Whirlpool Electric Dryer Problem

[Hoopster]

Hello,



I have an electric dryer that is about 7 years old. I'm a beginner and
no nothing about repairs or problems, but I did a little research
online.


Here is the problem:


1. Dryer starts and runs fine for 15 minutes then shuts down (probably
a safety mechanism)..

2. If I wait 30-60 minutes the dryer will startup on it's own again
(if it still had time left for drying)

3. There is an electrical/rubber burning type smell coming from the
dryer.


Here is what's been done:

I had a friend take the dryer apart and oil the motor parts that
needed it. This worked for about 1 month and now it's doing the same
thing. He also cleaned out the lint in the dryer.


Here's what I think is the problem and I just want some confirmation:


The dryer motor is heating up because the bearings are bad. This
caused the safety to kick in and the machine to stop. Once the motor
cools down, it will then restart and continue heating. It appears to
be a bad motor that needs to be replaced. The motor cost $100.00 - the
friend will install it for $20.00 and the dryer cost $350.00 brand
new.



Two Questions:


Does it sound like the motor?


Should I repair or just replace the dryer (I don't have a lot of money
but also do not want to repair it again in another 6 months because of
a another problem)



Any help would be appreciated.



Thanks,


Hoopster

 

[Christian Treldal]

Den Tue, 12 Jul 2005 19:03:52 -0700. skrev Hoopster:

Hi

Here is the problem:


1. Dryer starts and runs fine for 15 minutes then shuts down (probably
a safety mechanism)..

Perhaps a thermal fuse.

2. If I wait 30-60 minutes the dryer will startup on it's own again
(if it still had time left for drying)

The thermal fuse had cooled down.

3. There is an electrical/rubber burning type smell coming from the
dryer.

Indicates that heater element is ok.

Does it sound like the motor?

Not nessecarily. Are you able to spin the motor by hand? If yes it's
likely to be ok.

Should I repair or just replace the dryer (I don't have a lot of money
but also do not want to repair it again in another 6 months because of a
another problem)

My bet is on restricted airflow. Are you 200% shure that all filters are
ok?

What happens if you tests it without filters?

Any sharp bends to airhoses? Any birds nest in the air outlet?

How is the fan driven? A loose fan belt? How are the bearings in the fan?

Any help would be appreciated.

Happy hunting.

 

[Bob Shuman]

Make sure you fully clean out the exhaust vent. This includes the chambers
inside the dryer as this is where lint will accumulate. On most Whirlpool
dryers, you can pop off the front panel at the bottom and remove some screws
to open up the entire vent tube. Make sure it is clean in the dryer from
the lint filter to the exhaust pipe. Also make sure the vent tube and any
vent cover in your home is clear and free of sharp bends. This sounds like
a venting issue and the dryer is overheating.

Bob

 

[clfe]

Den Tue, 12 Jul 2005 19:03:52 -0700. skrev Hoopster:

Hi


Perhaps a thermal fuse.



The thermal fuse had cooled down.


Indicates that heater element is ok.



Not nessecarily. Are you able to spin the motor by hand? If yes it's
likely to be ok.



My bet is on restricted airflow. Are you 200% shure that all filters are
ok?

What happens if you tests it without filters?

Any sharp bends to airhoses? Any birds nest in the air outlet?

How is the fan driven? A loose fan belt? How are the bearings in the fan?




Happy hunting.

Just a thought.... when the dryer shuts down, are you doing anything like
unplugging it for cool down, readjusting the timer or anything?
I'm wondering "IF" maybe there may be a soft spot in the timer to cause it
to shut down, once the timer elapses past that spot, it allows the dryer to
come back to life. I've heard of some weird things with timers in the past.

clf

 

[Hoopster]

My bet is on restricted airflow. Are you 200% shure that all filters are
ok?

What happens if you tests it without filters?

Any sharp bends to airhoses? Any birds nest in the air outlet?

How is the fan driven? A loose fan belt? How are the bearings in the fan?

Hello - new problem... The filters and air outlet are fine. The dryer
stopped in the middle of drying. I then pushed the start button and
just heard a humming sound. Does that sound like the motor?

If it is the motor - can a friend with average dryer knowledge easily
repair it? If so, would it be safe to run if he didn't put the right
wires back on the new motor?

 

[James Sweet]

Hello - new problem... The filters and air outlet are fine. The dryer
stopped in the middle of drying. I then pushed the start button and
just heard a humming sound. Does that sound like the motor?

If it is the motor - can a friend with average dryer knowledge easily
repair it? If so, would it be safe to run if he didn't put the right
wires back on the new motor?

In my experience the motors very rarely fail, though you could remove it and
spin it by hand to see if the bearings are ok. If it has a resettable
thermal protector, monitor voltage across that when it shuts down and see if
it's because that's opened.

 

[clfe]

Hello - new problem... The filters and air outlet are fine. The dryer
stopped in the middle of drying. I then pushed the start button and
just heard a humming sound. Does that sound like the motor?

If it is the motor - can a friend with average dryer knowledge easily
repair it? If so, would it be safe to run if he didn't put the right
wires back on the new motor?

Are you sure the pigtail connections are tight in the back of the dryer? On
my unit, each is held in with a hex screw. They've worked loose after a long
while. An intermittent connection on one, would do it. The "hum" could have
been the timer or the motor. Try adjusting the timer switch to see if it
makes any difference when the machine stops.