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This old Toro CCR 3650 snow blower hasn’t been started in five years. Cosmetically, it looks pretty good. I think it just needs a little mechanical work/maintenance. So, I’m going to do a few simple things and see if I can get it started.
This machine came to me when an old neighbor moved to a condo and no longer worries about clearing his driveway and sidewalks. I’m a little envious of that, but I like having a big yard and not having a homeowners’ association. So, it’s a tradeoff.
Anyway, the CCR 3650 is a single stage snow blower. Basically, a paddle wheel scoops and throws the snow in one motion. There is not one stage to grind the snow and a second stage to throw it. It has a 2-stroke engine, so it uses an oil and gas mixture. Makes things a little easier to work on. The Toro also has the option for an electric start instead of relying on the pull cord.
First Thing Just Look at the Machine
I learned several things just by looking at the Toro CCR 3650. As I said earlier, this thing looks like it is in pretty good shape. None of the plastics are cracked. All screws and bolts appear to be in place. The crank handle turns the chute left and right without difficulty. The lever to engage the paddles moves the way it is supposed to.
The primer bulb is missing. Could this be the only thing standing between an aching back from another winter of shoveling my driveway and the bliss of quick and easy snow removal? I’ll never know if this is the only item. Because if I am changing the primer bulb, while the machine is open, I will perform some other maintenance as well.
So, let’s get to it!
Remove Fairings
Some of this maintenance requires the removal of the main panel and the panel that covers the rear of the snow blower. I made sure the key is turned to the “Off” position and removed from the machine.
Then I located the screws holding the main panel in place and removed them.
Drain the Fuel
If there is fuel in the tank, I want to drain it before I try anything. It may be the gas that is preventing it from starting. Gas goes bad. If the machine hasn’t been started in a long time, the fuel can degrade and start to gum up the system. And pulling that starter cord with bad fuel can add to the problems.
To drain the fuel in a CCR3650, I removed the gas cap. Then, I followed the line from the fuel tank to where it enters the carburetor. Loosened the clamp that compresses the line onto the carb. I pulled the line from the carb and drained the fuel into an approved container. Make sure to clean up any spillage.
Replace the Primer Bulb
The primer bulb unit was missing the most important part. The bulb to prime the engine. Without the bulb, air leaks in and it is very difficult to get fuel flowing into the engine.
Replacing the primer bulb on the CCR 3650 is actually a very simple process. There are hoses attached to either side of the bulb housing. I removed the hoses. The first side was easy. I was able to slip the hose off. The second side was more stubborn. Fortunately, there was a bit of slack. After struggling to remove the hose, I cut it near the bulb housing.
With both hoses successfully removed from the old primer unit, it was time to pop the unit from the panel. It is held in place by a couple of teeth on the back of the housing. I then used a diagonal cutter to snip the teeth and remove the housing. Once the old primer bulb housing was removed, I pushed the new one into the panel until I felt it pop and settle into place. I Reattached the hoses and the new primer bulb is good to go.
There is also a small fuel filter that that simply requires you to remove the hoses on each side. Then connect them to the new filter.
By the way, here is the exact primer bulb I ordered from Amazon! It worked!
- ACTUAL PHOTOS.
- Replaces Part Number(s): FSL90-0071, 66-7460, 24-1027
Next Check the spark plug
Disconnect the spark plug wire by grabbing the thick part (the boot) that fits over the plug. Pull it gently back until it comes loose from the plug. You may need to try rocking it back and forth slightly to get it to loosen up.
Once the plug is removed, check the electrodes to see if there is any buildup of soot or carbon. If it looks cruddy, take a piece of course sandpaper and sand the electrodes. Make sure you get in between both electrodes with the paper and if you need to, flip the paper to sand both sides. This helps clear up any of the crud that may have built up.
One trick some people try is to reattach the plug wire before reinstalling the plug. The plug is then placed in a position where the electrodes can be seen and is nearly touching a metal surface on the machine. Make sure they are not near any material that may ignite from a spark. While looking at the electrodes, turn the key to the run position and give the starter cord a couple of pulls.
If the plug is good and you look closely while giving the starter cord a few pulls, you may spot the spark between the newly cleaned electrodes and the metal surface of the snow blower. Again, if you try this, make sure there is nothing that can be ignited by the spark from the plug.
Reinstall the Spark Plug
If you spot the spark, the wires and plug are probably good and you can reinstall the plug. First, remove the plug from the wire again. Check the gap between the electrodes. Set it to 0.032 inches.
Once the gap is properly set, reinsert the plug into the engine and tighten it by hand until it is snug. After that, tighten the plug to 15 lb.-ft. Reseat the wire onto the plug and that step is complete.
If you need a new spark plug, get it here!
- 98% pure copper core increases heat dissipation for more reliable starts and prevents spark plug from overheating
- High-grade alumina silicate ceramic insulator for superior strength and heat transfer
- Cold-rolled threads to prevent cross-threading and damage to cylinder heads
- Trivalent plating eliminates need for anti-seize and corrugated ribs prevent flashover
- Quantity: 1 per package
Clean the Carburetor
I took some standard carb cleaner spray and really doused the intake of the carb. I used the little straw attachment to really get the cleaner into the carb.
Some people will change out the old carburetor for a new one. My goal was to spend as little as possible in trying to get this thing started. Once it is running, I may pony up for new parts. If you are going for the new carburetor option or the old one is just too gummed up, you can find one at Amazon by clicking here.
- Compatible With: Toro CCR 2450 3650 GTS Snowthrower 2007-2011
- Compatible With: Briggs And Stratton Snow Blower 801396; 801233; 801255
- Packege Include: 1x Carburator , 3x Gaskets
- Meets OEM specifications for a reliable and compatible fit.
The Test!
Now that I’ve replaced the primer bulb and completed a few other items to get the CCR 3650 into a little bit better shape, it is time to try and start it. I put the control panel cover back in place but did not screw it in.
I added fuel in a 50:1 gas to oil mixture and hit the primer bulb a few times. Turned the key to the “On” position and added some choke. Time to pull the starter cord.
It resisted, but after many pulls, it eventually roared to life. And put out tons of smoke. My initial fuel mixture was one of those premixed cans. Don’t know if that made a difference with the extra smoke, but next I decided to use my own mixture. That way I know the gas just came from a pump and was not sitting on a shelf for an extended period of time.
The smoke soon lessened, and the machine kept running. I pulled the handle to engage the paddles and they immediately began to spin. Feels good.
Final Verdict
Everything is running so I put the fairings back into place. A few screws and my new to me Toro CCR 3650 was looking great.
Once I put the fuel I mixed myself into the machine, the smoke issue went away rather quickly. I wonder if it was the off the shelf premix or old fuel and carb cleaner being burned out of the engine. Either way, it now starts on the first pull and puts out about as much smoke as I expected from a two-cycle engine.
One of the most difficult parts of the entire process was disconnecting the hoses from the primer bulb and the fuel filter. I was forced to cut the hoses in two instances. Fortunately, there was enough slack in the hoses that I could do this without any difficulty.
It has handled the snow without a lot of difficulty. However, as a single stage machine, it does not like packed down snow. If someone walks down my snow-covered sidewalk, those footprints cause it some difficulty. I just need to make sure I get out and hit the snow quickly. Even with a little difficulty, I spend a lot less time outside clearing my driveway and walkways. It used to take over an hour to shovel. Now it is between 15 and 20 minutes.
I have nothing but gratitude for my old neighbor and I really like this Toro snow blower. My back does too.
