I purchased a Montpelier last October for a 1940's Dutch Colonial in Mass. It is a joy in every respect except just this week, after some hot coals fell out and my wife and I scurried to pick them up, the fan motor has begun really chirping like the fan is out of alignment or something. It still burns great, but the high pitch clacking of the fan is about driving me nuts. I can't seem to quiet it down. Any suggestions for a remedy would be greatly appreciated.

I will try to keep a long story brief.We bought a new mod.V/C encore cat/noncat We put it in mid Nov.2010. Mid Dec. 2010 we started to try to use it around the clock. We can only get 4-4.5 hours of burn time. I went to The dealer late Dec. He said could be my wood so I tried two different wood sources . Than they said to check the gaskets "the dollar bill trick" No problem . the dealer said he would get the regional distributor involved and it would take a week or so. A week later the dealer called and said 7-10 days.On day 9 we woke up to a cold stove ,As usual also a broken fire brick .Now Evan my wife is upset so we went back to the dealer .we were not happy and the dealer was not happy with us. after the first exchange he told us he had said 7-10 days and it was only 9 whats are problem. I pulled out of a bag the broken fire brick.He still wasn't moved. I'll wrap it up.The reg. dist. called that day He asked that I try a few things and we would talk again in a few days. When we did he had spoken to V/C they told him Other stoves in the northeast are having the same issue and they had a fix . It is now March and the stove is still not fixed. Worst $2,500.00 we ever spent we are burning twice the wood and the dealer called me a liar. I will never buy a V/C stove or any other Monessen Hearth product. Do not go to the stove store in Plymouth Mass. Good Luck

I would guess, it's the gas flowing to the pilot light. ?? Your friend may have electronic ignition or it's just quieter.

I assume you mean that the damper is stuck. First, the handle should point down when the damper is closed, horizontal when it is open. With the stove pipe removed, you will be able to see the damper when you look straight down. When closed the damper rests on a removable cast iron plate that fits between the fireback and the rearmost casting. Sometimes this plate can shift enough to catch on the edge of the damper and keep it from opening. Re-seating the plate properly (sometimes a difficul task) should free the damper. The handle itself is has a set screw which holds it tight to the shaft which turns the damper. A loose set screw may have allowed the handle to go to the open position even though the damper is stuck closed.This could easily have happened if someone tried to force the damper open by applying excessive force to the handle. If your stove has a catalytic burner, there is also a bypass mechanism that may have become stuck. If you don't have a manual with a diagram of the stove, you may be able to find one at www.vermontcastings.com.