Kenmore Dryer taking long to dry clothes

[kenmore70]

My almost 30 year old Kenmore Dryer is taking long to dry clothes. The vent was cleaned out recently and it's not blocked outside. The blower and lint chute assembly were also cleaned out recently. It seems like the heating element kicks on, gets hot but then it cycles off after about 2 minutes, then goes back on for a few minutes and cycles off again. Could this be a faulty operating thermostat which is mounted on the blower housing as shown in the picture? I will have to test it when I get a chance. Also, if that's the case should I also replace the thermal fuse?

 

[combo52]

29 inch Kenmore electric dryer taking a long time to dry

That’s likely the high limit thermostat on the heater box at cycling in about two minutes.

Try running a few loads with the dryer with the vent disconnected completely, if it works fine with the vent disconnected go back and see what’s wrong with the event system that’s most likely the cause.

If it still does it with event system disconnected, make sure the rear drum seal is in good condition. Also, make sure the foam seal between the filter housing and the rear bulkhead is in good condition, make sure the lint filter still has a seal under the handle and that the handle isn’t broken off, etc..

John L

 

[maytag85]

It might be possible the high limit thermostat may be getting weak.

 

[DADoES]

 
There no reason to replace the thermal fuse on the blower housing unless it's blown.  It's non-resettable, functions as a fail-safe for the operating thermostat, both should be replaced if that fuse blows.  The machine won't run at all if it blows so that's clearly not your problem.

 

[combo52]

Bimetal disc type thermostats do not get weak and start cycling quicker unless one of the wire connections on the thermostat is burning up and making the thermostat get hotter than the air passing by. It will be very obvious if that’s happening. You’ll also need to replace the wire terminal and part of the lead if this happens.

I can’t remember ever seeing a thermostat behave that way and I’ve worked on a lot of dryers.

John L