Dryer gets way too hot

[sherrys55caddy]

Got a early 1960s GE v-12 dryer and it gets so hot it burnt a sock to the drum.
Can someone tell me what is wrong? Is there a secret solution to get whats left of the burnt sock off the drum its hard as a rock!

THANKS!!!!

~Sherry

 

[pturo]

There should be a high limit switch near the heating element and near the drum, they look like discs. Usually when they blow, you get nothing, no heat. Someone may have bypassed them and wired direct. The high limit near the element is usually rated at 220 degrees, the drum high limit or cycling is usually about 160 degrees or may have a two way that goes down to 140 degrees for delicate, depending on your dryer. Best thing to do is to unplug it, and test these connections for continuity using a voltmeter. Also possible that one of the limit switches is stuck open, sounds like the high limit to me, in which case you would get contiunity. Better to replace all limit switches at once, not really expensive and a one screwdriver job.

Phil

 

[pturo]

I would probably use some wd 40 spray on the area and a razor scraper. The WD will lube in so you wont scratch what is probably porcelin. Make sure you clean up the area good, you dont want traces of wd 40 spray in there, use a paper towel with some alcohol on it.(not paint solvent).

 

[sherrys55caddy]

Thanks everyone for all the info I will take the advice and try it!!!!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Have you checked the vent to make sure that the air flow through the dryer is as strong as it should be? A quick check can be made with the air fluff cycle. With the door open and the lint screen removed, hold in the door switch and press the start switch. Put your hand a little way into the lint filter opening and see if you feel a pretty good amount of air being pulled past your hand and into the fan.

We see many GE and Westinghouse dryers with stuff melted onto the back of the drum. Overloading can cause this when the load gets pressed back against the hot surface where the heat is coming in and the air flow toward the front of the drum is obstructed by the large load. Cottons usually scorch; synthetics will melt. The V-12 dryer was GE's standard size. They had the larger 30" dryer and then offered the 27" dryer with the heater in a can beneath the drum which allowed the back of the drum to be extended for larger capacity, but the design still had the heat coming in through the back of the drum and being pulled out at the front so large loads could still cause the same damage as you have reported.