Fixed my clothes dryer today

[Pete]

Did a complete tune up and cleaning. I have a GE and boy was it easy after watching this. I don't think I'll ever need a new one. Please don't forget the great how-to videos out there before you start any project.

YouTube - Working on a GE Dryer pt.1

 

[Telly]

I always like hearing successful DIY stories

DIY has been my life, and it allowed me to early E-R quite unexpectedly. I have passed the DIY basic skills and mindset on to the next generation... I feel real good about that!

I also like to hear stories of repairs, installations etc. that people paid somebody to do, if they mention the dollar amounts, because I am far removed from what it costs to have someone do things, and would like to know.

I'm also considering buying a self-surgery kit. The kit is available in: Hard rubber, glass, or obsidian...

 

[ronin]

Dryers are pretty simple to work on, usually, especially if you have 3 hands and steel mesh skin. The sheet metal sharpeners are very good at their job.

I've kept my 30 yr old Maytag gas dryer chugging along with minimally invasive procedures a couple of times. Really a new belt, occasional idler pulley, maybe a set of rollers and a glow plug igniter (gas heater) are about it.

Last problem was extra-long drying cycles, slightly different sound. Turned out that the squirrel cage blower had given way around the motor shaft and was spinning at low rpms relative to the motor (just enough friction left to spin the blower, but not enough oomp to circulate the hot air). Could tell the flame looked backed up but couldn't find a restriction and the dang blower was spinning enough to make it look OK at a casual glance. Took it apart and got a visual on the problem, and it was a simple fix.

 

[LOL!]

I changed out the motor in our dryer a few years ago. I found all the fabric softening patina from dryer sheets on all the internal parts to be quite amazing.

 

[Pete]

I always like hearing successful DIY stories

DIY has been my life, and it allowed me to early E-R quite unexpectedly. I have passed the DIY basic skills and mindset on to the next generation... I feel real good about that!

I also like to hear stories of repairs, installations etc. that people paid somebody to do, if they mention the dollar amounts, because I am far removed from what it costs to have someone do things, and would like to know.

I'm also considering buying a self-surgery kit. The kit is available in: Hard rubber, glass, or obsidian...

Exactly how I feel except I'm gonna try drilling my teeth first before I try surgery.

 

[W2R]

I changed out the motor in our dryer a few years ago. I found all the fabric softening patina from dryer sheets on all the internal parts to be quite amazing.

Aha! Another reason not to use dryer sheets.

I have never had a dryer break, but then I move so much that usually I haven't had one for very long. My present GE gas dryer is about nine years old, which is probably the longest I have ever had a dryer, and has never broken.

 

[Zathras]

You guys use dryers?!?

 

[freebird5825]

Nice job!

I will tackle a lawnmower, a chainsaw, a lawn tractor, and even a weedwacker repair, but I draw the line at washers and dryers.

They are not logical, Captain.

 

[NW-Bound]

Did a complete tune up and cleaning...

We are still using the 30-yr old Kenmore dryer that we bought when we got married in 1980.

I have never done any tune up. If it works, leave it alone. Oh yeah, I had to change the belt once or twice, and something else that I have forgotten over the years. No How-To videos in those days either.

 

[travelover]

You guys use dryers?!?

Thanks for filling in for Khan.

 

[GregLee]

I was rather pleased with myself for fixing our last dryer twice, though I wouldn't tackle something as complicated as replacing a belt. Once, ours got clogged with sand (we're near a beach), and when I'd brushed that out, it started right up again. Then the next time it stopped, I sprayed on some WD-40, and that worked fine. But last Fall, it stopped heating up, so we bought a new one.

 

[NW-Bound]

...last Fall, it stopped heating up, so we bought a new one.

Yeah, that reminded me that I replaced the heating element in mine a few years ago.

 

[jazz4cash]

Actually had a similar experience this weekend. The web is a fabulous resource for DIY. I have not found an ideal site for diagnostics, but I had ruled out everything except the motor on our 22 yo Kenmore gas dryer. Checking prices and inventory on the web was a snap. I found a great site called www.repairclinic.com with professional looking how-to videos which are also on youtube. When I ran into a snag, I googled "whirlpool blower wheel" and found a workaround. I reordered the motor and the additonal part I needed Sunday night and it was delivered UPS on Tuesday and I had it all done in a couple of hours.

 

[travelover]

Actually had a similar experience this weekend. The web is a fabulous resource for DIY. I have not found an ideal site for diagnostics, but I had ruled out everything except the motor on our 22 yo Kenmore gas dryer. Checking prices and inventory on the web was a snap. I found a great site called www.repairclinic.com with professional looking how-to videos which are also on youtube. When I ran into a snag, I googled "whirlpool blower wheel" and found a workaround. I reordered the motor and the additonal part I needed Sunday night and it was delivered UPS on Tuesday and I had it all done in a couple of hours.

