KitchenAid Dryer Service Advice

[mistereric]

Evening all.

Trying to get a handle on what needs replacement on my Kitchenaid Oven Door dryer. I've been noticing some odd marks on some clothes and decided to investigate.

Upon further investigation, it seems that there's a gap at the top of the drum, where it meets the back wall. It's almost as if the drum has slumped down a bit. Something I worn out and needs replacement.

 

[maytag85]

Looks like it’s either the drum seal/gasket or the rollers have worn down hence the slight gap/play in the drum.

 

[qsd-dan]

Tear it down.

 

 

[mistereric]

Yeah Im gonna have to tear it down for sure... was gonna try and buy the needed parts before I did it.

 

[DADoES]

 
I have found that it's typically not the best route to guess and order parts before disassembling and examining to confirm what's needed.

 

[mistereric]

My main issue is even though I've disassembled, I don't know just by looking at things whats good and whats worn.

I do see lots of rust colored dust on the rear felt, and this seems to match the color of the deposits on clothes that started this endeavor.

 

[repairguy]

At a minimum the bulkhead needs to be cleaned, sanded, and painted and the rear drum seal replaced.

 

[mistereric]

Agreed on the sanding and painting. Ordered the front and rear felt & gaskets, and the rollers.

 

[repairguy]

Looks like you’re headed in the right direction.

 

[combo52]

Nice paint job

We do this repair in customers homes fairly regularly when they start getting stains on clothing.

Check the rollers carefully. The rollers that came with KitchenAid dryers are better than the ones you bought so unless the KitchenAid rollers are actually bad I would clean them up and put them back on.

Likewise, the replacement idler pulleys are not as good as the one that came with this dryer.

The dryer should be good to go for years yet, it might be worth trying to drill some holes in the motor and lubricate it while you’re in there that will extend the life of it .

John

 

[DADoES]

 
Looks nice.  Clean the paint overspray from the roller shafts.

 

[mistereric]

Thanks guys.

I had thought the rollers looked pretty good; I'll likely compare them to the new ones and if the rubber is good, they'll go back on. Lubricate them with 3in1, perhaps? Will definitely clean up the axels before I re-assemble.

I wouldn't know where to drill into the motor, so I'll likely just try to clean it up with the vacuum and canned air. I would love to keep this machine as long as it will hold up - figure another 20 years before more service.

 

[DADoES]

 
The drum rollers (and belt idler) have sintered bearings/bushings and aren't supposed to be oiled.  If you reuse the existing rollers and wish to lube them a tad, perhaps a drop on a finger rubbed onto the shafts.

 

[mistereric]

Sounds good. I only ask cause it seems like they were a bit oily to begin with.

 

[maytag85]

Btw, if you don’t want blue staining on the freshly painted bulkhead, don’t wash jeans in cold water since if the dye doesn’t have a chance the bleed off in the wash, it’ll bleed onto the dryer drum which stumps people into thinking their dryer is high mileage when in reality it’s from not washing jeans or denim in warm water followed by suggested wash times etc. Sometimes only washing in cold only causes more wear and tear on laundry appliances than washing in warm or hot water.

 

[bradfordwhite]

It LOOKS nice but....

Not to be a thorn in your side but

If all you did is get some rustoleum and paint it, It's probably not going to hold up.
You need special paint and it should be primed and ideally sand blasted or similar treatment before painting.

I hope it lasts for you though.

 

[mistereric]

Thanks all. I usually wash jeans on warm. I don't mind too much if it gets stained; just wanted to see the raw metal covered up.

It does look nice, and I don't expect it to stay perfect. I sanded down the rusty spots and scuff sanded the whole area, then wiped down with windex and rubbing alcohol. I hit it with several coats and used a heavy duty enamel.

Since it's going to take several days to get parts, I am hoping it has some time to cure. I'm unlikely to be able to get the bulkhead sandblasted anytime soon; tho.

 

[combo52]

KitchenAid dryer bulkhead painting

Hi Eric, you’re doing great regular enamel is just fine. I’ve done this repair many times in a customers home we clean it up. Give it a quick spray paint put a new rear seal on and reassemble it all within an hour run the dryer for an hour or so, to bake the paint on, never had any complaints.

One drop of oil on each side of the rollers, and a one drop on each end of the idler pulley is all that’s needed. They do run better with a little bit of oil but they don’t need much.

It’s easy to drill holes in the motor and oil it. I’ll try to see if I can find pictures it definitely extends the life of the motor. Otherwise you’ll be replacing the motor one of these years.

John

 

[blockeight88]

Lens Cover

Off topic, but does anyone have a solution for clearing up that lens cover that covers the bulb? I have the same one and it's very yellow. Any suggestions?