Englander 25-PDVC top auger binding reveals auger chute flaws - surgery needed here!

[Don2222]

Hello

Well the 3 hour operation was finally successfull! During auger re-assembly the top auger free hand spin check revealed a snag on every 360 deg turn!

So I had to remove it and the pic below shows one problem on the inside bottom of the top auger chute close to the back of the stove.
There were also 3 more pimple type burrs way back inside the top auger chute on the right side!

All pimples and burrs had to be vigorously ground down with the grinding stone.

Then Dry Moly Spray was used to make the pellets really slide!

Pic 1 - Shows before grinding - see yellow arrows of welding slag mutation!
Pic 2 - Shows after grinding

 

[heat seeker]

Were they welding slag? Kinda looks like it from the photo.

 

[Don2222]

Were they welding slag? Kinda looks like it from the photo.

Yes, and took alot to grind down!

 

[Lake Girl]

Yes, and took alot to grind down!

Do they inspect for slag in critical parts at the factory?

How old is the stove? Wonder how many augers that machine would have gone through? Or does it wear down the auger and you have a change in actual feed?

 

[Don2222]

Do they inspect for slag in critical parts at the factory?

This was made in 2008, maybe it was on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend? These things do happen in a large manufacturing environment.

 

[Lake Girl]

This was made in 2008, maybe it was on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend? These things do happen in a large manufacturing environment.

I understand these things happen but would be curious if it was on a quality control checklist? Curious as to what havoc that would create with the auger? Why did the pellet stove show up at your door? Repair or purchase for rehab/resale?

 

[Don2222]

I understand these things happen but would be curious if it was on a quality control checklist? Curious as to what havoc that would create with the auger? Why did the pellet stove show up at your door? Repair or purchase for rehab/resale?

It was a stove I repaired where the top auger was completely jammed. The pellets in it were good pellets and very little fines. The stove was in a very dry basement. When I turned the auger by hand with NO pellets and NO motor connected it did NOT turn freely. This stove was inherited in this state so the original owner could not be questioned about the history. It was just abandoned when the house was sold. Looks to me that it probably never worked that well in that state. Maybe the fact that there were also approx 200 bags of very good pellets left with the stove means the original owner was not very satisfied!

Another mystery is that after I fixed it good, the fire was too low. I found that the 1st of the 3 bottom buttons was set to 1 ! ! !
This is the LFF Low Fuel Feed. Therefore I believe it was turned way down in a futal attempt to keep the auger from binding. Probably jammed up easily on the higher heat settings.

 

[Lake Girl]

It was a stove I repaired where the top auger was completely jammed. The pellets in it were good pellets and very little fines. The stove was in a very dry basement. When I turned the auger with NO pellets and NO motor connected it did NOT turn freely. This stove was inherited in this state so the original owner could not be questioned about the history. It was just abandoned when the house was sold. Looks to me that it probably never worked that well in that state. Maybe the fact that there were also approx 200 bags of very good pellets left with the stove means the original owner was not very satisfied!

You'd likely be right... but the new owner found you for the fix

 

[MCPO]

Great detective work and problem solving Don ! It surely behooves an owner to learn all he can about his particular stove and what better place than right here? Even those who might lack a lot of mechanical knowledge and skills can benefit a great deal just reading the information in these forums. Much of the same info is also relevent to other brands and models.

 

[Don2222]

Great detective work and problem solving Don ! It surely behooves an owner to learn all he can about his particular stove and what better place than right here? Even those who might lack a lot of mechanical knowledge and skills can benefit a great deal just reading the information in these forums. Much of the same info is also relevent to other brands and models.

Yes, I have found slag pimples on other brand stove augers and they do work much better if removed!