jgrey
Member
Hi, I've got a vintage Frigidaire DCIF-64 dryer that I'm trying to get working. It runs and gets warm but doesn't dry my clothes. Any ideas of what the problem might be?
Frigidaire DCIF-64
- Thread starter jgrey
- Start date
Help Support :
I assume this is a vented dryer. Have you checked air flow and the temp out the vent? Also does the drum turn? Can you post photos please?
Thanks!
Thanks!
^^what he said^^
steved
Well-known member
DCI"F"
The "F" in the model number indicates a Filtrator dryer that is vent-free.
I imagine the internals could be clogged with lint and such. PhilR would know better.
The "F" in the model number indicates a Filtrator dryer that is vent-free.
I imagine the internals could be clogged with lint and such. PhilR would know better.
jgrey
Member
Yea there's no vent, just a collection pan of sorts in the bottom and a small hose coming out the back of the dryer (not sure where that's supposed to go, a drain maybe?). I'll check the internals for lint and such when I get home.
The drum does turn and it gets warm. It's either just not heating up enough or it's not pulling air out of the drum properly.
Thanks.
The drum does turn and it gets warm. It's either just not heating up enough or it's not pulling air out of the drum properly.
Thanks.
It does not pull air out of the drum. It dries in a closed system where the same air is recirculated, heated, cooled (which causes it to give up some moisture) and reheated. Yours has a complicated air-cooled condenser and the interior air is forced through it by a fan, all of which is prone to clogging so there is going need to be a good deal of taking apart and cleaning to ever get it to work. Even when it works properly, it is a slow dryer.
Could also be a bad connection - the 240v leg may not be making proper contact with the heating element. Do you notice any odd smell or sizzling noises that could indicate a loose wire somewhere?
Also, had a problem like this years and years ago that caused me to scrap a perfectly good vintage Kenmore dryer - it turned out to be a bad circuit breaker!
Also, had a problem like this years and years ago that caused me to scrap a perfectly good vintage Kenmore dryer - it turned out to be a bad circuit breaker!
1964 FD Vent Free Dryer
First thing to check is the blower belt for the belt driven blower, your dryer has two blowers, one attached to the front of the motor and one driven off the back of the motor by a belt.
Other than that if it is heating up it may need a good cleaning, the easiest thing to clean is the removable heat exchanger behind the removable front panel below the loading door. Be sure all the 1/2 " tubes are completely clear and the fined section as well, you can use an air hose and finish with hot water.
First thing to check is the blower belt for the belt driven blower, your dryer has two blowers, one attached to the front of the motor and one driven off the back of the motor by a belt.
Other than that if it is heating up it may need a good cleaning, the easiest thing to clean is the removable heat exchanger behind the removable front panel below the loading door. Be sure all the 1/2 " tubes are completely clear and the fined section as well, you can use an air hose and finish with hot water.
Location?
I'm in Pittsburgh this weekend and will gladly stop by to check it out of you're nearby.
I'm in Pittsburgh this weekend and will gladly stop by to check it out of you're nearby.
variflexpghpa
Well-known member
Service Call
Hey Rich
Waaaaaay long time since we crossed paths. If this dryer is in the area, I'd
enjoy going along on that service call. My 65 is resting quietly in storage.
Hey Rich
Waaaaaay long time since we crossed paths. If this dryer is in the area, I'd
enjoy going along on that service call. My 65 is resting quietly in storage.
jgrey
Member
I appreciate the offer. I'm on the other side of the state though, in the Poconos. I'll have time this weekend to tear it open and give it a good cleaning; hopefully that will fix it.
jgrey
Member
Well, I opened the dryer up yesterday and found a significant amount of lint and several mouse nests creating a number of blockages. After cleaning everything out it still isn't really drying anything and is only getting slightly warm; nowhere near hot enough. There is also a bit of a musty smell when it's running.
jgrey
Member
Is it possible that trying to run it with those blockages caused the thermal fuse to blow?
According to my Frigidaire service manual
Cannot Obtain Desired Temperature:
Incorrect thermostat setting. Remedy - Adjust or Replace thermostat
Drying Time Too Long -
Lint obstructing exhaust holes in Filtrator base. Remedy: Clean lint from Filtrator base holes.
lint obstructing Filtrator holes. Remedy: Clean lint from Filtrator holes.
Air leaks at Filtrator seal and or door seal. Remedy: Check seals; adjust or replace as necessary.
As another poster stated previously it cannot be over stressed that these Filtrator dryers need to be kept quite clean inside. Don't know how "deep" your previous cleaning (and rodent nest removal) went, but sometimes only a good tear down will do. While in there make sure that the thermostat bulb/sensor is clean and not covered in lint.
Sadly musty smells can came from any condenser dryer due to the build up of moisture in an enclosed warm environment. You may want to wash the Filtrator parts (if possible) in a mild disinfectant solution and or carefully wipe down interior parts as well to get at source of the whiff. If you've had mice living inside that dryer then most certainly they left a bit of themselves behind (droppings and or urine), which will also give off a smell when dryer heats up.
You might want to purchase/download a copy of service manual from this site. There you will find troubleshooting, repair and other useful information for your dryer.
Cannot Obtain Desired Temperature:
Incorrect thermostat setting. Remedy - Adjust or Replace thermostat
Drying Time Too Long -
Lint obstructing exhaust holes in Filtrator base. Remedy: Clean lint from Filtrator base holes.
lint obstructing Filtrator holes. Remedy: Clean lint from Filtrator holes.
