Can my Kenmore dryer be repaired?

[leetintary]

This dryer came with our 1965 house when we bought it six years ago and we’ve been using it ever since, but yesterday it stopped producing heat even though it spins without a problem. Can the heating element in it be replaced? I am outside of Portland, Oregon. Thank you!

 

[maytag85]

The heating element has to be strung through since the heating element(s) on these older Whirlpool and Kenmore dryers are completely different than the 1966 and later models.

I’d check all the thermostats as well since bad thermostats could be another contributor in not allowing it to heat.

 

[DADoES]

 
Element restring kits S/B / are available.  I've done that once on a modern GE, easy-enough procedure.  The restring is stretched (before starting so the coils are even) to match the length of the original.  Can't say about any issues matching wattage to an ancient Kenmore/WP.

 

[appnut]

This is a 1957 Kenmore dryer.

 

[turquoisedude]

Dang, I have the washer that matches this!!  

 

Lee, check the wiring as well -  specifically the connector block where the house supply line or power cord are connected to the dryer.   I've run across issues with connections that have come loose or worse, overheated and burnt, over time which has resulted in a no-heat drying issue.   

 

 

 

[maytag85]

This is what it should look like when you remove the rear panel. The dryer is this photo is RickR’s 1956 Whirlpool Imperial dryer he restored back in the mid 2000’s.

 

[rp2813]

I hope you can fix it.  Needless to say, no dryer you can buy today will last for 64 years.

 

[goatfarmer]

With enough time, patience, and money, anything can be repaired.

 

[leetintary]

The search for parts and the plan to service the 1957 dryer:

So, I downloaded the parts list for the dryer from the ephemera section (It's a Kenmore Model 110~5108710 and the "heat element assembly" is part S-7040, while the "fixed thermostat assembly" is 229567. I worked with Colin at W L May Company in Vancouver, Washington, and he helped me find some modern equivalents as 229567 for the thermostat and 237750, 297393 and 299852 for the heat element from sellers on Ebay, but I'm not sure if they will fit or not. This will be my first time working on a dryer and my plan is to first shot vac out the exhaust vent as I was told that it might have caused the dryer to run hot and the thermostat to blow in the first place. Then, I plan to purchase a multimeter so that I can test for continuity with the thermostat and the heating element to try to troubleshoot what went wrong. Is this a good preliminary plan? Thank you!

 

[rp2813]

Lee, it sounds to me like you're on the right track. 

 

If you do need to replace the element, just make sure the eBay seller accepts returns in case it doesn't match up. 

 

[bradfordwhite]

When I first started collecting and fixing them to re-sell (in 1982), I picked up a gas version of this dryer from a dealers trade-ins.
It was all sooted up from natural gas, as always happens with gas appliances.
You're lucky this is electric. It looks considerably cleaner.

 

[leetintary]

Best plan for repairing heating element in 1957 Kenmore

I finally started work on my 1957 Kenmore dryer that had no heat and there was nothing blocking the exhaust. I got the back off and got the wires disconnected from the thermostat to run the continuity test and it checked out. After taking the wires off of the heating element I tried the continuity there and got no reading. After I took it off and flipped it over I found that the coil was broken and at least two of the ceramic pieces had broken. Does anyone think I can substitute a replacement element into the housing or will I need to restring the coil instead? Also, with the two broken ceramic pieces is it dangerous to restring without replacing the entire element? Thanks for the experience and advice.

 

[bradfordwhite]

If you can find an element that will fit without touching any part of the wiring or blocking the air flow it will be easier. Because of the age, finding a kit and parts might prove difficult.

 

[maytag85]

Interestingly enough, my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial dryer uses a similar style of heating element in it.

 

[combo52]

1957 KM Dryer Heating Element

It is better to replace the complete element assembly [ note the one pictured in reply #12 is NOT the correct element for your dryer ]

 

If you can't find the correct element Email me and I can sell you a new one.

 

John L.