Kenmore 90s series dryer

[Pipsqueak]

We bought it used paired with the Kenmore 70s series washer around June 2014 from a used appliance store. Around December 2014, it stopped drying (lack of heat) and we had a repair guy from the store we bought it from fix it. About 5-6 months later it stopped working again for lack of heat. The first repair cost almost as much as we paid for it so I haven't been willing to go that route again. My mom owns a HE washer/dryer pair that she no longer has hook ups for so we are using her dryer (and storing the washer).

What to do with the Kenmore dryer is the question. Is it something a novice could attempt to fix or would we be better off trying to sell it?

 

[kenmorebd]

First I would clean out the dryer, see if something is causing poor airflow. Did the repair person say what part or parts failed in the dryer? That might give you a clue as to what might have caused the failures. Kenmore dryers are made by Whirlpool, and as rule are good dryers.


That video should be a good place to start. I have a hunch you might find that lint as clogged up the dryer.

-Andy

 

[Pipsqueak]

Thanks

We'll give that a try first. I don't remember what the repair guy said was wrong.

 

[gusherb]

Yeah, every time I've had a Whirlpool dryer stop heating it was because of the thermal overload fuse blowing, and it was always a result of poor airflow. Fix the airflow, then replace that fuse (a quick and easy job I think anyone should be able to do themselves) and it should be good to go. If it's not the fuse then it might be the gas valve solenoids (if it's a gas model), but those shouldn't fail after such a short period like that.

 

[Pipsqueak]

Asked my husband

About the part replaced, he said the repair guy said it was the heating element.

I looked at the dryer and compared it to the video. Unlike the dryer in the video, the lint trap that you clean after every load is in the dryer near the drum instead of on the top near the controls. What impact does that have on opening it up to clean it?

 

[dartman]

Every time our 70? Series Kenmore/Whirlpool dryer stopped heating it was the thermal fuse thing as well. It is very easy and cheap to replace and yes they blow when the exhuast gets blocked and it overheats.
First time the hose was linked, second time the filter had sucked in some paper till it blocked the airflow.
On mine the parts were either behind a panel or just screwed to the back.
There is a way to short around the fuse to bypass it to see if the heat works then you know the fuse is dead if it starts heating.

 

[kenmorebd]

I do not think the lint filter has any impact on cleaning, however I am still a novice. Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge could chime in?