Abstract: A heat deflection system is provided for a lawn tractor which has an engine mounted on a chassis and enclosed within an engine enclosure. The engine enclosure has a top, sides and a front grille. The engine also includes a carburetor, an exhaust header and a muffler. The heat deflection system includes a heat shield having at least a portion thereof disposed between the exhaust header and carburetor, a partition having openings therein, wherein the openings extend above the muffler, such that the heated air from the muffler rises and passes through the openings, and the heat deflector extending above the partition for directing soak heat from the muffler away from the carburetor.