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[mlappin]

Got a call last night after midnight, guy that I installed a used 434 said the water temp was dropping but it was stuffed full of wood.

Not that far a drive, 15-20 minutes tops, so I grabbed a few tools and headed that way.

Got the cover off and sure enough flapper was open but motor wasn’t spinning. Stuck my finger in and rocked it back and forth then a couple of good flips got it going, shut it off and tried to get some WD40 under the squirrel cage and to the motor shaft. Got some to it as could hear a change in pitch.

Theory is creosote got around the shaft then with the -3 temp and -15 windchill it set up tight, door was facing right into the wind as well.

Any secrets on these to keep that from happening again? I’m tempted to drill a few small holes right at the fan hub so its easier to get some lube on the shaft.

[hondaracer2oo4]

How old is the fan? Might just be simply tired. Most of these fans have all gone sealed bearings as you know I am sure. The old fans if you religiously kept them lubed would run forever. Now no lube but they don’t last forever anymore.

[mlappin]

Previous owner of the boiler replaced it not to long ago, all the labels are still legible and the paint looks good yet.

[E Yoder]

I've seen a fan get seized up with creosote on those door fan units. It's so close to the moisture on the door. Any chance the air channel through the door is partially clogged, creating a slow burn and lots of creosote? I saw one that way once, drooled creosote til it caught fire in side the door and burned it clean.

[mlappin]

When it burns it burns pretty good for a conventional, water temp went from 105 to 120 by time I dropped each sheetmetal screw that held the cover on four or five times trying to reinstall it.

Thats my theory, creosote had it stuck, the passageway appeared clear other than the thin coating of creosote.

Kids still learning on how to use a OWB, I imagine it’s overloaded with wood more often than not adding to the creosote issue.