GE Dryer 1DA needs new belt

[anytime121]

Hello,
My GE dryer 1DA 616V6 W needs a new belt but it too old to have a model or part number on the GE site.
GE staff are working from home and do not have access to microfiche files. Even if they did they still might not be able to find the model or part. Someone did try.
Appliance and auto parts stores have not been able to match the belt. Went to a boats and motors store, nope. Sent email to a place that sells v belts, no answer so far.
On this site there is an owner manual for a 617T but I do not know if that will tell me the belt I need or if it would be the same as my model.
The characters on the belt say K 523 B 984 P02 or PO2 (cannot tell if zero or O). GE person said that is the belt 'draw' or 'drawing' number? She said it did not relate to any GE part.

I think this is a V belt and that it is likely a type B. I do not know if I should measure the inside (about 27") or outside diameter. Both my reading and the GE person said that measuring would not lead to the right belt. I just have to get the right part.

I do not know how to solve this puzzle. The machine itself seems easy to replace the belt. Back panel comes off and the belt slides off (and I assume on) while turning a wheel.
Does anyone know how I can find a belt for this machine?
Thank you.

 

[combo52]

Belt For Older GE Dryer

That belt should be easy to get from an online source, measure the old belts length, it is 3/8" wide.

 

John L.

 

 

 

[swestoyz]

You've come to the right place!

WE12X31, translates over to a 3L290 belt.

Nice dryer!

Ben

 

[anytime121]

GE Dryer 1DA needs new belt


I can hardly believe this. Thank you so much.
Will order the part now.
More time was spent on finding a belt than in getting the back of the machine and the belt off and I have never done that before.

Amazing.
Karen

 

[pulltostart]

1961

A sweet dryer.  So good that you want to keep it running ILO buying something new.  Enjoy!!!

 

lawrence

 

[tomturbomatic]

Our neighbor with the red 30" GE Range had this dryer and the matching washer.

 

[sfh074]

Easy ....

This one.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[anytime121]

Belt on its way

I found this
https://www.amazon.com/PowerDrive-WE12X31-General-Electric-Replacement/dp/B00NUQULPU

My friend has prime so it is already on its way.

My cousin gave this dryer to me when I got my second apartment. She bought a new green set in the 70s. I am now retired.

I do not want a dryer with a computer board and sensors. Really unnecessary for a simple task and made to fail. I have stories to tell about new appliances with computer boards and sensors. (I do love induction for cooking though).

Pulltostart, people talk about efficiency and they mean present electrical use and water. No one considers the enormous cost of mining materials (metals, oil, ...), water wasted and polluted, energy consumed, air and land polluted in the production and then disposal of goods. Most people give up on appliances at 10 years or so.
The best any of us could do for the environment is to consume less.

Oh, I have a copper lined all craft water heater from the 60s.

When the belt arrives I will put it on, plug in the dryer and see what happens.

And then I will update this post. Thank you all for helping. I really wanted to see if I could do this.

K

 

[bajaespuma]

A DA 616V version 6 yet!

Does this dryer have an illuminated dial? I have the matching washer that I got from our Webmaster but it has a beautiful dark blue dial. If you ever plan to get rid of this dryer, please gimme a holler. GE dryers are fast and reliable.

 

[anytime121]

Bajaespuma, thanks . I do not recall that that the dial was illuminated. That makes me think there would be a bulb? I have not really looked at the header piece (do not know what to call things) but maybe I could.
Many times I dry things on a line and and then put them in the dryer for 10-15 minutes to soften and remove lint. Not a lot has been asked of it. It is not pristine though.

Well, I will always be able to find this post and be able to contact you.
If I replace this in the future it would be my preference to buy something used, not so old but without a computer board or sensor. Just go round and round with some heat to dry and remove lint.

Best, karen

 

[bajaespuma]

1961 was a really good vintage

Thanks for the response.

You can remove the front of the control panel by FIRST DISCONNECTING THE POWER! Then remove the three screws on the chrome strip on top of it. Gently pull it forward and down because the buttons will remain attached to it. You can get a good look at the innards this way if you're curious.

 

[pulltostart]

Ken,

The Sweets insert for 1961 shows the DA620 to be BOL, I would imagine the 616 to be lower than that in some way(s).  Definitely no illumination, inside or topside.

 

I believe an aunt of mine had the washer to match this one.  It had 3 water levels, 3 wash temps and 2 rinse temps.

 

lawrence

 

[anytime121]

A question

The belt will go on soon.
There is not socket for a bulb in the top piece.
A little green wire came loose at one end and I am not sure from where. It is not connected to electronics, I guess it is a ground?
My friend stuck it on a tab.
I wonder if it was supposed to go through a hole and onto the end piece of some wires.
The pics attached are in order of this description.
Any idea? It might not matter. My friend is likely right though, it seems the most obvious.
Thanks.

 

[combo52]

It is a ground wire, your friend put it in the correct place.

 

John

 

[anytime121]

It's running

It is plugged in and running, sounds normal.
For a couple of minutes it seemed to have a new belt aroma?
Now just normal heat and dryer aroma.
This is great.
Thank you all

 

[goatfarmer]

Great job getting it repaired!

 

[anytime121]

I am 66, my friend 58, we were very excited when I got the belt on. It went on the way that I thought but was more difficult too because the belt was new. Googled a short video about it because I did not want to do anything too strenuous to the belt and damage it.
Will ask about the electric cord clamp later. A spatial reasoning test for me. Whew.