Broken Auger Pin

[roberickson]

I went to clean off the grates a couple of days ago by heating up the grill. During the warming-up process, I heard a pop and then a few minutes later, I received the temperature drop error. I turned off the grill and figured I'd look into later as I needed to take kids to soccer games. I went to use it today and noticed that it wasn't heating up at all and no pellets were dropping in. I waited for the grill to shut down and decided to access the auger. I then noticed the auger pin in 3 pieces on the ground and got that sinking feeling in my gut. I took out the auger and noticed the metal around the base of the auger had been cut by the pin. There are also pieces of the pin still stuck in the hole. This is the new auger as well. In addition to the auger being broke, I noticed the bracket that attaches the auger motor to the grill has been broken as well. It's really frustrating. I treat my grill really well. I only use Weber pellets and I clean it out after every use. I've had many of the issues that you all have had too, but this one is unacceptable. I found early on that if I use Weber pellets and clean out the grill and especially the fire pot every time, that I rarely have any issues with the grill. This is really frustrating. I'm guessing, based on the broken mount, that the entire grill will have to be replaced. Has anyone else experienced this? I have attached pictures for reference.

 

[bbqking]

I haven’t had any issues other than recently it won’t stay under 295…unless I use smokeboost. I’m about to tackle cleaning out 2nd gen auger, replacing control panel

 

[Goneincognito]

New auger assembly is all that's needed. Fairly easy to replace.
You say you clean it but do you also take out the auger and clear it of compacted dust?
From what I have seen, that is what causes issues such as this.

 

[roberickson]

New auger assembly is all that's needed. Fairly easy to replace.
You say you clean it but do you also take out the auger and clear it of compacted dust?
From what I have seen, that is what causes issues such as this.

Thank you. Hope so. Guess I will have to make cleaning the auger part of my routine. But what a pain. Do other brands require such care and cleaning?

 

[Goneincognito]

Thank you. Hope so. Guess I will have to make cleaning the auger part of my routine. But what a pain. Do other brands require such care and cleaning?

Cleaning the auger literally takes 5min including taking apart and back together.

I dont know about other brands and required cleaning but its not that hard for me to just clean it out between cooks and drop the drop every couple of weeks. I consider that general maintenance.

I have been doing that on my Gen2 EX4 since I got it last December and I havent had a single issue with it.

 

[roberickson]

Cleaning the auger literally takes 5min including taking apart and back together.

I dont know about other brands and required cleaning but its not that hard for me to just clean it out between cooks and drop the drop every couple of weeks. I consider that general maintenance.

I have been doing that on my Gen2 EX4 since I got it last December and I havent had a single issue with it.

That's good to hear. Thanks for the information, it is truly appreciated.

 

[Goneincognito]

No problem

 

[AlexJ]

I went to clean off the grates a couple of days ago by heating up the grill. During the warming-up process, I heard a pop and then a few minutes later, I received the temperature drop error. I turned off the grill and figured I'd look into later as I needed to take kids to soccer games. I went to use it today and noticed that it wasn't heating up at all and no pellets were dropping in. I waited for the grill to shut down and decided to access the auger. I then noticed the auger pin in 3 pieces on the ground and got that sinking feeling in my gut. I took out the auger and noticed the metal around the base of the auger had been cut by the pin. There are also pieces of the pin still stuck in the hole. This is the new auger as well. In addition to the auger being broke, I noticed the bracket that attaches the auger motor to the grill has been broken as well. It's really frustrating. I treat my grill really well. I only use Weber pellets and I clean it out after every use. I've had many of the issues that you all have had too, but this one is unacceptable. I found early on that if I use Weber pellets and clean out the grill and especially the fire pot every time, that I rarely have any issues with the grill. This is really frustrating. I'm guessing, based on the broken mount, that the entire grill will have to be replaced. Has anyone else experienced this? I have attached pictures for reference.

I just had the same thing happen. Weird how the motor is a semi-circle shape, but the auger is a full circle, as it would still work if the pin broke. Alas, I digress, looks like yours was still different to mine. Mine didn't have a pin, but rather some kind of screw...... Not sure. I called webber, they are sending me a whole new auger (2nd time!). I bought a new pin from the hardware store so I can run it for now. Will keep the spares as a backup this time I think. I just posted about it myself.

 

[abmet]

That sucks. I just cleaned my auger couple days ago. Definitely had some packed pellets but not too bad. I’ve started pulling the auger every few months depending on how much usage. It is very quick and easy, literally 6 screws, but does make a mess on the ground.

 

[kaptain_zero]

This failure happens during shutdown when the auger reverses direction and pulls the pellets back. There is a way to modify the auger so it doesn't happen and I should have posted it a long time ago, but....... Note, this modification is ONLY to eliminate the sheared cotter pin problem and has ZERO effect on pellet feeding during actual cooking.

I will post my fix and probably comment on flameout and feeding problems in the thread on the weekend:

And..... that's all she wrote for now......<sigh>​

 

[Goneincognito]

Promises promises.....

 

[kaptain_zero]

I have been struggling with a multitude of health issues this year, almost all have been corrected, but one will not be dealt with by a specialist until January 2022 and it's causing me a lot of grief. Loosing my wife in August 2020 didn't help much either.

 

[kaptain_zero]

The modifications I made have been posted:

Here.

 

[abmet]

I have been struggling with a multitude of health issues this year, almost all have been corrected, but one will not be dealt with by a specialist until January 2022 and it's causing me a lot of grief. Loosing my wife in August 2020 didn't help much either.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[MrPhilGrillTX]

My condolences on losing your wife, that has to suck.