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

After one snow storm the chute on my 3650 is very hard to turn.

I took everything apart thinking that sand and salt must be the problem but everything is clean.  With the top shroud off the chute turns easily.  With the shroud on it becomes hard to turn.  I believe the problem is the friction of the chute turning against the rubber gasket on the top shroud.  The gasket is probably there to keep snow from entering the engine area.

I tried using a silicone stick lubricant on the gasket and this helped a little but it is still very hard to turn.

Any ideas?

Emmo, I haven't told you before, but great review on the 3650. I will right one to but need to download software so my paragraphs break first. Great machine though!, (kind of like the rice-rocket of snowblowers!) Walt

Does it make a difference if you lossen the shroud bolts/nuts a tad? Maybe the in the cold the shroud tightens up a little bit too much?

Just a guess?

Hey guys.
Just a heads up too let you know that you can download the service manuals for your machines..both body and r-tek engine manuals. If you havent already.
Manuals

There are some adjustments that can be made....but its a little difficult too describe what goes where and what does what.


This what the thing looks like. One thing too watch out for is the mounting bracket (A) isnt loose. (That is that whole bracket, that holds together the worm and gears that rotate the chute ring.) Some were shipped with the bolts not tightened. That caused the control too bind up and make noise when cranking.
You see the 4 bolts that hold down the chute ring? Those can be loosened....and the 2 at the top of the photo go into slotted holes. You can adjust there how tight that chute ring is held.
I know that those are very poor instructions....but once you take the top cover off....you will have some reference too what I am talking about. And if you have any problems you have my number.

Buttlint, A very good instructor you are! Thank you greatly for your ongoing help and patience. I greatly appreciate all of your advice and dedication to helping us. -Walt P.S.(Do we need a "driveway pass" to go blow snow during class times?!) -TOMP, I just read your review too. Great stuff. I wish that kind of info was out there when I was researching, but it seems as though the 3650 was better for me than the Commander would have been. Again, Thanks...

Walt wrote:
Thanks Walt!

Yeah I think for those of us that don't get killer snows, they're awesome!

Looking forward to your review.

I know that this doesnt relate too Toms chute problem...but I thought that as long as all of you 3650 owners and gathered in one place, I would update you on the freeze-up problem.
What Toro did too eleviate the problem in the 2005 model, was too add a heat retainer. (No. 20:1:3) That was supposed too keep it warm around the carb area. (It didnt work very well, obviously.)


On the models previous too this year...they had a rubber flap that went over choke arm. (No.34 below) and the back cover didnt have the heat shield.
That was supposed too stop the cold air and moisture from entering into the carb thru the opening in the back cover.
But when they went too new model with the heat shield.....they omitted the rubber flap on the choke arm.
So....when the last storm hit....they told us too put the rubber flap on the new models with the heat shields.
And told us too put the new covers on the old models that only had the flap.
Now that was all real nice of them....but I doubt it is going too cure many problems. (It might help the carb issue) But...it isnt going too solve the other problems. (Starter pawls and starter motor pinions from freezing.)
What really bothers me...Is another issue I ran into the other day.....The ice holding the throttle plate in the wide open position. (Kabooom!) And I know that it happens. It happened too me the other day when a piece of ice shot up from the bottom of the blower housing and wedged itself between the block and the throttle link. I shut it down right away...but some consumers may not know what too do, if they notice at all.
Toro admits that it is a possibilty...they even say so in thier update maual. I was even authorized 3 shortblocks last week...where it looks like overreving was the cause of failure.
I dont want you guys freaking over this.....but I do want too make you aware of what is going on.
As far as the issue of retrofitting new covers on older units....and old flaps on new models...Im not sure what they are going too set as policy. They havent called a recall on them yet, so I dont know if you are going too be able too walk into your dealer this summer...and have them throw one on as warrenty. The book says do it on a "as needed basis". I am not exactly sure what that means...but every one I see...is going too get the treatment. I am pretty sure that once they get the midwest damage reports from that storm, and see how many shortblocks they are shipping and start paying out the dealer warrenty claims...it will get thier attention.
Again...I still have faith in Toro products...and I wouldnt set mine out on the curb over this....just a heads up on what's going on with them.

Lint, that very kind of you to put this out here for everyone, thank you.

Lint,

Again many thanks.  I have not yet taken mine apart, but I think I will soon, just to see the realtionship of the parts and problems (carbcup location etc.)

The information you have posted is very valuable and helpful

Best regards,

Walt

Lint:

Although you did not say it directly, it sounded like you were telling me to do a gear lash adjustment.  I remember this procedure from the Snow Commander service manual.  The 3650 manual glosses over this so I didn't even think it was possible on it. 

I set the adjustment to 1/16 of an inch (as I would have on the snow commander) and also sprayed the bottom of the chute with WD40.  Smooth as silk now.

I still don't understand why this was the problem but I was sure glad you pointed me in the right direction.  If I brought it to the shop I may not have seen it for a month or more.  Thanks for your time and effort.  Maybe you will make mechanics out of us yet.

Marshall, Emmo and Walt I also appreciate you coming to my time in need. 

Yes there is good reason I frequent this site several times a day.  Everyone tries to help each other as friends would and have a good time in the process.

Tom,
I notice you have 4 snowblowers. That might need a thread of it's own, but your cr20, have you ever experienced anything like this with that one?

I have and friends, relatives, and neighbors have had CCR XXX of various years between 1996 an 2000. Not one single issue.

What in the world is going on with Toro and Ariens? Are they trying too hard to keep up with the appetite or the orange box, and letting quality or R&D slip?

Good thing they are both good companies that will stand behind their stuff.