I know what you mean about heat smells - no heat smell - just an oil smell.
I'll get a look at that thing in a few days.
This doesn't sound real bad - it just slows down or goes slow with the load.
I've never taken that balance wheel gear apart - I should do it on the parts machine first - it did not turn at all when I put it on the slow machine. I need to do some more looking some time. For now I need to get the ice out.