Electric dryer issues

[stranger706]

So we have a 2 year old electric GE dryer. Nothing fancy, just the basic front load white dryer. It has a heat-setting knob and the big main cycle select knob. Lately the dryer has been taking 2 cycles to dry the load. I open the door mid-cycle and there is (what seems like to me) plenty of heat. So I went outside and verified the flow of air coming out of the dryer vent. It seems normal. So there is plenty of heat and good airflow. Most of the time we use the automatic cycle. I thought maybe the automatic part went bad and was stopping the dryer too early. I tried the 60 minute manual mode and it took 2 cycles of that too. My wife wants to get a new dryer. I wouldn't mind buying one but I have no idea what is wrong with the one we have. It could be a $5 part. I'm stumped. I don't have any experience repairing washers or dryers.

Thank you for any advice.

 

[duaneb9729]

check the dryer vent pipe for blockage i suspect thats your problem

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Have you cleaned the tubing running out of the back of the dryer all the way out to the outside vent? Even if air coming out feels normal,if it starts getting clogged it may effect the drying time. I always install metal tubing to reduce this problem.

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

Have you pulled the front off of it and checked the exhaust hose on the inside, just after the vent?

The reason I ask is that last weekend I had to pull the drum out of my dryer to replace the rear drum bearing and it was unbelievable how much lint buildup was inside of it. It was like three inches thick just inside the filter trap and in the first foot or so of exhaust hose. I really expected better of a 3-year old dryer, as we've always been good about cleaning the filter and use a vent brush on it. Anyway, I got it all back together again and it now dries our clothes much faster...which is funny, as I didn't think there was a problem.

Might be worth a try for you, as it's free...not to mention, you just might be preventing a future dryer fire (something I never gave a thought to before I cleaned mine).

 

[jstutz]

I would look for air blockage. There is not much too dryers. It makes heat and blows air thru it. If it is lacking performance and you can feel the heat inside, I would look for blockages somewhere. Most common places are after the internal trap ( the one you clean all the time) and the tubing after the dryer, look for bends and 90 degree angles. Also insure your washer is running its spin cycle correctly and the cloths arent saturated when they go in the dryer. Good luck.

 

[PandaBear]

Could be an overheated motor. Happened to me last time when I was looking all over the place and finally found out about it. The replacement motor I originally installed lasted only 1 year for apartment use, but the original that came with the dryer lasted 15 years.

If you buy any replacement parts, make sure it is OEM or reputable brand like FSP.

 

[jstutz]

thats a good point i forgot to mention is too make sure the drum is spinning.

 

[Papa Bear]

I bet 1 element isn't working...

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: Mustang_Cougar
Have you pulled the front off of it and checked the exhaust hose on the inside, just after the vent?

The reason I ask is that last weekend I had to pull the drum out of my dryer to replace the rear drum bearing and it was unbelievable how much lint buildup was inside of it. It was like three inches thick just inside the filter trap and in the first foot or so of exhaust hose. I really expected better of a 3-year old dryer, as we've always been good about cleaning the filter and use a vent brush on it. Anyway, I got it all back together again and it now dries our clothes much faster...which is funny, as I didn't think there was a problem.

Might be worth a try for you, as it's free...not to mention, you just might be preventing a future dryer fire (something I never gave a thought to before I cleaned mine).



I was told by an appliance repair shop to do this and blow it out with a leaf blower. Might work on the vent hose as well.

 

[Dinosaur]

what about the washer? are the clothes maybe going into the dryer wetter than before? Our Maytag Neptune washer removes so much water from the clothes that the drying time is reduced by more then half compared to the old top loader. If your washeris getting old and is not "spinning out" as much of the water, the drying time will necessarily increase.