Thanks for the link. This site is quite useful, as well. Repair techs seem to frequent their forum.

Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man: Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair Help for all Brands and Models!

 

[freebird5825]

Thanks for the link. This site is quite useful, as well. Repair techs seem to frequent their forum.

Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man: Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair Help for all Brands and Models!

I like this dude's attitude

United Samurai Beer Fund | Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man

 

[Pete]

You guys use dryers?!?

I would love to stop but I have no place to hang clothes. Too many trees in the back yard and neighbors in front who would complain.

 

[Pete]

I have never done any tune up. If it works, leave it alone.

I generally follow this rule too, but if a dryer gets clogged it might not be working at its best. It could also be a fire hazard. I opened mine up to repair a squeak and found a clump of lint blocking the tube just beyond the lint screen. I get much more air flow now.

 

[Nords]

I like this dude's attitude
United Samurai Beer Fund | Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Did I mention he's a Navy veteran?

I've saved thousands of dollars on that site. The last repair was an $8 relay in a $350 microwave oven that's part of a matched wall-oven set. The other handymen on the site walked me through the troubleshooting process to figure out the problem. I had to practically field-strip the microwave down to the chassis to find the part and replace it, but bringing that sucker back to life was worth the love offering and the beer-fund donation.

His best tip, though, was for electric dryers. He pointed out that when a dryer runs but does not heat, one cause may be a partially-tripped ganged circuit breaker. The breakers are supposed to trip together but don't always do so, and if only one leg trips then it's possible to have 120v going to the dryer motor without the 240v to the heater coil. The "fix" is to open and then re-shut the breaker.

Next project: fixing the ice-dispenser door on our Fridgezilla.

 

[ronin]

I would love to stop but I have no place to hang clothes. Too many trees in the back yard and neighbors in front who would complain.

For most of my clothes, I use a wooden rack in the spare room. Just open the window and put the rack nearby and its usually done by the next day (sooner when the Santanas are blowing). The rack sort of accordions closed for easy storage in a corner. Wife prefers the dryer.

 

[Free To Canoe]

Always looking for repair tips.
Coverted my dryer from gas to propane a couple of years ago. Then converted it back again when we converted the house over to natural gas.
I was surprised at the flimsy belt used to turn the drum.

Free to canoe

 

[jazz4cash]

Thanks for the link. This site is quite useful, as well. Repair techs seem to frequent their forum.

Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man: Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair Help for all Brands and Models!

When I googled "Whirlpool Blower Wheel Stuck" I ended up on the Samurai site and I learned that my situation required a destructive technique. The plastic piece that I destroyed was only $8 to replace on Ebay.

I still really need help with diagnostics, though.

 

[freebird5825]

I would love to stop but I have no place to hang clothes. Too many trees in the back yard and neighbors in front who would complain.

Not a problem....
Retractable clothesline from FAMOUS PLUMBING SUPPLY
or
Amazon.com: Hills Extenda 4 (formerly Quatro 4) Retractable Clothesline: Kitchen & Dining

I have a homemade version of the 4 line device directly over my washer and dryer. A few short pieces of 2"x4" nailed into the wall studs, some screw in J hooks plus smooth braided rope (for you landlubbers ), and voila - indoor drying lines (haaaar matey ).

I have a stronger longer clothesline in my family room downstairs for heavier items. One end is attached to the steel beam support thingie and the other to a heavy duty nail driven into one end of my downstairs fireplace mantle (untreated railroad tie). I roll it up over my fist and secure with a velcro strap when not in use.

 

[jazz4cash]

Thanks for that retractable clothesline link.
I've been looking for one of those for quite awhile. If they are like the ones I'm familiar with they won't hold up to heavy duty use, but the ladies in my house delicate items that are too delicate to machine dry. My daughters shrieked when I brought a pack of clothespins home and explained what they were.

 

[freebird5825]

Thanks for that retractable clothesline link.
I've been looking for one of those for quite awhile. If they are like the ones I'm familiar with they won't hold up to heavy duty use, but the ladies in my house delicate items that are too delicate to machine dry. My daughters shrieked when I brought a pack of clothespins home and explained what they were.

Here's all sorts...

Retractable Clothesline - Home & Garden - Compare Prices, Reviews and Buy at NexTag - Price - Review

 

[Nords]

My daughters shrieked when I brought a pack of clothespins home and explained what they were.

With "joy" or with "horror"?

My daughter has this skeptical eye-rolling look that makes me feel like I'm behind the display glass of a museum exhibit...