Inconsistent Air Flow from Dryer - Kenmore 417.8110003

[Brewmaster210]

I was given a kenmore Elite dryer, the newer glass-door style. They told me that it doesnt dry as well as it used to. I hooked it up, threw some wet clothes in, and turned it on. I noticed that the airflow output out the back vent is not consistent. Its always blowing air out, but it sort of pulsates. Not in a pattern or anything. Most of the time it seems to be blowing full strength, but the airflow will at times slow down for half a second. I actually noticed it first because i could hear the sound changing. But then i put my hand over the back vent (no vent hose attached yet) and I could feel it as well. Is this normal? If not, does anyone know what can cause this? I thought the blower wheel turns with the drum turning, so seems if the drum is turning at a constant speed, then the airflow would be constant too. I took the top off the dryer, and the drum seems to be spinning at a constant speed, or at least i cant visually tell if its not.

[Brewmaster210]

nevermind. I figured it out, and feel dumb. The clothes tumbling sometimes cover the air filter, which slows down airflow momentarily.

[16345Ed]

“Not drying as well as it used to“

Most often is a vent with restricted flow not an actual dryer problem.