Enviro Mini auger noise

[NowhereMan]

My Enviro Mini is an August 2008 model, which I believe was just prior to the arrival of the "Mini A". I've upgraded the burn pot to Mini A size, so it's essentially a Mini A at this point. In any case, the auger has gotten noticeably noisier recently. It's not screeching or clunking, but instead it's just that the usual auger noise has become much more pronounced. This weekend, I'm going to disassemble it to remove the auger motor and auger. From a few YouTube videos (none specific to the Mini, however), I have a pretty good idea of what I'll see. In any case, I'll post some pictures here, so others can learn from my successes and/or mistakes--hopefully, more of the former than the latter.

I'm wondering if anybody has any experience and/or advice to share. In particular, any suggestions of things that might make it run quieter would be appreciated. At a minimum, I'm assuming that a gasket and bushing will need replacing...

 

[Whitenuckler]

My Enviro Mini is an August 2008 model, which I believe was just prior to the arrival of the "Mini A". I've upgraded the burn pot to Mini A size, so it's essentially a Mini A at this point. In any case, the auger has gotten noticeably noisier recently. It's not screeching or clunking, but instead it's just that the usual auger noise has become much more pronounced. This weekend, I'm going to disassemble it to remove the auger motor and auger. From a few YouTube videos (none specific to the Mini, however), I have a pretty good idea of what I'll see. In any case, I'll post some pictures here, so others can learn from my successes and/or mistakes--hopefully, more of the former than the latter.

I'm wondering if anybody has any experience and/or advice to share. In particular, any suggestions of things that might make it run quieter would be appreciated. At a minimum, I'm assuming that a gasket and bushing will need replacing...

If you let the stove run out of pellets, and run the auger, how does it sound? Johneh here is the Enviro expert.

 

[NowhereMan]

Here is a short video. It actually seems much quieter without pellets...

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[johneh]

Auger noise in an Enviro is normally 1 of or both of 2 things
You say it is louder than usual. First, remove the Auger motor
remove the top cover, exposing the gears. I think you will find
the grease has become hard. Scrape out as much as possible
and repack with good quality heavy grease (Such as wheel bearing grease)
Another cause is worn-out auger bushings or possibly just dry.
You can put a Little (very little ) lithium grease on the auger shaft
where the bushing rides. Rotate the shaft by hand before reinstalling
the auger motor. Needless to say, make sure the hopper is empty of pellets before
doing the above work
Manual if you do not have one

https://enviro.com/custom_content/docs/manuals/C-14941%20Instruction%20Mini%20A%20Owners%20Manual.pdf

Video

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After watching your video, are the 2 stoppers for the auger motor in place, or maybe worn out
Rubber stoppers look like a rubber hose. The noise I hear sounds like they are gone or worn

 

[NowhereMan]

OK, I think this is actually the source of the noise. Any way to dampen this better?

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[NowhereMan]

After watching your video, are the 2 stoppers for the auger motor in place, or maybe worn out
Rubber stoppers look like a rubber hose. The noise I hear sounds like they are gone or worn

I posted my 2nd short video before reading this, but, yes, I think this is it!

 

[johneh]

From the second vid, it looks like and sounds like the stopper is missing !
I use a 1 inch to 1 -1/2 inch auto heater hose, but a rubber garden hose works just as well

 

[NowhereMan]

From the second vid, it looks like and sounds like the stopper is missing !
I use a 1 inch to 1 -1/2 inch auto heater hose, but a rubber garden hose works just as well

They are (were) both there. I've removed them and will try to find something that offers more damping, and perhaps wider too, so as to have less back-and-forth movement. I'm going to the local wood stove specialty shop today to look for a couple of things (they also sell a few pellet stoves) and will see if they have any suggestions.

Unfortunately, with my limited tools, I don't think I'll be able to actually remove the auger. So, I'll just try messing with these bumpers and see if that increases the quietude...

 

[EHuffman]

Sounds like you got it figured out, but on our M55, the auger gets increasingly noisy as it gets low on fuel (corn, in my case). Good luck with it!!

 

[NowhereMan]

Sounds like you got it figured out, but on our M55, the auger gets increasingly noisy as it gets low on fuel (corn, in my case). Good luck with it!!

