I bought a Tore Timecutter Z zero-turn mower about a year and a half ago. Right from the start the engine had a knock at idle when it was at running temperature. It was fine at full throttle and under a load. I beleive it is crankshaft or camshaft end play, or maybe something with the counterbalancer. The model is 286H77. Has anyone had similiar experiences or have information about this engine having problems. Has any bulletins been issued? I called a local Toro dealer for warranty work on the engine to see what was wrong, and when he found out I bought it from a box store, he told me to take it somewhere else. I know, I know, shame on me, but the instore special was $500 less than anywhere else. I guess I got what I deserved. Had I waited another year I could have got a Kohler in it. Any info on this particular engine would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hard to say what it may be without looking at it, and it may not be anything to worry about. I have not heard or seen any bulletins with regards to this myself. Check the dealer locator on the Toro website, master service dealers are required to provide warranty service regardless of the place of purchase.

In your area it looks like this dealer should take care of you. If not Contact customer service at the Toro Company.

NORTHSIDE HARDWARE
1415 N RICHMOND
APPLETON , WI 54911

Thanks for the the info. You are probably right, nothing to worry about, but I just don't like the way it sounds, and I figured I may as well have it looked at while it is under warranty.

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If your a Toro master service dealer, then you must also be a warranty dealer for the power products they use. Toro will take over the engine manufactures warranty on units that have the five year warranty after the initial warranty on the power plant expires. Or at least thats they way it used to be when I was selling Toro.