My Turn

[johneh]

Got up this morning to a cold house. The pellet stove off no fire. Shut down, push the start switch
combustion fan comes on but does not sound the way it should. The stove is an Envrio fe3 just about 24 years old
only ever had to replace the combustion fan once and that was about a month and a half ago. The auger feed light is on steady
now what? Have not seen that in a lot of years. OK, I know the combustion fan needs replacement do that first then
some more diagnosis. Now at my age the knees don't work the manual dexterity is not what it used to be. Call youngest (HVAC Tech.)
Luckily he is not far and will be over when he gets done with the unit he is repairing. He gets home and pulls the fan you would not
believe the grinding of the front bearing New unit in fires it up now the auger feed light is working showing the stove is feeding 8 min.
later fire /heat Better half is a happy camper. I decided to call the owner of the company that I had bought the fans from and told him what happened.
Not 20 minutes ago one of his installers delivered me a new fan to put in my stock no Charge. I worked for him on and off for a few years
This kind of service is why I recommend him and his people
Every Body stay warm

 

[Whitenuckler]

This makes me a bit nervous as I bought some "aftermarket" parts as spare ie combustion blower. Can a guy change these bearings in a blower he takes out? If I am taking out a worn out Harman blower, is it worth trying, or are these designed to become trash?

 

[johneh]

You need a set of bearing pullers. I am going to try and see if I can get them off and if they are available

 

[Whitenuckler]

You need a set of bearing pullers. I am going to try and see if I can get them off and if they are available

Amazon.ca

Here are the ones I had to buy to replace the bearings on my shop vac. I didn't own any before, but now that I'm retired I have plenty of time to change bearings. Check your markings if you can get one off. Probably metric and small so you will have to order. If you mic the shaft, and outer diameter, you can determine what it is from charts.

 

[stovelark]

Glad you're warm again John. i'm with you about the EF3, nice heater and well made, the design was proven. Was surprised when she was discontinued, I sure sold as many as I could. Take care.

 

[johneh]

I was able to pull the bearing off (a little heat ) and a lot of force
The front bearing was pitted, most likely from new. It would never show up in QC
The fan was(is) OMC. just shows that you can get a bad one from anywhere.
The next step GBS in Ottawa for bearings (GBS = General Bearing Service)

 

[Whitenuckler]

I was able to pull the bearing off (a little heat ) and a lot of force
The front bearing was pitted, most likely from new. It would never show up in QC
The fan was(is) OMC. just shows that you can get a bad one from anywhere.
The next step GBS in Ottawa for bearings (GBS = General Bearing Service)

Are they sealed ball bearings, and did you took one apart to see the pitting on the race? No sign of grease? The one on my shop vac was 90% gone. In the final seconds it must have blown up.