Dryer tips, maintenance and troubleshooting…

GOOD NEWS: It almost never makes sense to buy a new dryer because dryers are simple machines that can be repaired at reasonable cost no matter what the problem.  

It is very important to keep the Dryers venting and lint filters clean at all times, this will prolong the life of the element system as well as provide you with a more energy efficient operation. For best drying results, clean the lint filter before each load. It is also a good practice to have the inside of the machine cleaned out about every 3 to 4 years.

Never use white plastic exhaust duct on any dryer!! The stuff is not only flammable, but it increases drying time tremendously! Do not use the foil-looking stuff, either! Use only aluminum semi-rigid duct available at better hardware stores.  See picture of burnt plastic exhaust duct >>>>>

Warning! To avoid personal injury or even death, always disconnect your appliance from its power source - that is, unplug it or break the connection at the circuit breaker or fuse box - before you do any troubleshooting or repair work on your appliance. Also, because some components may have sharp edges, use caution while working on your appliance.

Electric Dryers use 220 volts or two power lines of 110 volts each. Do not touch any power sources – 220volts are DEADLY – in seconds! Please contact us to correct the problem!

Gas Dryers - You should never disconnect a gas line or attempt repairs to any appliance while it is connected to power. Always disconnect the appliance from power before attempting any repairs.

Please read our legal Disclaimer first!!!
Dryer won't run:

• Dryer sounds like it starts but Drum is not turning:
• Dryer Runs but doesn't heat:
• Clothes take to long to dry:
• It won't tumble:
• Cycling thermostat:
• It overheats:
   

Dryer won't run:

1. Check to see whether there's power getting to the dryer. Is it plugged in? Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers - your dryer uses two fuses or circuit breakers.
2. The dryer could tumble but not heat if only one of the two fuses is blown. If you have circuit breakers, one of the two circuit breakers can trip.
3. Check that machine is plugged in.
4. Likely start switch, motor or timer failure

Dryer sounds like it starts but Drum is not turning:

1. Clothing or other item stuck in fan / blower assembly.                                                                              
2. Possibly a broken belt, roller or pulley.                                                                                                       

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Dryer Runs but doesn't heat:

           Electric models:

1. Full size electric domestic dryers run on a dual breaker/ fuse circuit. It is possible to have one breaker or fuse blown yet machine still runs. (Inspect house breaker/fuse panel for tripped breaker or blown fuse)
2. Often a dryer heating element burns out, but doesn't trip the circuit breaker or blow a fuse. The heating element is simply a long coil of special wire. We need to replace it - electric heating elements aren't repairable.
3. Make sure temperature selection is fully selected.
4. On many dryers, there's a thermal fuse mounted to the exhaust duct inside the back cover panel. If the fuse has blown, we need to replace it.
5. A common problem is for the main wiring connection from the house, at the dryer, to burn and break its connection. Because the dryer can still tumble with partial power, the connection may be only partially defective. We may need to replace both the power cord to the dryer and the terminal block inside the dryer that the wire is attached to.

Gas models:

1. Make sure temperature selection is fully selected.
2. Check for pilot flame
3. On electronic ignition models the problem could be with the igniter, thermostat, temperature selector switch or timer.
4. One of the following parts may not work properly: glow bar ... coil on the gas valve ... gas valve ... thermostats ... motor heat switch... timer... selector switch ... sensor ...

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Clothes take to long to dry:

It normally takes about 45 minutes for a dryer to dry a full load.

         Both Electric and Gas models:

1. Air circulation is the main function of a dryer. Is the lint filter clean?
2. Is the machine over loaded? (Clothes must be able to tumble)
3. Frequently there's an obstruction in the vent duct from the dryer to the outside of the house. For the dryer to heat properly, the duct must be clean and clear of lint or any other substance.
4. Turn the dryer on and go outside to where the pipe ends. You should feel a fairly strong air flow. If the end of the pipe has a screen over it make sure it is not plugged with lint. If the machine is vented with a flexible vent hose assure that it has not collapsed or is being kinked anywhere. These hoses sometimes can fill up with water or lint. If possible remove and clean or replace hose if required.
5. The shorter the vent duct the better....
6. Another possibility, sometimes the problem resides with the WASHER. If the clothes are not getting fully spun out in the washer they will definitely take longer to dry in the dryer.

           Gas models:

1. Gas / Air mixture incorrect. (Flame to cool) If your machine is equipped with a flame inspection door, check the flame color. It should be predominantly blue excessive yellow generally indicates adjustment is required.
2. Sometimes this problem is caused by a failing or intermittent Gas Valve, it will heat on the first couple of "heat on" cycles then fails to come on later.

         Electric models:

• Your dryer's heating element may be partially burned out. If it is, your dryer still heats, but at such a low temperature that it takes three or four times as long to dry the clothes. If the element is partially burned out, we need to replace it.

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It won't tumble:

1. Dryers have a drive belt that turns the clothes drum. If the belt breaks, the drum stops rotating. Then we need to replace the belt, and often the idler pulley, because the pulley tends to wear out at the same time.
2. If the dryer motor only hums when you press the Start button, the motor may be burned out. We need to replace the motor.
3. There may be a problem with the idler pulley or the clothes drum. Try to rotate the drum by hand. If it is very difficult to move, we need to replace the idler pulleys.
4. If the motor hums but doesn't rotate on its own - we usually need to replace the motor or the motor start capacitor.
5. Your dryer can't operate at all if the door switch is defective. It's inside the dryer main housing near the doorframe. If it's defective, we need to replace it.

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Cycling thermostat:

• One of the thermostats that control the temperature in your dryer may break and cause the dryer to heat poorly. If so, we need to replace it.

It overheats:

• Usually when an electric dryer overheats it's because of a defective cycling thermostat or a clogged vent system. Clean any lint from the internal and external ductwork, and/or replace the cycling thermostat.

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Please read our legal Disclaimer first!!!

Gas burner heating system:

Eletric ignitor for Gas burners:

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