More Enviro Milan Issues

[Danman1116]

After combing through the posts I couldn't find anything that would help resolve my issue.

So you all were a great help in helping me diagnose some issues I was having with my Enviro Milan last year and hoping you can help again.

I have an Enviro Milan insert and everything at the moment is all original parts except the exhaust blower. My issue at the moment is that when I turn on my stove there is just a dull hum with no other noises and nothing being fed. I've tried completely emptying the hopper and getting rid of any dust and debris inside it. Some things that I've been reading is that it could be a vacuum issue (I've cleaned the one hose that I could find), an auger motor issue or even a combustion issue. Some have said to maybe bench test both of these parts but this is something I've never done before. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ARC]

Add a couple of male spades on to a old lamp cord. Unplug stove, pull it out, remove two leads from auger motor, attach your lamp cord, plug it into wall socket, auger should run at full speed, no need to take auger off of stove to test it You can do the same thing to the blower motors. My lamp cord happens to have a on off clicker it is convenient but not needed. I have had the same cord for over 30 years, if you do not have a old cord laying around they are cheap enough to by one.

 

[johneh]

Start with the combustion blower if it is not working the auger motor will
not work. No vacuum and no auger to get a vacuum you need the combustion fan working
It may only need cleaning

 

[Danman1116]

Excellent, thanks for the help folks! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

 

[Danman1116]

Just an update, took off the convection blower and it was absolutely stuff with pellets old and new as well as some unknown objects which seems to be ceramic? Have a funny feeling the blower got burned out. Gonna try testing them tomorrow. Will update

 

[Danman1116]

Alright, jumped the auger and heard a hum, did the same with the convection blower and nothing. Safe to say it's the blower at this point?

 

[johneh]

Me thinks you found it

 

[stovelark]

Did you test the exhaust blower? Its the blower on left as you look at front of the Milan.
The exhaust blower spins up and starts, sets the vacuum switch (closes it), then auger is allowed to come on and feed pellets. Convection blower comes on with POF closing (switch above exhaust blower). Is the air damper all way left, then move back about 1/2" for proper burn? The Milan (Steel frame version of the Empress FPI) is a very dependable heater, if set up properly. Good luck with her.

 

[Danman1116]

I will test that as well. I've replaced it recently (within the last couple years) so hopefully it's not that. I also am going to try a new conversation blower which hoping that does the trick! 🤞

 

[Danman1116]

So I just wanted to double check the convection and I mustve not had it connected all the way when bench testing. Works fine...do the same for the exhaust and just get a humming noise. That would be it if say?

Another update, pulled the exhaust motor off completely and tested. Works fine. Now I'm stumped!

 

[johneh]

Was the combustion fan real dirty plugged with ash
Make sure the area is clean of any ash from the heat
exchanger outlet to the exhaust termination

 

[Danman1116]

Was the combustion fan real dirty plugged with ash
Make sure the area is clean of any ash from the heat
exchanger outlet to the exhaust termination

The convection had a bunch of pellets in it and the blades were gunked with dust and dirt. Cleaned them real well with a wire brush

 

[johneh]

Make sure everything else is clean put it back in and test your stove as they say a clean stove is a happy stove

 

[Danman1116]

Cleaned out the hopper, cleaned the exhaust and convection. Anything else I should be cleaning? Still no luck.

 

[johneh]

What happens when you start the stove?

 

[Danman1116]

What happens when you start the stove?

Just a hum coming from somewhere. Nothing is getting fed

 

[johneh]

Is the stove on a thermostat?

 

[Danman1116]

No thermostat, just a daughter board that I change the temperature with (see attached). The amber light you see in the bg does flash, but I feel like that's normal operation?

Is the stove on a thermostat?

 

[johneh]

Did you check the voltage to the combustion fan motor?
also, check the hi-limit switch (red Button ) to see if it needs to be reset push down on the red button if it clicks it is reset

 

[Ssyko]

I would lean towards a combustion/exhaust blower motor. When this was replaced was an OEM or aftermarket used?

 

[stovelark]

If possible, put power directly to exhaust blower with motor in place.
Curious though, did you sweep the exhaust path this year? Pulling the interior panels, sweeping motor and housing and the exhaust liner? Motor isn't jammed by ash by chance? These motors are high RPM, but very little torque. They can get bound up. If exhaust blower is not turning, then vacuum switch will not close if insufficient vacuum is being created. If vacuum switch doesn't close, then auger will not be allowed to start. That's a nice unit, I've sold/cleaned a many of them.. had the sister unit (Empress FPI, still my avatar...)

 

[Danman1116]

So it was odd, when testing the exhaust motor with it attached to the stove, nothing happened. When taking it off and bench testing it, it worked. The motor itself is aftermarket

I have a new convection motor (aftermarket) that I haven't put on but when testing the OEM after cleaning it, it works fine.

High limit sensor is not tripped.

Gonna check behind the panels, totally forgot about that. Gave the duct and area around exhaust a precursory cleaning.

Thanks again for all your help folks! Glad this has happened before the New England winter sets in!

 

[johneh]

Something has to be jamming the fan when installed
Clearances are tight so make sure it is good and clean

 

[Danman1116]

Good news everyone! I got it going! After a thorough cleaning of the exhaust pipe it started up. Appears the exhaust motor is on its way out tho so I've already ordered a replacement. Thanks again everyone for all your help. Couldn't have done it without you all!

 

[stovelark]

Glad you got her moving. The exh motor (EF61A) is a good one, it usually gives 6-8 seasons (20-25 tons of pellets) of duty if cleaned properly every year. The exhaust liner should be cleaned every season obviously as well. Did you clean well behind the interior liners too?
That is a good unit, but will require care. I have always found the Enviro FS units tend to be more resistant to air flow issues than their inserts, but in all fairness inserts are pushing through a long liner. Anyway, glad she's moving again. From that picture, looks like she is due for some prettying up too, paint job etc. I'd check the airwash too on the door, I'm sure it could use some attention. Stay warm.