Good Englander Auger Motor Source?

[mayhem]

Englander 25-PVDC, about 20 years old or so, currently on my second winter with it. Been a great stove overall. Lower auger motor is making a nails on the chalkboard squeaking as it turns. Not constant, but its clearly lubrication or bearing related and a matter of time before it goes. I have a spare motor I bought last year from Amazon for my sister-in-law's stove that she opted to not repair so since its the same stove I just tossed it on the shelf as a spare part. Put it in and that thing is surprisingly loud...makes a constant racket that'll keep the stove running but its louder and more annoying that having the blower set to maximum.

So is this typical of the $40 range cheap parts on Amazon or did I just get unlucky and got a bum one? Should I just bite the bullet and buy the ones for $129 at parts4less? Of just step up to the $149 kit and get the whole lower auger kit? I can confirm the source of my squeaky noise is auger motor itself, having removed it and run it on the bench.

Love the heat from the stove, but I also value being able to hear the tv and have a conversation in the same room while its running. So, any specific recommendations for good quality, quiet motors?

 

[Ssyko]

If you pull the auger motors you will see the auger shafts go through a bearing they should be cleaned and greased every year. More than likely the bearing is the noise not the motor. If the noises continue in the motor gearbox they can be taken apart and re greased. If you get a new motor i would buy 2 top & bottom. Go for the aftermarket used em for years👍

 

[Ssyko]

Englander Nylon Auger Bearing Gasket: PU-ABGN

PDV, PDVC Pellet Stoves built after 2001 Seal between block bearing and stove Part# PU-UCF204-12 If you have a fiber gasket (stoves built prior to 2001), you cannot use this plastic one as a replacement. We carry all your Englander replacement parts. Order Online Now.

pellet-stove-parts-4less.com

Englander Auger Bearing: PU-UCF204-12-AMP

Pellet Stove Auger Bearing (block bearing) for pellet units 3/4" bore. Require gaskets two different styles: soft, Part PU‐ABG) 2001 older (hard, Part PU‐ABGNp units, 2002 to present. We're your source for all Englander parts. Order Now Online.

pellet-stove-parts-4less.com

Englander Auger Motor Replacement: PU-047040-AMP-N

Englander Auger Motor PU-047040 Replacement Fits England Stove Works Models 25-PDVC, 25-PDV, And Others. Order All Your Englander Stove Parts Now Online, Same-Day Shipping.

pellet-stove-parts-4less.com

 

[mayhem]

100% sure the noise is the motor...or is contained within the motor assembly. I figured it was the auger bearing at first (I did grease the zerk fittings before heating season), but then I took the motor out, put it on my workbench and powered it on and heard the squeaky. I put some electric motor oil my brother the HVAC tech gave me years ago and let it soak in, then repowered and the noise subsided considerably, reinstalled and blissfully quiet, but a few days later its back which is not surprising at all.

I'll pick up one of the motors you've linked above and see about disassembling and refurbing the one I have once a new one is in place and working properly.

Thanks very much for the information!

 

[ericofmaine]

I'll add to Ssyko's comment to replace them both and also to swap them every year (they're the same motor). Think of it like load sharing.

Eric

 

[mayhem]

Nuts. Order the above linked auger motor, came in last night and its almost, but not quite, as noisy as the cheap one I got off Amazon. Its like running an electric can opener constantly. Going to reach out and request a replacement. My upper auger motor is nearly silent as was the original one that died on me. Luck of the draw I suppose.

In other news, I did figure out what killed the old motor. Discovered I had a creosote buildup at the end of the lower auger bore, right at the edge where it dumps into the burn pot. I suspect this was the source of the squeaking I have been hearing that I was assuming was the original lower auger motor. It had build up enough to where the tip of the auger would bind up as it passed the 7 o'clock position, which I'm sure was what finally did in the old motor. So a new spot to pay attention to and keep clean.

 

[mayhem]

Support said to try tightening the motor screws on the end og the gearbox to quiet it down. Screws are cranked right down and will not tighten...nor will they loosen so I opted out of that. Opened my original motor up and found all the grease inside the gearbox was not just dried up, but had turned almost plasticky and hard. Pulled out most of the gears, cleaned everything, greased it up with wheel bearing high temp grease and reassembled. Darned if that motor doesn't still work and is almost dead silent. I let it run for a few hours and then reinstalled it in the stove, haven't had any issues since I did this on last Thursday night.

I'll RMA the motor back and see if a replacement is quieter.