Enviro EF-3 Auger Motor Gone (I think).

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ShaneR34

Member
Sep 19, 2008
136
New Brunswick, Canada
So, I woke up this morning and the fire was out.

When I turned it back on, I could hear a clicking sound. The auger would turn a little, stick, make a "grinding" type noise, turn a little....and repeat.

I emptied the hopper and checked for debris. No problems.

Checked the vacuum tube and the exhaust fan. No problems.

Took the back off and had a look at the motor. The clicking sound is coming from a cylindrical shaped piece of plastic that "jumps" up when it spins. Almost like it's trying to latch onto something but slips. The auger, bushings etc seem ok and to move freely.

So, based on that, does it sound like a new motor is in order?

I'll be calling someone in to have a look as I don't have the proper knowledge (or tools) to tinker around with it more than what I have. But, I thought I'd ask here for opinions.

Thanks :)
 
The clicking sound is coming from a cylindrical shaped piece of plastic that “jumps†up when it spins.
Click to expand...

Could you snap a picture of it so we can get a better idea of what it is?
 
IIRC that circled piece snaps and moves around a bit on the shaft under normal operation.
I could be wrong....been a while since I looked at mine when it was energized.

In the below manual Page 29. Troubleshooting step 6 covers the auger operation

http://www.enviro.com/images/manuals-brochures/owners-manuals/C-12136 Instruction EF3 Domestic Owner's Manual - Aug 17 2010.pdf

The thing to check is if the motor, gearbox or auger is the problem.

It is not that hard to remove each piece and find out.

You could probably save yourself several hundred $$$.

None of the pieces are all that much to replace.

IIRC the motor and gearbox are held onto the auger shaft with a large square end set screw.
Undo that then slide the motor and gearbox down and remove (you may have to fiddle with it a bit to get it past the steel plates.

From there it is easy to pull the auger bushings and shaft.

Your manual shows it in exploded view on page 35

There are 2 brass bushings (upper and lower) on the auger. Part #'s 52 (upper) and 34 (lower)

The motor and gearbox can be tested off the stove by plugging them directly into a 115V supply (with a test cord)

Good Luck,
---Nailer---
 
Thanks, Guys.

My Father-in-law is coming over tomorrow and he'll have a look at the motor (A jack of all trades and master of them all). I don't have the proper tools to disconnect the stove piping and move it away from the corner to get access.

But, I have a feeling a new motor is order.

I found an after-market one for $113 on a website mentioned here a few times. So, that's not too bad.
 
obvious things to look for:

Is the cellophane tape on the auger motor coil orangish? if so, motor is most likely bad.

Is the the brass auger bushing in the auger plate bad? Usually if there is a pile of pellet dust directly under the motor the bushing is bad. This will usually manifest by spinning along with the auger then stopping suddenly and binding up the motor. if this is the case, replace the plate with bushing and your motor.

About the washers on the stator pin, remove the motor and then remove the stator cap from the c-frame. clean up those nylon washers with some WD40 and put them back in, Remember that the little itty bitty tiny metal washers go on the ends of the nylon spacers away from the stator and against the friction sides

good luck
 
Welp, my father-in-law took the motor home with him and had a look. Apparently one of the gears ceased inside the motor. He was able to repair/rebuild it (He was an industrial machinist most of his career) and it seems to be working fine now.

We'll put it back on tomorrow and see how it goes.

Thanks for the help, guys.
 
Shane,

I hope that was your problem. It sounds like a cheap fix. ;-)

While you have the motor and gearbox out. Record all the printed info on it you can. Take pictures.

Then I would go ahead and order a spare from the retailer of your choice.
That way when it blows out on you in the middle of a blizzard on a Friday night you will be able to swap in the spare and keep the heat on.

Pellet stoves are really easy to work on if you have some basic knowledge and a great support network like you find in here :)

Happy Heating,
---Nailer---
 
I'll probably hold off on getting a spare (a good idea) for now only because I'm trying not too spend much these days.

And you are right, the stoves are easy to work with...I've done most of the maintenance myself the last couple of season. This time though, I didn't have the proper tools to get the damn thing off....well, without a chorus of choice expletives. ;)

Thanks.
 
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