Auger getting stuck after full disassembly, unclogging, and cleaning.

Pit_Howse12

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I have a pit boss 700t1 (small stock green smoker thar doesn't have a primer button). Never had a problem with it until I left Pellets in it during a week long rain. I am new to the pellet grill game and didn't realize the Pellets would take in ALL the moisture and become a concrete block in my auger tube.

I have completely disassembled the auger and cleaned out the clog. I had to use a pipe-wrench to unscrew the auger due to how badly it was jammed. I was able to clear everything. Basically cleaned it the same way I would a gun with a tube snake and a soft metal bristle brush. The auger slid in very nicely and seemed to turn very freely when I was manually testing it.

Now that I have reassembled the smoker, everything appears to be working fine EXCEPT the auger will turn a full circle and then get stuck right at about the 7 or 8 o clock mark if you think of the circle of the tube where the Pellets come out as a clock. It makes a knocking noise about 2-3 times and I can see it appearing to get hung up. It gets past the knocking noise and then turns about 2-3 centimeters more and then just stops. I can hear the auger motor running trying to turn it but it just won't move. No knocking noise when this is happening. If I pull at it, it will dislodge and continue turning until getting stuck in that exact same position again. It's great that I can get it to move but obviously not at all feasible with all the equipment put back in the rig and while having food on the smoker.

Do I need to take the whole thing apart again and sandpaper the auger? It has rusted in a few spots because of the clog but seemed smoothe, and like I said turned freely and easily when I was manually doing it. Or do I need to just buy another auger coil? I was really hoping to use the smoker tonight but I'll wait if I need to order another coil.

Thanks in advance.
 
I had a very similar problem as I got a used pb1000SC2. The auger was locked up due to expanded and dried pellets. I removed the auge with a pipe wrench and used a wire brush to clean the tube. I then cleaned all the rust out of the tube with sandpaper on a long power drill extension. I also wire brushed and sanded the auger to make sure there was no rust or ruff spots. I also oiled the auger and tube lightly. This seemed to smooth out the auger operation. I have had no problems with it in over a year. Hope this helps.
 
Thank you!! I will try cleaning the auger tube real good with a wore brush and sandpaper like you mentioned! Haven't tried that yet. I did sandpaper down the spirals of the auger but just on the corners where I thought it touched the tube.

I really appreciate the feedback. I also ran the motor without the auger attached to make sure it was spinning freely by itself and it is.

I may wire out the tube and just buy a replacement auger to make sure there is not rust touching rust!
 
Thank you!! I will try cleaning the auger tube real good with a wore brush and sandpaper like you mentioned! Haven't tried that yet. I did sandpaper down the spirals of the auger but just on the corners where I thought it touched the tube.

I really appreciate the feedback. I also ran the motor without the auger attached to make sure it was spinning freely by itself and it is.

I may wire out the tube and just buy a replacement auger to make sure there is not rust touching rust!
From your original description of the problem, there's a chance that the auger motor has stripped one of the gears, and doesn't slip until there is a load on the motor, like when the auger is moving pellets. There's actually a gear that is made out of plastic that can be damaged. Here's a picture of a damaged gear. https://www.pitbossforum.com/threads/pro-series-auger-issues-resolved.3385/post-26468
 
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