Loud Harman Accentra Insert Combustion Motor

[Old Smokey]

Hi!
Our stove has been making a strange sound lately. Everything is working fine and it's clean as can be, but we pulled it out to try and determine what's happening. After putting it in test mode and listening/looking with a flashlight we are pretty sure it's the combustion motor. Particularly what I think is the rear bearing?

Everything sounds/looks/works fine and then all of a sudden the ring around the shaft will start rotating (it doesn't seem to normally spin at all when there is no unusual sound). Once this starts spinning then the strange vibrating-ish noise begins. It seems to last for a few seconds and only makes the noise while the ring is turning. Once the ring stops turning the sound stops and all is well for a minute or sometimes longer. Then the process begins again. So, is this a bearing in the back that is going bad? The two screws that hold this piece on were about one whole turn loose. I tightened them just barely snug hoping that would improve the situation but it didn't. Can someone help shed some light on this? Thanks very much in advance and hope everyone is keeping warm and enjoying the new year.

 

[F4jock]

Hi!
Our stove has been making a strange sound lately. Everything is working fine and it's clean as can be,View attachment 149484 but we pulled it out to try and determine what's happening. After putting it in test mode and listening/looking with a flashlight we are pretty sure it's the combustion motor. Particularly what I think is the rear bearing?

Everything sounds/looks/works fine and then all of a sudden the ring around the shaft will start rotating (it doesn't seem to normally spin at all when there is no unusual sound). Once this starts spinning then the strange vibrating-ish noise begins. It seems to last for a few seconds and only makes the noise while the ring is turning. Once the ring stops turning the sound stops and all is well for a minute or sometimes longer. Then the process begins again. So, is this a bearing in the back that is going bad? The two screws that hold this piece on were about one whole turn loose. I tightened them just barely snug hoping that would improve the situation but it didn't. Can someone help shed some light on this? Thanks very much in advance and hope everyone is keeping warm and enjoying the new year.

Sounds like it's spun. I'd try tightening the screws more and, can it be lubed? Looks like a sealed bearing and what is moving is the seal but not sure as I've never had to play with this component and the picture blurs when I enlarge it. Doubt that will do it anyway but. . . How old is the stove? Possible warranty situation?

 

[Old Smokey]

Hahahaha I wish it was still under warranty but those days were gone long ago. Thanks for the reply and yeah I haven't really had to do much with this component either except occasionally remove and clean the fins. It still works great though so that good. I'm really just hoping it will make it through the winter then I can pull it out and give it a better inspection and maybe/hopefully just replace the rear bearing? I sure wouldn't want to replace the entire thing since I'm sure it would cost some bucks. Thanks again F4!

 

[F4jock]

Hahahaha I wish it was still under warranty but those days were gone long ago. Thanks for the reply and yeah I haven't really had to do much with this component either except occasionally remove and clean the fins. It still works great though so that good. I'm really just hoping it will make it through the winter then I can pull it out and give it a better inspection and maybe/hopefully just replace the rear bearing? I sure wouldn't want to replace the entire thing since I'm sure it would cost some bucks. Thanks again F4!

I'd get a bearing on order. If you let it go it might score the blower shaft and compound the repair and cost.

 

[tonyd]

Two abec 7 roller blade bearings from my sons skates have been doing just fine in my stove. Perfect fit. Have a whole closet full of them. Any good sports store.

 

[Old Smokey]

Who would have thought? That's great to know! Looks like the part number for whole motor is Harman part number 3-21-08639. I just wish I could get a schematic of it, so that I could get some part numbers for the bearing/assembly. No matter what I'll look into those skate bearings first, I have some on my old longboard that's been sitting in the garage for years. Is the replacement pretty easy? Do I just unscrew the 2 long screws, remove that rear piece, remove the old bearings and pop in the new ones? I get nervous tearing things down without a manual or schematic . Thanks for the info tonyd!

 

[F4jock]

Who would have thought? That's great to know! Looks like the part number for whole motor is Harman part number 3-21-08639. I just wish I could get a schematic of it, so that I could get some part numbers for the bearing/assembly. No matter what I'll look into those skate bearings first, I have some on my old longboard that's been sitting in the garage for years. Is the replacement pretty easy? Do I just unscrew the 2 long screws, remove that rear piece, remove the old bearings and pop in the new ones? I get nervous tearing things down without a manual or schematic . Thanks for the info tonyd!

You might need a puller to get the bearing off the shaft as well as a thin knife and some small screwdrivers to get the seal off. Be careful not to damage it cause it'll.hsve to go back in. Also helps to know what the rollers were lubed with. . . .need to count the bearings and not put in more or less.

 

[tonyd]

They will work in a pinch. They are oil lubed for speed and the stove bearings are grease. But as long as you don't tell your stove that, you will be fine. Mine has been running on them since the last two months of last years heating season. My son asked why two of his skate wheels are screeching really loud and I told him he wasn't skating fast enough. Hths

 

[F4jock]

Do yourself a favor. Not to detract from the skate suggestion but it doesn't seem you're in that much of a pinch. Keep the skate suggestion in the back of your mind for an emergency, order the right bearing and do the job once . . .

 

[Old Smokey]

The stove is running great, and the noise hasn't increased, so I would like to order the correct part. However, I can't find a parts manual specifically for the combustion motor. There are many complete motors for sale online, ranging from 90ish to 120ish dollars, but as you can imagine I'd rather just order the part I need. Is there a manual out there or should I contact Harman about the part? I'm worried they will just try and sell me a whole new motor.

 

[F4jock]

The stove is running great, and the noise hasn't increased, so I would like to order the correct part. However, I can't find a parts manual specifically for the combustion motor. There are many complete motors for sale online, ranging from 90ish to 120ish dollars, but as you can imagine I'd rather just order the part I need. Is there a manual out there or should I contact Harman about the part? I'm worried they will just try and sell me a whole new motor.

It's a free call to Harman. . . . . .and they don't sell direct.

 

[Old Smokey]

Well after calling Harman as well as talking with the people at the store where I purchased the Accentra Insert it turns out you can't just buy the bearing, at least not from them. The only part number they have is for the entire motor assembly. They had one in stock so I decided to just buy it and figured I'd swap it out this weekend. Once the old one is out I'll definitely keep it and hopefully get it fixed (either by me or a shop) and have it as a backup. So my only question is are there any tricks getting the old combustion/exhaust blower out and the new one in? I'm thinking it shouldn't be too difficult but you never know. Does anyone have any recommendations for me on how to replace this correctly? Thanks!

 

[NHcpa]

I have a picture of my stove in my aviator...something just ain't right.

 

[BrotherBart]

I have a picture of my stove in my aviator...something just ain't right

I bet the aviator thinks that too.

 

[Old Smokey]

ok?

 

[NHcpa]

All is cool, I too am a very happy guy for a whole host of reasons. I will say, it was a little confusing trying to figure out if a she or a he was posting. This said, I had two daughters who went to RPI (and a son) and they too can write technically competent.

 

[F4jock]

All is cool, I too am a very happy guy for a whole host of reasons. I will say, it was a little confusing trying to figure out if a she or a he was posting. This said, I had two daughters who went to RPI (and a son) and they too can write technically competent.

Rensaleer Poly! Good school! Worked with lots of 'em.

 

[NHcpa]

Rensaleer Poly! Good school! Worked with lots of 'em.

Wife went to Grove City College...