EFM 520 Squeak

Buckshot1822 · Post by **Buckshot1822** » Sat. Nov. 10, 2018 8:29 pm

I have a refurbished EFM 520 that I installed this fall. I have been burning it for a few weeks. I have a loud squeak coming from the connecting rod that attaches to the gear box. I have tried oil, and grease to no avail. If I put lateral pressure on the rod it stops squeaking. Is there bushings in that connecting rod that can wear out? Any ideas where to look?

Post by **StokerDon** » Sat. Nov. 10, 2018 9:58 pm

If it's squeaking, its dry. The first thing I would do, since this is a recent re-furb, pull the connecting rod off and be sure the oil hole isn't blocked by paint or something.

-Don

Buckshot1822 · Post by **Buckshot1822** » Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 7:26 am

The thing is, it's not dry. I have greased it using a grease gun for a chain saw and there is definitely grease in the joint.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 7:41 am

Remove one of the cotter pins that connects the drive shaft to the auger and run the stoker to see if the noise is still present.

Buckshot1822 · Post by **Buckshot1822** » Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 9:17 am

Yea it still squeaks. The squeak is coming from the top joint of the connecting rod. And if I hold on to it while it's running it doesnt squeak.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Nov. 11, 2018 2:46 pm

It is pretty odd that it is squeaking if things have been lubed like you say. Try removing the connecting rod and see if anything looks weird - and try turning the stoker on with the connecting rod removed. If it squeaks with the rod removed...the noise is likely in the gearbox (you DID check the oil level in that, right?).

Dakotaguy · Post by **Dakotaguy** » Tue. Nov. 13, 2018 9:09 pm

Is the brass bushing behind the ratchet gear worn or missing and like Rob said check the gear box for oil good luck these units will last a lifetime if taken care of my uncle Joe's is from the 1960s still working like new

Post by **Rob R.** » Tue. Nov. 13, 2018 9:14 pm

Yep...last step is to take apart the drive mechanism and see what is going on there.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Tue. Nov. 13, 2018 9:52 pm

Agreed, could be a squeak from the gearbox that is being transmitted into the connecting rod. When you grab hold of the connecting rod it might be stopping the noise from the gear reducer.

Buckshot1822 · Post by **Buckshot1822** » Wed. Nov. 14, 2018 2:10 pm

I got it to stop squeaking with some heavy weight gear oil on each end of the connecting rod. There is quite a bit of play in the rod. It just seems like it gets to where its riding on one side if the rod instead if it being reasonably centered.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Wed. Nov. 14, 2018 8:05 pm

OK, glad you were able to quiet it down. The rod on mine has some play ass well, not quite that bad yet.