clear in written form ) that projects a mood of anger that's another story.
That being said , Mr. %$E#@&R$# do YOU have a particular preference as to what members should use in order to
reference you ( LOL ) ...:laughing: ..:laughing: ..:laughing:

Boo- (I read others calling you by that handle)..

"Numbers" is cool. You are probably the only one that will call me by it tho.

7394 said:

Boo- (I read others calling you by that handle)..

"Numbers" is cool. You are probably the only one that will call me by it tho.

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Done Deal !!

Cool.