Air leaks at Filtrator seal and or door seal. Remedy: Check seals; adjust or replace as necessary.
As another poster stated previously it cannot be over stressed that these Filtrator dryers need to be kept quite clean inside. Don't know how "deep" your previous cleaning (and rodent nest removal) went, but sometimes only a good tear down will do. While in there make sure that the thermostat bulb/sensor is clean and not covered in lint.
Sadly musty smells can came from any condenser dryer due to the build up of moisture in an enclosed warm environment. You may want to wash the Filtrator parts (if possible) in a mild disinfectant solution and or carefully wipe down interior parts as well to get at source of the whiff. If you've had mice living inside that dryer then most certainly they left a bit of themselves behind (droppings and or urine), which will also give off a smell when dryer heats up.
You might want to purchase/download a copy of service manual from this site. There you will find troubleshooting, repair and other useful information for your dryer.
1964 FD Vent Free Dryer
Hi Jacob, tell what you found, are both blowers running? Rear blower belt good? You should feel some air blowing out the rear top openings in the black rear panel.
Try running the dryer with the door open, you should feel some suction through the holes below the lint filter area. If you put your hand toward the top rear [ inside ] of the drum you should feel some good heat within a minute, if not check the amp draw while the machine is running [ should be around 20 amps on both hot lines.
If amp draw is way low you either have a bad heater element or the dryer is not connected to the power source properly.
There is no thermal fuse in this dryer.
Very little of the information in replay #13 is useful, I have had two of these FD no vent dryers for over 25 years, one in each house. They do not need much routine cleaning and neither has ever developed any musty smells. Your dryer may need repairs and cleaning however.
Hi Jacob, tell what you found, are both blowers running? Rear blower belt good? You should feel some air blowing out the rear top openings in the black rear panel.
Try running the dryer with the door open, you should feel some suction through the holes below the lint filter area. If you put your hand toward the top rear [ inside ] of the drum you should feel some good heat within a minute, if not check the amp draw while the machine is running [ should be around 20 amps on both hot lines.
If amp draw is way low you either have a bad heater element or the dryer is not connected to the power source properly.
There is no thermal fuse in this dryer.
Very little of the information in replay #13 is useful, I have had two of these FD no vent dryers for over 25 years, one in each house. They do not need much routine cleaning and neither has ever developed any musty smells. Your dryer may need repairs and cleaning however.
jgrey
Member
Thanks for the replies. Both blowers are running. The rear blower belt was actually broken but I've got some heavy duty rubber bands in place that are working fine for the time being.
There was a considerable amount of lint build up on the inlet side of the condenser as well as inside the filtrator tubes. I gave it a thorough cleaning with some disinfectant and large pipe cleaner. The musty smell has gone away now that I removed all of the caked on lint.
I've checked conductivity across the temp safety switches and both of them seem fine.
There is a small bulb next to the interior light, any idea what that is?
After work tonight I'll check for heat inside the drum and the amp draw as well as air pulling through the lint filter holes. I'm guessing that's working though as I do see a slight bit of new lint & dog hair.
Btw I wasn't able to find a manual for the '64 model; '60 was the latest I could find and there appears to be quite a few differences between the model years.
There was a considerable amount of lint build up on the inlet side of the condenser as well as inside the filtrator tubes. I gave it a thorough cleaning with some disinfectant and large pipe cleaner. The musty smell has gone away now that I removed all of the caked on lint.
I've checked conductivity across the temp safety switches and both of them seem fine.
There is a small bulb next to the interior light, any idea what that is?
After work tonight I'll check for heat inside the drum and the amp draw as well as air pulling through the lint filter holes. I'm guessing that's working though as I do see a slight bit of new lint & dog hair.
Btw I wasn't able to find a manual for the '64 model; '60 was the latest I could find and there appears to be quite a few differences between the model years.
small bulb next to the interior light
That's a germicidal lamp (an ozone lamp). You can still find these, but in a pinch, you can sub an outdoor Christmas light bulb - the C9 base ones.
That's a germicidal lamp (an ozone lamp). You can still find these, but in a pinch, you can sub an outdoor Christmas light bulb - the C9 base ones.
1964 FD Vent Free Dryer
Some good progress, Yes the 1952-60 FD vent-free dryers are completely different machines, 1961-68 are all about the same, repair manuals are out there.
If the heater is working properly it should dry clothing.
Keep in mind these dryers are 50% slower at drying clothing and use 25% more total power than regular vented electric dryers.
Let us know how it checks out.
Some good progress, Yes the 1952-60 FD vent-free dryers are completely different machines, 1961-68 are all about the same, repair manuals are out there.
If the heater is working properly it should dry clothing.
Keep in mind these dryers are 50% slower at drying clothing and use 25% more total power than regular vented electric dryers.
Let us know how it checks out.
jgrey
Member
Well I'm fairly certain I've got it narrowed down to the heating element. The measured power draw while it's running looks fine and continuity across all of the components looks good. But there's definitely no noticeable heat at the back of the drum while it's running.
Now the challenge comes in finding a replacement. Does it need to be an exact match or could a similar looking modern element be hooked up in it's place?
Now the challenge comes in finding a replacement. Does it need to be an exact match or could a similar looking modern element be hooked up in it's place?
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