Quadrafire 1200 i Squeaking / Squealing before pellet feed

Hi, Going on 3rd season of our Quadrafire 1200 insert .
When I turn the stove on there is a high pitched squeak / squeal before pellets fall into the pot.
It is very obvious that something is wrong with the feeding tube (auger?) as the squeak and squeal occurs before pellets fall into the pot. Likely some junk in there or build up. My trouble is I cant figure out how to get to it to clean it. Local shop told me I can access it by opening the right side door and removing a few screws but to me it looks like the right side panels are all connected. any help would be greatly appreciated as the stove is our main source of heat. Ive searched the web for a diagram but cannot locate one and user manual is no help. Can someone explain to me how I can get to the feeding tube / auger to clean it out? Thanks Joe

First off welcome. Second, are you sure it is coming from the auger? It may be the exhaust fan that is making noise. Also, make sure the metal doors are seated right and not rubbing against the exhaust fan (had that happen before and makes a real racket). If it is the auger, you can remove the top cover inside the hopper to get a good look at it and clean what you need to clean. It is a PITA to get your hands in there but can be done. Don't drop the little screws when you take them out or the stove will eat them.

I have the same stove, and he auger assembly is under that raised cover in the hopper. Vacuuum out all the pellets, take off that cover, and there is two 7/16ths nuts that hold the auger and motor in place. Undo those, unplug the motor, and the whole thing will come out. It may be tough to pull out if there's still some pellets in there. You could have so much sawdust in there, the auger is rubbing on the sheet metal tube and causing the noise. I also lube the bushing with silicone so it wont bind. The manual calls for cleaning out the tube every ton of pellets or so.

How do you remove the cover ? It looks like it is rivoted in place.

How do you remove the top cover inside the hopper to get to the auger tube? It looks like it is rivoted in place

Check you PM

I have the same stove, same problem, could you PM the directions to remove the cover to me too?

Thanks!

Is the insert riveted? The freestanding has small Phillips screws.

Yeah the insert is riveted. However, If you pull off the feed rod thumb screw and the Phillips screw that holds the bracket in place, I'm pretty sure the entire housing slides down and the will come off. At least that's my memory of it when I took it off 5 years ago.

UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POST

Hi, it ended up being th auger motor had gone bad. Apparently it makes those type of noises when it is on its way out. Had the pellett stove repair man come out and he put a new one in. Surprisingly, EVERYTHING parts / labor / service call charge was covered under warranty.Got the stove in Jan of 2011 so I guess Ill need to see whatelse is covered under warranty. Thanks for everyones help: Joe

Glad they got it fixed for you.. Free Too (But to burn up that quick Not Good)