Electric dryer not getting hot enough

[eurolarva]

We just moved into a house and my wife is complaining that the clothes are not getting dry. I have verified that plenty of air is going to outside vent. It will get pretty warm but not hot. I am thinking heater, thermostat or thermal fuse. If the thermal fuse goes out will any heat come out of the heating element? If I read it with an ohm meter will it be open like a blown fuse? Is there a way to test the heater before replacing it? The heater element is about 120 dollars and the thermal fuse and Thermostat are about 30 bucks each. The dryer is probably 13 years old. <br />Any advise would be appreceited.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

I had part of the heating element burn out in a dryer, which made it get only warm. It was pretty obvious when I opened it up where the element had burned through.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

If the thermal fuse goes out will any heat come out of the heating element?

No.<br />

If I read it with an ohm meter will it be open like a blown fuse?

Yes, it behaves exactly like an overload fuse.<br /><br />What brand/model do you have there?<br /><br />(You've tried obvious things like the lint screen right? Sorry, but I was told "but this dryer doesn't have a lint screen" )

 

[KRS]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

We moved into a new house, mine did the EXACT same thing. Turned out the outside plastic vent cover was inverted (concave in lieu of convex) and it was preventing the flap from fully opening (the flap was opening part way and hitting the screen). Pulled the screen off, reinstalled it the right way and it works like before... perfect.

 

[rattana]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

I am with ZmOz, some dryers have two elements. My guess is one element is burned open. Unplug it and open it up to see.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

The dryer is a performa made by Maytag. Thanks for the replies. Hopefully I can take it apart tonight and at least verify the fuse and the heat element is okay. I am getting plenty of blow outside on the vent but I will check that when I have it apart. Sears has a great site for blowups on parts however their prices are real high. I found an appliance parts store locally that can get me the parts for about half the price. <br /><br />Also the dryer does have a lint screen that is working.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

Dryers have a moisture sensor located usually around the door or on it if the element has no breaks check the sensor or your heat selection switch [ohem test] Lifting the top off [not completely block it don't want to break wires at control block] will get you to the element to test the three leads that look like half spark plugs DON"T FORGET TO UNPLUG IT 220 VOLTS EH !!!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

On a 13 year old setup, besides any electric problem with the dryer itself, I would check the vent hose and vent outlet cover to be sure there is no clog. If it has all flexable plastic hose, replace it with rigid aluminum. The rigid vent causes much less turbulance in the exhaust pipe for greater exhaust flow and drier cloths. Also note that flexable hose is the #1 cause of dryer fiers. Dryers dry cloths by moving the hot air out. If the hot air can not excape through the exhaust vent, the cloths just tumble in hot wet air. Waste of electricity. <br /><br />Might want to check the 240v outlet for power to both lines before opening up the dryer.

 

[ED21]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

I'll ditto checking the exhaust ducts for lint build up. <br />A fire hazard as well if it is.

 

[KRS]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

Mark42 is right! The motor that spins the drum is probably just 120v, but the heater elements are 240v, if it is wired wrong and only getting 120v, the elements won't heat fully (if at all???). I learned a new trick today!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

I pulled out all the duct work today and it looked like near the exit vent from the house was about 1/2 plugged. I replaced all the duct work and now the duct is almost too hot to touch. Thanks all. I did not take the dryer apart on the hopes that this is the fix. Seems to be working now.

 

[NBE]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

Be sure to make it a routine to thoroughly check and clean your vent system at least twice a year. As mentioned above, that is how many house fires get started, by faulty or plugged vents.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

If you used the rigid aluminum duct it does get hot! If you were using the timed cycle to dry clothes before, try the automatic setting (if the drier has one). The automatic settings work well when the vents are open and free of clogs. There is usually two metal contacts in the drum that can detect the moisture content of the cloths. When the drier is working effeciently this system does a good job of shutting the drier off when the cloths are actually dry and doesn't waste electricity by over drying like the timed cycle can if you set it too long.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

The clothes got dry a lot quicker this time. I used the rigid ducts for reasons previously stated. Seems to me if the insides are smooth there is less chance of lint getting trapped in there. Thanks for the reply Mark. I just read it to my wife and she will try the automatic dry cycles next time.

 

[jimr]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

we had the same problem when we moved into a duplex. We had bought a used washer and dryer and it about half worked......so my DW went and bought a new set did the same thing checked the vent and like yours about half plugged. cleaned it out and worked great.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Electric dryer not getting hot enough

The way I understand the scenero of why a plugged vent causes this problem is due to the drier getting too hot and opening the HI limit switch. It then shuts off power to the elements until the limit cools and resets. Thus taking longer to dry the clothes.<br /><br /> Some manufactures install moisture sensors to help double as a back up prior to the HI Limit tripping. It is when the HI limit fails is when fires occur.<br /><br />This is also a problem for furnaces with clogged filters and flues.<br /><br />Glad it was a simple fix for you eurolarva