Yes, our Mini does that too. Anyways, I have put an additional layer of silicone tubing underneath that hard plastic bumper, and if that doesn't help, I've got a few other ideas. I'll post an update when I get it figured out...

 

[NowhereMan]

Still too noisy. Replacement auger motors are pretty cheap (about $50 to $100), so that might be the next attempt...

 

[johneh]

On the auger stops, you need a RUBBER hose to cushion the motor as it is forced against the stop
(NORMAL movement )

 

[NowhereMan]

On the auger stops, you need a RUBBER hose to cushion the motor as it is forced against the stop
(NORMAL movement )

So, a regular rubber garden hose will hold up to the heat? In any case, it seems odd to me that the auger motor is allowed to freely swing back and forth. Is there are reason why it is not in a fixed position, which would eliminate the need for having bumpers at all...

 

[johneh]

In 24 years, I have changed many auger shafts that have twisted or allowed the lock-down bolt to slip on the shaft or even some that have a bolt that goes into the auger shaft break, destroying the motor and the shaft. The free motion of the Envrio motor allows for more torque on a stuck pellet with out over torqueing the shaft or motor.
Yes, a rubber hose is sufficient. Where the hoses are is not a high-heat-level area, so a RUBBER hose works well in cushioning the torque

 

[NowhereMan]

Anybody have any idea whether these are any good and, if so, whether the more expensive one might be worth the additional money?

Enviro and Vistaflame Auger Feed and Agitator Motor, EF-001

Enviro, Hudson River, Regency, and VistaFlame 1 RPM Auger Feed Motor/Agitator Stirrer Motor. Replaces EF4i-001, EF5-116, EF-001. Best Price, 2-Year Warranty!

pellethead.com

Enviro, Vistaflame, Regency, Hudson River Auger Motor EF-001

Enviro 1 RPM 115V Auger Motor. Ball Bearing USA Feed Motor. Hudson River, Vistaflame, Regency Pellet Stoves. Replaces EF-001, GF55-001. Best Price, Fast Ship!

pellethead.com

 

[NowhereMan]

Just one more thing (as Columbo would say...) before I give up and buy a new auger motor.

I'd thought that the bumpers were the problem, but nothing I tried seemed to help. It now looks to me like the metal piece that moves up when the motor engages (see the video below) is the ultimate source of the noise. Is this normal? If so, is there anything that can be done to dampen the noise?

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[johneh]

That looks like the lower bushing on the gearbox is stuck to the output shaft
and worn the gearbox housing. If the bushing and shaft are seized together,
The only repair is to replace the auger motor or have a machine shop replace
the bushing with an oversize one that is press fit to the gearbox
Auger Motor Friendly Fires in Canada in Canadian Dollars

Enviro Pellet Auger Motor - Genuine Part - Heavy Duty (EF-001)

This is the OEM Enviro (ie Envirofire) Pellet Stove replacement auger motor for most Enviro pellet stoves and pellet insert fireplaces (see applicable

friendlyfires.ca

 

[NowhereMan]

That looks like the lower bushing on the gearbox is stuck to the output shaft
and worn the gearbox housing. If the bushing and shaft are seized together,
The only repair is to replace the auger motor or have a machine shop replace
the bushing with an oversize one that is press fit to the gearbox
Auger Motor Friendly Fires in Canada in Canadian Dollars

Enviro Pellet Auger Motor - Genuine Part - Heavy Duty (EF-001)

This is the OEM Enviro (ie Envirofire) Pellet Stove replacement auger motor for most Enviro pellet stoves and pellet insert fireplaces (see applicable

friendlyfires.ca

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll replace the auger motor then, and report back after it's done...

 

[NowhereMan]

I replaced the auger motor with this one:

Enviro, Vistaflame, Regency, Hudson River Auger Motor EF-001

Enviro 1 RPM 115V Auger Motor. Ball Bearing USA Feed Motor. Hudson River, Vistaflame, Regency Pellet Stoves. Replaces EF-001, GF55-001. Best Price, Fast Ship!

pellethead.com

It's now so quiet that I didn't even realize it was working until pellets started dropping. What an amazing difference--better than new!

I also ordered a new blower/fan. The fan noise can't compare to that horrible auger noise, but I think the blower is nearing the end of it's usefulness, so I'm going to replace that too...