Enviro Milan Auger Problem

[BARTSFAM]

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

 

[BARTSFAM]

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?

 

[heat seeker]

It shouldn't turn freely if connected to the auger motor. Usually there is a set screw or two that holds the auger gearbox to the auger shaft. Loosening those set screws usually frees the motor from the auger. Yours appears to be that type. The gearbox may not come off easily - I had to use a pry bar to get mine off.

 

[BARTSFAM]

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]

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

 

[BARTSFAM]

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

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

 

[heat seeker]

WD40 is not much of a lubricant, especially in high heat. Use non-detergent 20W oil, or 3-in-1 in the blue can on motors.

 

[johneh]

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

 

[BARTSFAM]

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

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!

 

[bags]

Looks like fun! Good Luck!

 

[heat seeker]

I bet you could get things freed up and lubed, and use this one as a spare.

 

[stovelark]

Hi Bart, that motor is prob shot. 6-7 years is a good life for an auger motor. From that first pix, it looks pretty dusty and perhaps an exh blow by (the dark gray stuff on the bottom frame and the dust coating on the auger motor itself). During the annual cleaning its best to brush and vacuum all that stuff out and try to seal exh leaks as noted. The new auger motor just locks onto the shaft with the set bolt as you found out. A new auger motor should run you about 150 bucks. Good luck.