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Ariens/LCT dipstick tube O-rings, leaking oil.

39K views 125 replies 39 participants last post by  350 Mag  
#1 ·
I just spent 3000 dollars on an Ariens Hydro Pro 28 with EFI it leaks oil like a dang faucet I brought to my local dealer and am told it will be 4-8 weeks until I know anything. Ariens and the dealer I bought it from will do nothin to rplace this new machine beside fixing it under "Warranty" it is December 12th and I won't have a working machine until February!? I don't think so!!! Simply unacceptable..... Buyer Beware!!!! If customer support can do anything contact me ASAP not happy 207-415-8381
 
#2 ·
$3,000 for a machine that $1,000 probably could have done the trick. So, that is $2,000 worth of beer and chips that will never come to fruition. :sad2:

Sorry to hear about the oil fountain . . . any idea of where it is coming from? Missing cap or plug? Easy fix maybe?
 
#3 · (Edited)
First off you paid way over than what there selling for. I never heard of such a thing.

You bought this from a dealer or a big box store? One to two months before you know whats wrong? LOL ... that is unbelievable ....
 
#5 ·
It is 2800 +tax And that's anywhere you buy this model from. The oil is coming from the engine case/valve cover. The reason it is going to take so long is because every dealer is back logged repairing old machines not brand spankin new ones it's rediculous! Under these circumstances Ariens needs to do the right thing and replace it asap.
 
#7 ·
A few things to clear up:

1. $2,700 is the current price for an Ariens pro 28 hydro EFI. With tax, thats about $3,000.

2. Let's not have any judgment calls on what people choose to spend..Nothing wrong with buying a 3K snowblower if you want it and can afford it.

3. Oil leak is all about the engine, the exact model of snowblower is irrelevant. So it really has nothing to with the Ariens pro 28 hydro EFI, specifically, it could happen with any model.

4. 4 to 8 weeks seems about right for this time of year. They probably are literally unable to go faster, because they are swamped. I agree, it shouldnt take that long! But its December, thousands of people fired up their snowblowers for the first time this year over the past few weeks..hundreds then brought them into the shop, because they didnt adequately test them ahead of time..it is what it is.

Can you try other dealers?

Scot
 
#10 · (Edited)
*Price is 2799
Every dealer in the state of Maine is 4 weeks+ I called them all today. It is at my local shop right now. I completely understand why they are all busy however my snow blower shouldn't be there period. I know stuff happens but the fact it happened on a brand new snow blower this time of year should get special attention from the manufacturer in my opinion.
 
#11 ·
Was it bought at the local and authorized repair dealer, if it was then that is way too much time to wait. Dealers do not make lots of money on warranty work and one has to accept that their own purchasing customers and customer pay work get first crack. It is what it is.
 
#14 ·
Sorry to hear that. Extremely frustrating.

+1 on pics and a good description. Towel it down good. Get a flashlight. Top up the oil. Start it and take a few cell phone pics of that leak. Let the folks here have a look. Something might just have been overlooked / not been dogged down tight from the factory. Hopefully it’s an easy fix for you.
 
#16 ·
Sounds like the engine got made less the valve cover gasket . . . or the valve cover was not tightened properly. Those would be easy fixes. Beyond that, not so easy.

Anyway, the dealer should prioritize warranty work over repair work. Not to say how far back in line you might be with other customer's warranty work ahead of you.
 
#17 · (Edited)
I ordered it from snowblowersdirect.com I received it in october. There was a small puddle of oil in the bottom of the box I didn't notice until unpacking it. I Inspected it found no signs of damage I assembled it not noticing any signs of oil. The next day there was oil on my garage floor. I found a little bit of oil in the belly of the blower upon further inspection and at the base of the engine. I wiped it all down dry and kept my eye on it and saw no more oil. I used it on the 1st snow a couple days ago and oil was all around the base of the engine and in the belly again. It is coming out of the valve cover from what I can see. I called snow blowers direct and Ariens and they said I would have had to return it within 30 days and not have had any gas in it. Iam literally stuck with it and waiting for the dealer to repair it. Even if I had bought it there it would be a warranty issue and id have to wait. Ariens should just take it back and replace it regardless of anyone's opinions it is new and defective period.
 
#19 ·
OK, the puzzle pieces are coming together. Your 4-8 weeks at the local dealer is because you did not buy the machine from them.

I can see why you would not want to ship it back to the online retailer.

