Enviro Milan Auger Problem

Well...I have dreaded this day. I have replaced almost everything in my Milan, but today the auger went. I am dreading doing this job because I am not sure where to start. My friend changed his auger motor and he said that it was a nightmare, and he's mechanically inclined, which I am not!
All of a sudden, after 7 seasons, the auger stopped working this morning. The indicator light comes on, on the motherboard, showing that the auger is being activated, but no pellets comes out. I thought I heard the auger turning with nothing coming out...but now I do not hear the whir of the auger any more.
Where do I begin. I took a photo of where I think that I should begin. There are four screws attaching this piece to the stove. Do I detach this from the stove, and go from there? Do I empty out the hopper and attack it from there? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

I emptied out the hopper and dug down to the auger. All looks clear...but it still will not work.
I ran a bypass directly to the auger motor, and it does make noise, it just won't turn the auger.
Does anyone know if the auger should still turn freely by hand, even though it is still hooked to the motor?

Thanks. I got it apart, and got it to turn freely. Is it good to WD40 an auger?

And one more question....when I took the motor out, and hooked it up with a gerry rigged extension cord for power, the motor makes a sound, but should the shaft turn? Or, does it only turn when the power goes through the motherboard?

johneh said:

If you put power to it
It should run continually
as long as power is supplied

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Well...my motor must be gone. The motor makes noise..but the shaft is tight and NOT moving at all.

johneh said:

If you are handy take the transmission cover off and check to see if it is dry (should have grease)
Clean it all up put some lite grease in it and try motor again . I have only seen one stuck there but lots with
dried out lubricant

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I took it apart, and found blobs of grease everywhere, as well as black gunk. It almost looks burned. The gears on the right are frozen solid! I ordered a new auger motor, and will be here on Monday!