Avalon Astoria LOUD auger

Burn1 · Nov 27, 2009

My Avalon Astoria's auger is groaning and creaking every time it feeds pellets. It is very loud, as a result, my 3 boys have the TV cranked up way louder than normal. :ahhh:

Is it likely just a build up of fines? Is this why I should build a contraption like some of you guys to sift my pellets?

How big of a job is it to remove the auger and clean everything out and lube it up? Can't do it right now, watching the 3 boys.

Is it highly unlikely that something has actually failed or worn out in 1 years time?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. At the end of last winter's burning season, the auger had developed a noise, but not like this. It was higher pitched. Somehow over the summer, sitting idly, the noise disappeared.

In searching I found a post about mixing graphite in with the pellets to lube the auger. I'll be trying that if I can find the graphite.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

hearthtools · Nov 27, 2009

Burn1 said:
My Avalon Astoria's auger is groaning and creaking every time it feeds pellets. It is very loud, as a result, my 3 boys have the TV cranked up way louder than normal. :ahhh:

Is it likely just a build up of fines? Is this why I should build a contraption like some of you guys to sift my pellets?

How big of a job is it to remove the auger and clean everything out and lube it up? Can't do it right now, watching the 3 boys.

Is it highly unlikely that something has actually failed or worn out in 1 years time?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. At the end of last winter's burning season, the auger had developed a noise, but not like this. It was higher pitched. Somehow over the summer, sitting idly, the noise disappeared.

In searching I found a post about mixing graphite in with the pellets to lube the auger. I'll be trying that if I can find the graphite.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

The best way to find out is to let the pellets burn out and then suck out the sawdust out of the hopper.
this is a good idea to do this once a month or so.

imacman · Nov 27, 2009

Burn1 said:
.....Is it likely just a build up of fines? Is this why I should build a contraption like some of you guys to sift my pellets?
How big of a job is it to remove the auger and clean everything out and lube it up? Can't do it right now, watching the 3 boys.

I had the same stove last year, and it was a '05 model. Never had any noises from the auger, but then again, I DID make a pellet cleaner, so I had very little fines in the hopper.

Try what Rod mentioned above...let it burn all the pellets out, and vacuum the hopper/auger. If that doesn't work, then try the Graphite. Last resort would be removing the auger.....not a huge job, but not a 5 minute one either.

Burn1 · Nov 28, 2009

Thanks guys!

I couldn't deal with the noise long enough to wait for the whole hopper to empty out, I ended up scooping about a half bag of pellets out with a dog food scoop, then ran it out all the way, then vacuumed it out.

I found a small tube of Graphite Powder at the local hardware store.

I put a couple handfuls of pellets in a sandwich baggie then put a few squirts of graphite in with the pellets and mixed it all up real good.

I don't know which fixed the problem, but the noise has disappeared!

Thanks again!

Wood Heat Stoves · Nov 29, 2009

the travis auger motor is good quality, but can fail.
l if its bearings are noisy upon bench test, then replace

Jafo · Dec 26, 2011

I am having this same issue, tried vacuuming out the hopper, tried a little graphite, no luck.. Any ideas?

Wood Nugget · Dec 27, 2011

On my 3 yr old lopi Leyden I had a loud squeak noise every time the auger turned. I tried many things and nothing worked. I had to replace the lower auger end plate bushing.

Jafo · Dec 28, 2011

Tonight I took the auger out the back of the unit.. I disconnected the motor and could barely turn the auger by hand.. I banged the shaft down a bit from the bushing and added some graphite directly to it and then banged it back and kept working the auger until it would turn freely.. I made the mistake of hitting the shaft directly with the hammer, which curled the edge a little making it impossible to fit the motor on again. Once I filed those burrs off, it all went together perfect. So far running with no noise at all. Seems to me that bushing should be periodically lubricated with something.. Surely there is an easier way than removing the entire auger assembly?

Wood Nugget · Dec 28, 2011

Jafo, that is almost my exact situation including the banging and filing. I didn't think to try to use graphite once it was all appart. I just replaced the bushing on advice from a member here. (my dealer supplied it free under warranty). If it happens again I will try the graphite. Thanks.

imacman · Dec 28, 2011

As much of a pain it might be, it's a good idea to periodically remove the auger from the flight and check inside. That way you can check everything out, and lube things as needed.

BTW, there are some pellets (NEWP's come to mind) that seem to make the auger screech occasionally.

Don2222 · Dec 28, 2011

imacman said:
As much of a pain it might be, it's a good idea to periodically remove the auger from the flight and check inside. That way you can check everything out, and lube things as needed.

BTW, there are some pellets (NEWP's come to mind) that seem to make the auger screech occasionally.

Especially on the bottom auger in the Englander 25-PDVC stove before it stops working!!

zrtmatos · Jan 16, 2013

Has anyone posted instructions on this recommended auger service? Maybe a tutorial with pictures?

John C. · Jan 16, 2013

Burn1 how do like the stove besides the auger noise that you fixed. Good to hear. Got mine on Dec. 21 st and the convection blower has been makin noise since then talked to the dealer and there going to order me another one. I HOPE.

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