HARMAN ACCENTRA 52I PELLET INSERT AUGER NOISE

[StanleyinMD]

I'm getting a squeal type noise when the auger is feeding pellets into the burn pot. It does it about every 7-8 seconds and just recently started. Stove is almost 4 years old, never had this issue before using various types of pellets from pine to oak. Everything works fine just get this annoying sound. Stove receives major tear down cleaning in the spring (stove pulled out into the room on service rails) and weekly quick cleaning during the burn season. It does this mostly on start ups. You can hear the noise with the attached short audio clip. Your thoughts or suggestions? I appreciate any feedback. Thank you, Stanley

 

[johneh]

Maybe a dry auger bushing

 

[StanleyinMD]

Maybe a dry auger bushing

Thanks johneh, do you know if this can be lubricated or can the bushing be purchased separately or any other thoughts?

 

[Mt Bob]

Next time your stove is off,clean out the fire pot,check the end of the auger flutes,and the auger tube,for carbon buildup,scrape it out if needed.

 

[Mt Bob]

Your stove does not have an auger bushing.

 

[StanleyinMD]

Next time your stove is off,clean out the fire pot,check the end of the auger flutes,and the auger tube,for carbon buildup,scrape it out if needed.

Thanks Bob, I've scraped the burn pot area really good and the auger as much as I could reach so maybe it's further inside. I'm guessing when I do the spring cleanup I might have to remove the auger (if I can) and thoroughly clean both the auger and surrounding area.

 

[Mt Bob]

Sometimes running stove on high for a few hours will temp. clean enough out to make noise go away.

 

[StanleyinMD]

Sometimes running stove on high for a few hours will temp. clean enough out to make noise go away.

Bob, you're correct BUT why after almost 4 years is the auger noise starting now? Obviously the auger must be rubbing against something to cause the noise so I need to see where that is. And after I shut the stove down and it cools the noise returns when I start it up. The stove runs great (knock on wood) but I want to correct this issue before it gets worse. I will stop by the dealer where I purchased the stove and see what they have to say. Thank you so much for your suggestions. I'll try anything to fix this myself without having the dealer send service technicians out $$$$. Stanley

 

[Mt Bob]

Part of maintenance,when they get older,is pulling the auger,cleaning it and the auger tube.A hone works well,but sandpaper works.Remote possibility is the auger bearing,or motor.See what your dealer says.

 

[StanleyinMD]

Part of maintenance,when they get older,is pulling the auger,cleaning it and the auger tube.A hone works well,but sandpaper works.Remote possibility is the auger bearing,or motor.See what your dealer says.

I've never pulled the auger so I'll need to do that and really clean it up. Hope it's not the motor, need to see if there is anything that needs to be lubricated too. You stated in post #5 there is no bearing so I'm not sure if I have a bearing or not. Going to stop by the dealer asap to see if any service technician might be around or at least talk to someone at the dealer. Thanks again. I'll let everyone know when I speak to someone.

 

[Mt Bob]

There is no "bushing".Harmans use a big bearing,at the back of the auger.The bearing is sealed.

 

[StanleyinMD]

There is no "bushing".Harmans use a big bearing,at the back of the auger.The bearing is sealed.

Thanks Bob so much. FYI for anyone who is viewing this here is what I discovered and did to correct the problem. After viewing the comments here and talking to a friend of mine who has the same stove I had to go into town and decided to stop by the Harmon dealer. I talked to a salesman who stated to look really hard at the tube surrounding the auger and see if there is a build up of burned material. He said to take a sharp object to knock off the material. He said the problem will most likely be where the auger is closest to the burn pot. Sure enough I noticed a thin layer of burned material surrounding the auger. Took an awl and using a small hammer I kept chipping away at the material. Cleaned up the whole area and burn pot, started the stove and it purred like a kitten, NO NOISE! So again thank you Bob for your help in this matter, Stanley

 

[Mt Bob]

Thanks Bob so much. FYI for anyone who is viewing this here is what I discovered and did to correct the problem. After viewing the comments here and talking to a friend of mine who has the same stove I had to go into town and decided to stop by the Harmon dealer. I talked to a salesman who stated to look really hard at the tube surrounding the auger and see if there is a build up of burned material. He said to take a sharp object to knock off the material. He said the problem will most likely be where the auger is closest to the burn pot. Sure enough I noticed a thin layer of burned material surrounding the auger. Took an awl and using a small hammer I kept chipping away at the material. Cleaned up the whole area and burn pot, started the stove and it purred like a kitten, NO NOISE! So again thank you Bob for your help in this matter, Stanley

Stay warm!BTY,I grew up in the Frederick area.

 

[P51mustang]

I had the same issue with my Harman P61A about half way through its first heat season after install. Now when I do my 3 week major cleaning I always check the auger area where it meets the burn pot. Since that's when I really go to town and scrape the carbon built up super well in the burn pot, taking another minute or two to inspect and possibly scrape small build ups or even small burrs around the auger is well worth the effort.

Just make it part of your cleaning regime and you'll typically avoid any additional build up in that area....

 

[StanleyinMD]

I had the same issue with my Harman P61A about half way through its first heat season after install. Now when I do my 3 week major cleaning I always check the auger area where it meets the burn pot. Since that's when I really go to town and scrape the carbon built up super well in the burn pot, taking another minute or two to inspect and possibly scrape small build ups or even small burrs around the auger is well worth the effort.

Just make it part of your cleaning regime and you'll typically avoid any additional build up in that area....

Thanks, I will from now on but surprisingly it took 4 years for this to happen.

 

[StanleyinMD]

Stay warm!BTY,I grew up in the Frederick area.

Bob, I'm about an hour away in Jarrettsville. Take care. Stanley

 

[THE ROOSTER]

Next time your stove is off,clean out the fire pot,check the end of the auger flutes,and the auger tube,for carbon buildup,scrape it out if needed.

WHAT HE SAID!! Sounds like carbon build up, I use a long handle flat blade screwdriver, just be careful around the auger! Try to clean the 360 degree area