Whitfield Quest, auger no sound, other problems

[co1838]

I recently acquired a Whitfield Quest, used of course. This is my first foray in the pellet world by the way. It ran well for the first day or two. It ran well yesterday as well, this AM though i woke to it off. The burn pot loaded up into the tube with charred pellets. When i poked the end of the tube fresh pellets were backed up into the tube. I turned it back on, to see if it would start running, the pellets caught due to a buried ember and it burned, but there was no pellet drop, for 15 min, and I can't hear the auger motor running, although the light comes on as normal. I ordered an auger motor, but was not curious if people think that will solve the issue. All fans operate normally. Also, due to the buring pile of pellets there is a small hole in the back of the firebrick to the bottom right of the delivery pipe, not sure it that is a huge deal that needs immediate addressing or not.

Secondly, the ash build up is significant, all the way up to the burn pot in 24 hours. I have used two different types of pellets and it happens with both, there is no way to get the ash out other than scooping or vacuuming, so I was curious if shutting it down daily is the only option. Thanks for your anticipated responses. I am a rookie, so be gentle!

 

[Bioburner]

How well did you clean the stove before starting it up. Its a great stove. Have you gotten a manual and read it? Got to go and tend a smoking turkey. Off to Gramma's house I go. Will be back I have a manual etc.

 

[Ricks]

I have a quest and really like it. The stove is very easy to work on. It does gave a few areas that are very hard to clean. Based on your description is sounds like the auger may be jammed. To fix that you could try grabbing the auger motor and turning it by hand. Be sure to unplug the stove first. I have never had any luck doing that but if it works it saves you from having to remove the auger it self.

If that does not work empty the hopper of pellets. Next remove the allen bolt that holds the auger motor to the shaft. One that is done set the motor aside. No need to unplug the motor. Next there are four bolts that hold the plate and auger shaft in. Remove the four bolts and if you get lucky the auger will drop right out. Otherwise you will need to rock the shaft side to side and rotate it to get the shaft to drop out. Once that happens the jam should be free.

Now reassembled the shaft and plate. Reinstall the four bolts. Now try and rotate the shaft by hand. It should rotate smoothly in either direction with no rough spots. One that is done attach the auger motor. Plug the stove back in and try turning the stove on. Don't light the stove just turn the blowers on and the pellet feed on. Watch the auger motor to see if it turns.

Hopefully that will work for you.

The quest does have two areas that are very hard to clean which can prevent the stove from completely burning all the pellets. First perform a thorough cleaning of the stove. Next remove the firebrick and with a rubber mallet hit the back of the stove right behind where the firebrick sits. You can also blow compress air down the two exhaust ports one on the top right and on on the top left left sides of the stove. Once that is done perform the leaf blower trick for additional cleaning.

Attach the suction side of the leaf blower to the exhaust pipe. This is done outside. Open the door of the stove and disconnect the rubber hose from the vacuum sensor. Once that is done turn the leaf blower on and it will suck all the ash out of the exhaust ports. If this is done correctly there is no mess in the house since you are sucking ash from the stove through the piping and out side. There are several YouTube videos that show how this works.

Reassemble the stove and connect up the rubber hose. Fill the hopper with pellets and light it. The stove should burn the pellets completely now. Note I have found the stove to be picky when it comes to pellets. It really prefers low ash high quality pellets.

Let us now if these suggestions work. A clean stove always works better.

Rick........

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Agree with Ricks, although if pellets burn too quickly and the fire goes out it can also cause this (pellets keep feeding and back up before stove shuts down, then reignite). Your best bet is to follow Ricks' advice, monitor stove closely for a week or so, and see how you make out. Much more likely that the stove is just dirty, as Ricks notes.

 

[co1838]

Thanks for the resonses! I have an auger motor coming, i will wait until it arrives to pull it out and go through it, just in case its cooked. It is an insert, which i forgot to mention in the original post. Once again, thanks for the responses!

 

[co1838]

Just as an informational update: Emptied the pellets today, saw a nice clog around the edges at the top of the pipe with a mirror and light. Worked at it a little, but couldn't clear it all. Went around back, loosened the auger motor, gave the auger a few good twists and it loosened right up. I ran a cycle (no pellets, just fans) and the auger ran just as it should, so no need for the motor thats in the mail, but will save for a rainy day. Haven't fired it up, wanted to go through and clean a little bit better before I do.

 

[Ricks]

Based on the original description of the problem I was sure the problem was a jam and not a fried auger motor. Glad to hear you found and cleared the jam.

Good luck with the stove it is a good one.

Rick.......

 

[MButkus]

Make sure your pellets are not too long !

 

[Bioburner]

Make sure your pellets are not too long !

Or big around.