BX2200 Muffler replacement

[LobsterClaw207]

Hi there, this is my first post on the forum. Thanks for having me!

A week or so ago I inherited a strong running BX2200 with FEL, my first Kubota and a HUGE step up from the riding lawn mower and walk behind snowblower I've been using for chores(more on blower questions at a later date).

The machine appears to be in great shape, and starts/runs very well. I sold my riding mower and immediately bought the Kubota 54" midmount mower.

The only glaring problem that needs addressing is the muffler. When I open the hood, I can move the silver muffler around a few inches with my hand in a few directions. It seems as though it broke off the exhaust manifold or whatever that part is.

Can anyone point me to: 1) the best place to buy a replacement muffler, and 2) a guide or video on how to do the replacement? I'm pretty handy and have the normal sockets and wrenches and stuff, but I don't want to get in too deep or miss something like replacing a needed gasket while I'm in there.

Thanks! I can post pictures or a short video clip of how the muffler looks if that helps.

 

[D2Cat]

Welcome to the forum. You can not post pictures until you have 5 post. Just a spam protection tool. However, you can say just about anything to make that count.

When I read your post I noticed you mentioned you had "normal sockets and wrenches and stuff". In the world of Kubota wrenching those tools need to be metric, not sure if that is normal or not!

It's hard to imaging a muffler or exhaust manifold being broken off or rusted to deterioration. Make a few comments so you can post a picture of two of your description, then you'll get folks giving you tips to get it corrected. Shouldn't be too difficult to resolve.

How noisy is the tractor? Maybe it's just a muffler guard that is not correct.

 

[LobsterClaw207]

Thanks! I do have both metric and standard sockets and such. The tractor isn't unbearably loud, but when revved up it's a little too loud for me without earmuffs (and I've got terrible hearing from being in the military). I've run small engines completely unmuffled before, and this doesn't sound THAT loud to me but I don't know what normal is supposed to be.

I'll find some more stuff to talk about until I can post a pic or I'll make a quick YouTube clip of the movement I'm seeing and post the link. Appreciate it!

 

[anthonyv]

Just a quick question, are we talking about a loose muffler in front or the air filter canister on top of the engine? The air filter has a strap that constanly breaks off due to vibrations & most of us just use a bungee cord to hold it in place. Have never had a muffler break loose, not that it can't happen.

 

[dirtydeed]

Thanks! I do have both metric and standard sockets and such. The tractor isn't unbearably loud, but when revved up it's a little too loud for me without earmuffs (and I've got terrible hearing from being in the military). I've run small engines completely unmuffled before, and this doesn't sound THAT loud to me but I don't know what normal is supposed to be.

I'll find some more stuff to talk about until I can post a pic or I'll make a quick YouTube clip of the movement I'm seeing and post the link. Appreciate it!

I had to replace mine as well (muffler) on my old BX23 (same as your BX2200) for the very same reason. It's very easy and straight forward. No need to see any videos. It was a 10 min job at best.

Regarding the air filter bracket mentioned above. Agreed. They are pure junk. Replaced mine at least 3 times. Finally gave up on the brackets and used a couple of rubber bungees (you'll have to get creative). Don't waste your time or money on the "new, improved brackets". They won't last a year due to the engine vibration.

 

[LobsterClaw207]

Thanks for the tips on the air cleaner strap, I'll look at that (or maybe you can see it in the video).

Here's a 15 second YouTube video of what it's doing. As you can see on the left side, the silver muffler (or outside of muffler) is bouncing all around. At one point in the video I grab the end (had just started the motor, it wasn't hot yet) and moved it around to demonstrate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjARgGQGvrg&feature=youtu.be

 

[dirtydeed]

Yep, its shot. You'll just need a new muffler and gasket.

Its easy to do if you remove the hood/grille. I used never seize on the bolts when I replaced it because I thought I may have to do it again,. but I never had a problem with the new muffler.

attached is the parts diagram.

 

[LobsterClaw207]

Yep, its shot. You'll just need a new muffler and gasket.

Its easy to do if you remove the hood/grille. I used never seize on the bolts when I replaced it because I thought I may have to do it again,. but I never had a problem with the new muffler.

attached is the parts diagram.

You're the best! I wondered about the gasket or if there were bolts I'd want to pick up to avoid re-using rusty ones. Any tips on best place to order parts like the muffler and such? I've seen a wide range of places, some in the $175 range and some closer to $125.

 

[Russell King]

You may want to verify if the bolts are actually there and tightened.

It may just be loose or it may be rusted out but easy enough to check.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[LobsterClaw207]

Muffler, bolts and gasket have all arrived! I'm excited to get it fixed up, I found a melted plastic hole in the grille where the hot exhaust gasses had been jetting out, where they obviously shouldn't have been. Who knows how long it'd been like that.

Is there a Youtube or PDF guide somewhere to getting hood and grille off? Is it straightforward? I gave it a casual glance before work and plan to dive in when I get home. Any tricks of the trade for it?

 

[LobsterClaw207]

Disregard that last post, the manual is my friend

 

[LobsterClaw207]

There's your problem right there ma'am.....

 

[dirtydeed]

looks familiar. The vibrations especially at idle shake the living crap out of everything, especially brackets.

Suggest you take a look at your motor mounts to see if they are worn/torn or missing.

 

[D2Cat]

Yep, all you have to do is cut out a football shaped piece of metal with a hole in it to match the outlet. Weld to the muffler rim, them weld bracket to bolt it to the exhaust manifold. Save you a pocket full of money, if you have a wire welder.

I had a similar problem on a muffler on a 16HP Onan engine on my welder. Has two inlets from the engine, comes up into each end of the muffler. Thing cost $175. It was burn out on the exhaust end. I made a big washer out of some stainless I had and wire welded it on there. Been working fine for several years now.