Do you still have the machine? or is it at the dealer? A few pictures and/or a video of the oil leaking would be helpful.
 
#20 ·
I ordered it from snowblowersdirect.com I received it in october. There was a small puddle of oil in the bottom of the box I didn't notice until unpacking it. I Inspected it found no signs of damage I assembled it not noticing any signs of oil. The next day there was oil on my garage floor. I found a little bit of oil in the belly of the blower upon further inspection and at the base of the engine. I wiped it all down dry and kept my eye on it and saw no more oil. I used it on the 1st snow a couple days ago and oil was all around the base of the engine and in the belly again. It is coming out of the valve cover from what I can see. I called snow blowers direct and Ariens and they said I would have had to return it within 30 days and not have had any gas in it. Iam literally stuck with it and waiting for the dealer to repair it. Even if I had bought it there it would be a warranty issue and id have to wait. Ariens should just take it back and replace it regardless of anyone's opinions it is new and defective period.
 
#22 ·
@Michael Smith please consider sending a USPS Registered Letter, with Return Receipt to:

Dan Ariens, CEO
Ariens Company
655 W. Ryan Street
Brillion, WI 54110

Explain the situation, i.e. the machine's model and s/n, when bought and who from (not just the shop name, but the individuals names), when the problem appeared, and a description of the problem. Include photos, if possible.

Don't waste your time with Customer Service, emails or phone calls to the company.

Provide your phone numbers and physical address and email.

Be prepared to send a second letter if you don't get a response within a couple days after they receive the first one.

Be objective, truthful, and specific. Be courteous and avoid emotionally charged, or threatening statements. No more than 3 sentences per paragraph, and as few paragraphs as possible.

Conclude by describing the actions you expect Ariens Company to take.

If it were me, I'd expect the dealer to replace the machine with a new one, immediately.

This statement is next to his photo on the Ariens web site:

" . . . putting our name on a machine is a very meaningful moment. It means we believe in that machine, we stand behind it, and we’ve put everything we’ve got into it."

So ask him for some help. It just might work.
 
#24 ·
Sorry to hear this. I agree with Jburson250, a good suggestion. I would first call them again first thing tomorrow morning as they may take a couple of hours to get back to you with a decision/resolution. Contact their customer support dept. they will likely transfer you to a manager in tech support these are knowledgeable people, who understand how the machine works and how the dealer system works. We all know exceptions can always be made. No policy is set in stone, regarding the 30 days....I would let them know in a level headed professional manner this is unacceptable on a new machine and this has to be resolved ASAP. I am stuck with a 340 lb. paperweight (perhaps an authorized dealer loaner machine if they won't replace it with a new one while waiting for the repair would work). ...Advise them if there is no satisfactory resolution tomorrow, you will have to write the certified/registered letter to Dan Ariens, they don't want you to do this because it will come back to them customer/tech support. If the unit was put on a credit card you can also dispute the charge given the circumstances (you were sold a defective unit). I have gone down this road before with successful outcomes, it's a last resort but you paid top dollar for a high end machine not a paperweight. Best of luck and keep us posted.
 
#26 ·
Where is the blower now?

If it were me I'd be disappointed, but I think I'd give it a good once-over before *I* blew a gasket.

MAYBE there's just a loose bolt or two, perhaps the valve cover, or the drain plug, or somewhere. Maybe a gasket was forgotten... maybe maybe. It can't hurt to have a light rummage around.

What you need is use of the machine, and also the easiest and quickest path there. What you don't need is more headaches... only you can decide which is the best path, for you.

Just my two cents, good luck... and stay Cool, Brother. :eek:ccasion14:

Edit: OK I see reading back that it's at your local shop.

Maybe go and see if you can drag it home to see, while keeping your 'place in line'. They'd probably be relieved, and you might be too.
 
#28 ·
Charge Them Back1



If you paid by credit card and bought it in the last 60 to 90 days, call the retailer first. If they tell you to scratch, call your credit card company. CALMLY and nicely explain the situation and ask them to charge back the retailer. You will be amazed how quickly they will react and try to fix the problem. If they don't satisfy you within reason, the charge back will stand and you won't have to pay for it.

Where did you buy it, and when?
 
#29 ·
Charge Them Back1



Call your credit card company. CALMLY and nicely explain the situation and ask them to charge back the retailer. You will be amazed how quickly they will react and try to fix the problem. If they don't satisfy you within reason, the charge back will stand and you won't have to pay for it.