Quadrafire Santa Fe first startup of season failing

I've looked at this thread: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/quadra-fire-just-flat-out-quit.167959/#post-2262348. I may need a new auger motor. For several years that motor has been weak on first run, requiring some prodding of the auger to get it going. This time it's not even trying to start. This is the older model Santa Fe free standing, bought in 2009 at about the end of its run. At present the heating element comes on, but no auger or fans. Can't remember if the fans should activate ahead of the auger on a cold start or not. The red light is constant. Can't recall if that's proper for this stage either. Have to dig out the old manual -- Quadrafire's site seems to only have the manual for the current model.

Would the next logical step be to pull the auger motor out and test it?

Nice to see this site's still here. Y'all have been a real help in the past. Thanks in advance for all advice.

You're right. Thanks. I just went to start it again to see which red light it is coming on. This time the combustion blower started, then the auger. Last night in a number of tries there was nothing from the combustion blower at all. This is the proverbial car that won't act up for when taken to the mechanic.

Does this mean that the combustion blower is likely near end-of-life? Is it time I should order up a spare?

kappel15 said:

I've had comb. motors not start up cause they were getting old and stuck(dirty). I would reach back there and spin it by hand, and it would take off. kap

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It's been running now for a week without further issue except sometimes a little noise. So that first night it may well have been stuck, either because dirty, or lubricant (if any) getting old, or just wearing out -- or all three. The noise suggests wear. It looks like if I go to replace it there are some third-party parts available. Are some of them notably better or worse?