6 replies to this topic

[anwar]

I'm wondering If anyone can help me find out what's wrong with my dryer.

It's a whirlpool duet (#8541835).  It's only 1.5 years old.  My wife noticed a strong

smell when she used it last time.  It smells like something is burning.  I disconnected it from the wall and ran it again.  It doesn't smell when I run it on "air only".  When we put it on heat then the smell comes.  It's quite strong.  I did find some lint in the duct that I cleaned.

 

Any ideas?

thanks...Anwar

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Chunk of lint might have blown onto the heating element and burned...assuming this is an electric dryer. 

If electric, I'd open it up and check for burnt wires around the heating element terminals.

Gas dryer?  Different ball game. 

[anwar]

It's an electric dryer.  I will open it up and take a look at the wires.

thanks...Anwar

[anwar]

Hello

 

I opened it up and looked at the wires in the control assembly (the assembly on the side of the dryer).  I found some dust and fuzz but nothing that looked like it has burned.  I had a hard time opening the front control assembly so I couldn't see any of the electronics there. 

Any further suggestions?

thanks....Anwar

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

It's possible it was just a dust ball burning on the element. 

Or, could be something is horribly wrong. 

The control panel is a little tricky to get off.  You have to remove the whole top panel.  Some basic disassembly instructions and illsutrations here.  Get someone to help you hold things because the control panel can be awkward to handle if you're not used to it-- and that's a high dollar item you don't want slipping out of your hands! 

[anwar]

Last night I decided to give it my last shot before calling in the pros.  I opened the back panel and looked around.  I couldn't see any burned wires.  There was quite a bit of lint which I cleaned up.  After I opened the front panel I could finally see inside the tube that has the heating coil.  There I found what looked to be burned lint in the bottom.  So I cleaned it all up with a vaccuum and decided to give it a try.......and yes that was it .  Looks like lint got on the coil and started burning.  I put the dryer together and it worked like a charm...no smell hurray!!!

thanks very much for your help...  :)

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

Hey, thanks for the followup! 

If you're getting lint balls on the heating element like that, you need to analyze your dryer vent.