Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi guys, first time poster.

I just recently purchased a new Ariens Professional 32 snowblower. It has the 420cc Briggs 2100 Professional Series engine (25M137-0110-F1) on it. It seems to run and start great. I only have one concern, it seems a bit loud at idle.... especially when the motor is cold and not warmed up. I attached a YouTube video, could you guys take a listen and tell me what you think. It sounds like it has some piston slap....which may be completely normal, but wanted to get some opinions. If you compare what it sounds like in the beginning of the video to at the end, it sounds like it may get a bit quieter when it warms up. Take a listen and let me know what ya think.

VIDEO LINK:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXITx9l_0lE&feature=player_embedded
ENGINE LINK: http://goo.gl/CnsOm

   Tough to say but I've never heard any OHV sound like that.   I've had an 11hp OHV winter Intek by Briggs and was smooth and sounded great..like a powerful Honda.  I can understand your concern though.  If it were mine I'd go to the dealer and see what they say.  I'd ask them to fire up a similar engine.  WIthout some clearup I'd be nervous and thinking about backing out.   

    At higher RPM it seems to be much better but that happens with some machines that do have problems.  They don't seem as bad at higher rev's.

   There could be some resonances in the covers or echo or something inside the muffler.  You could try pressing all the covers to see if that dampens the sound.  ? could a wrong plug cause pinging?

ADD:
   I once had a noise I was convinced was from the auger gearbox.  I was so convinced after a few days of listening I parted the bucket and opened the gearbox which was fine.  The noise turned out to be from a loose arm inside the drive section which seemed impossible but happened. 

Thanks guys.  I contacted the local dealer and he says it's normal.  I also found a YouTube video of an identical motor on a Ariens Pro 28 and it made the same noise.  Valve lash specs for this motor are 0.005"-0.007" for intake and exhaust.  Both are currently adjusted to 0.005".  See link below:


http://youtu.be/JndnPWr3LV0?t=19s