Any dryer experts out there?

[doxdogy]

Our dryer isn't working at full capacity. The heating element is coming working. If you open the door and hold down the button you can see that element is heating up. It seems that the air is not being forced into the dryer. I am assuming that there should be a fan that is forcing the hot air into the dryer. So, what should DH look for to try and fix it himself?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Most likely a belt.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/dryer.htm

 

[want2retire]

I'm not a dryer expert, but perhaps this will help. We were having problems with our dryer recently. Clothes were taking a very long time to dry. As one of the heating elements had been replaced within the last six months, we felt the other element probably needed to be replaced. However, we were uneasy about putting any more money into this dryer due to its age and heavy usage--really needed a good, dependable dryer. We checked Sears and then the Maytag dealership. The Sears salesman was personable and "soft sell". We liked that. But, I wanted to check the prices at the Maytag store. Salesman there was just as nice and low key, but asked what kind of problems we were having with our current dryer so we told him. He advised us to go home and clean the lint out of the vent hose from the back of the dryer to the outside (obviously ours vents straight outside and it is the flexible alumninum king). We took his suggestiona and disconnected it. From the outside, my son reached his hand in and pulled out a HUGE "wad" of lint--at least 4 inches thick and then we took our leaf blower and inserted it into the hose from the inside and blew the rest of the lint through the hose to the outside. Also, we cleaned out the rest of the lint as best we could from underneath/inside the door and underneath the basket. We have a GE dryer and fairly easy to do. The dryer now works like a dream. Absolutely no problems with it and all because of the kindness and knowledge of the Maytage salesperson. Believe me, when it is time to buy the next dryer, that's where we'll go! Hope your problem is as easily and inexpensively solved. Good luck.

 

[Magickndm]

You probably avoided a fire too want2retire, that happens more than people realize.

 

[TinkerPixie]

Check your PM box....

 

[MarkRG]

Actually, someone beat me to this one, I was going to say you need to clean the vent. Replace the hose if it is kinked in any way as well. This is a fire hazard that most people don't realize. That little screen doesn't trap anywhere near everything.

Most dryers use the belt to turn the basket, the fan is usually directly connected to the motor, and if it isn't any longer, it's not that very fixable.

Being that it is an electric dryer, a good test is to remove the vent hose copletely and run it. If it works, your vent needs help. DO NOT DO THIS with a gas dryer! Gas dryers should automatically have the vents cleaned every 6 months, as lint there is a serious and immediate fire hazard!