GE Dryer

[retroguy]

Having a little trouble with this GE Dryer. It has a new belt, and tensioner pulley wheel. It heats up, and spins fine, but takes forever to dry clothes. 3 full cycles, at 80 minutes each, to be exact. (fully loaded) I dont know if this has anything to do with the problem, but the timer is also bad and works only on the timed setting. Anyone have a clue what the problem might be?
I would appreciate any suggestions where to look =)

 

[coldspot66]

Check for a blocked vent. That hose looks fairly new. Check the hood on the outside of the house. There should be pretty strong airflow exiting the vent hood. If not, change/clean the vent hose. Make sure there are no kinks in it as well. It should be as short and straight as possible....not alot of extra hose behind the dryer. Also make sure the dryer hose is not crushed behind the dryer. From shutting the door, the dryer tends to get pushed to the back wall, thereby crushing the vent hose. Hope this helps!

 

[toggleswitch]

Check also for nests, dead beasties.

Is the blower running at full speed?
Is the machine gas or electric?

If electric, is one hot-leg actually a neutral therby giving the heating element 110v?

Does it take equally long on all temperatures? Perhaps a thermostat is grossly innacurate?

 

[retroguy]

hey guys! thanks for the replies. i've checked the airflow, and it seems strong. it's an electric dryer, and i believe, now that i have checked the airflow, that it isnt getting hot enough. it gets hot in the dryer, but the air coming from the discharge is room temperature. *scratches head* ever heard of that? it does take equally long on all temperatures. and toggleswitch, i like to think both my legs are hot, but you lost me on that one! =)

 

[toggleswitch]

and not the third one?

I'm thinking this:

There should be two hots and a neutral.

If one of the hots was somehow getting an actual neutral (while the other was getting a hot), you would in theory have a 110v heating element which would behave ina way that fits all of the above-described characteristics.

 

[retroguy]

LOL...yeah, the 3rd one too. So then i should be checking the wall outlet, yes?

 

[timborow]

Yeah, mine too!

I have the exact same dryer. Mine is doing the same thing. It takes forever to dry a load of clothes. I took mine apart thinking that maybe there was a clog. I couldn't find anything. The matching washer died 5 years ago. These are not really good machines. My repair man told me not to spend the money to fix it. It's just not worth it. Anyone out there have an opinion on this. I'm still using the dryer even though it's a headache. I have a Kenmore 90 series washer now, should I go purchase the matching dryer, or fix it? Tim

 

[coldspot66]

These GE dryers use a double heater coil. You could be running on one coil only, which would explain cooler air and long dry time. If this is the case.....buy a WHIRLPOOL/KENMORE 29" wide dryer...........still the best for airflow and drying speed.

 

[retroguy]

I just bought a new washer, when the one matching the dryer died. that is why i was hoping to save this machine a while longer. and Tim, i got the Kenmore as well. I actually went to Sears with what i thought was a large enough budget to get a washer and dryer set. Unfortunately, the salesman was wearing a bow tie, I was in a hurry, and close to $1000 later all i had was a new Kenmore Washer, and empty pockets!

 

[timborow]

EEK!

Gosh I hope you didn't get taken. I think you could have gotten a washer/dryer set that is very dependable for that price. What kind did you get? Pictures of it? Tim

 

[retroguy]

Oh I'm SURE I got taken....

But it's been a good machine, they did deliver it the same day, and I NEEDED it that day! =) I went back to the same store to look for the matching dryer recently. I only saw it in gas though. I'll probably go back and get one only after I try the suggestions I have gotten for the GE here.

 

[DADoES]

If you paid "close to $1000" for that washer, you did get taken!

 

[retroguy]

close....$775

 

[timborow]

Those are mine!

So strange. I have the exact washer and dryer you have. I like the washer, the dryer eh, not really. I want the matching dryer to have the complete set. I paid 400.00 for my washer like that 5 years ago. It was a floor model. Let me know how you like your new dryer. Tim

 

[jmm63]

I have the same washer and matching dryer and paid $1000 for both of them a few years ago. I've seen that model on "closeout" for $449. I'd call Sears and speak to a manager because you got shafted. Your matching dryer in electric should be very easy to find.

 

[retroguy]

I'm sure I got shafted. I did pay $150, or so for the extended warranty. That is still pretty bad though. Tim...I'll let you know when I get the dryer. I'm sure I'll like it better than the GE. I've now tried everyones suggestions, and the dryer is indeed working better. I still think it has problems though. Seems like what i found shouldnt have caused as much trouble as it did.