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?

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.

robmints:

My first snow thrower was a Toro 521.  That little blower was my favorite.  Did little in terms of maintenance but it always got the job done.

Once we had the driveway restoned the Toro kept bending the shaft when stones were pinned between the auger and housing.  It probably did not have shear pins.  The hardware store said my choices were to pave the driveway or buy a single stage with rubber paddles.  That is when the CR20 was purchased.  I keep the CR20 because it has saved my rear many times.  Although designed for some 6-8 inches of snow I have pushed it through 18 inches. Keep in mind the CR20 went for $429 in 1987.  Today that would be well over $1000.  Compare that with the 3650 which came in at $570. 

My Snow Commander appears to be very well built.  The 3650 has had a bunch of problems.  The first one I bought, put int the back of the SUV and two miles down the road all I could smell was gas.  The carb was leaking very bad and I needed to return it.  Number two came home.  The garage smelled of gas.  The carb was not leaking badly but seeping.  Back to the shop.  New gasket didn't do it so they replaced the carb under the warranty.

Now I am faced with the reluctant chute.  Lint saved me here.

I can't say I see huge changes from the design of the CR20 vs. todays models.  Much stronger engines but that is about it.  Definitely hear alot more problems though.  As long as the consumer wants a cheaper throw away model quality doesn't need to be a high requirement.

robmints wrote:

How in the world did you understand that sentence?

Thanks lint for all of this great info!

So far I have had nothing but good luck with my 3650, but its' great to know I've got a bud in the know if I have a prob!

Thanks for being willing to share!

Hey Tom, guess whats wrong with my machine??!

Yep, stiff as a board.  Your sand description fits to a T.

It cranks, gets stiff, breaks free, gets stiff again, like there is sand or dirt in the collar.

I last used it about 10 days ago and it was smooth then.  Guess I'll have to open her up and see what gives.

Thanks lint for laying out the ground work, this will be much easier now.

Emmo:

I don't understand why the drag didn't appear for a few days in both of our cases but it sounds like the same issue.  Dr. Lints diagnosis was right on and seemed to solve the problem.

Hope your 3650 makes a speedy recovery.