Maytag Dryer MDG800 - 1999

[bravos4me]

I have a Maytag gas dryer, Model MDG800BWW, Serial # 28160305WW. Been in service almost daily for over 12 years with no repairs. Still works great, no problems at all, dries quickly without frying anything. I recently starting noticing that if I turn the drum by hand, there is some creaking. I plan to open it up to clean out the lint, and was wondering if there is anything else I should look for (replace belt, perhaps?), that may be causing the creaking noise.

I've never worked on a washer or dryer, but have learned a lot just from stalking this site.

Thanks.

 

[Iowegian]

What does it sound like when it's running?

Dryers are pretty simple machines. Look at and listen to the drum support rollers, glides, idler pulley, etc. Local parts houses should have anything you might need.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

The model number should be a MDG8000BWW. An Atlantis dryer with the sloped nose, maybe? A nice solid dryer. After 12 years of service, a good delinting is most definitely in order. If possible, compressed air to blow out the motor is best. I would also think about a new belt and possible rear support rollers and idler pulley. They are at the point where the self lubing bearings might be beginning to dry out. Check your front tumbler glides to make sure they still have meat on the Teflon. Also, check the blower to make sure it's tight on the motor shaft with no play. Do some preventative maintenance now and she will last you a long time. You have a good dryer there!

RCD

 

[moparwash]

Try..

Repairclinic.com for parts....they have great how to videos and should have all your parts...I changed the belt and drum rollers on my DG106 and it was easier than I thought and the dryer is much quieter now!

http://www.repairclinic.com/Shop-For-Parts?TLSID=1594&Ref=382153

 

[Iowegian]

That's one of the great thing about the internet.

Many years ago (before the interwebs) we had an old Maytag dryer (coppertone, don't remember the model number) where the drum was suspended from a spindle assembly in the back of the machine - similar to how the modern front load washers work. The belt went bad, and it was a PITA to figure out how to fix it.

Same story when the thermostat went bad, too.

 

[bravos4me]

Thanks, redcarpetdrew and everyone else...

Yes, it's an Atlantis, Model MDG8000BWW with the sloped nose. I think I'll open it up one of these weekends and take a look, watch some video on RepairClinic.com, then order maintenance parts. I can't imagine anything new would be as good as this. It's a dryer, for god sakes.

It sounds just fine when it's running; nothing that would make me think there is anything wrong. It's the fact that it's 13 years old that has me thinking I should do some preventative maintenance, especially the belt, which I know is an easy job.

Thanks to you all for your input.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Nice looking dryer. I see you have the 'Ultra Care' option turned on. Do you know what that's for? Normally, that sliding temperature selector controls the heat. High to low then a 'click' for no heat. What a lot of people don't know is that ultra care will ignore the temp selector completely and drop down to a super low heat for super delicate things like sweaters, etc. There's the problem. Most people don't understand how it works (or just don't read the manual) and leave it on, thinking its a good thing for all loads. Meanwhile, they set the temp control to high for a load of heavy items and then can't figure out why it's taking so blasted long to dry. Customers get kinda unhappy when I come out for a too long to dry/not hot enough complaint and all I do is turn off the ultra care...

"It's a dryer, for God's sake..." Yeah. As if a dryer was so simple, every one would be a walk in the park to fix... LOL!

RCD

 

[bravos4me]

Sorry about the delayed replay...

I've been out of town for a while.

RCD, I do know what the Ultra Care button is for, and that it overrides the temp selector. We keep it permanently depressed so that we don't mistakenly use high heat at all. We find that the heat at the lowest temp is more than adequate, and, as I said, the clothes dry pretty fast. Maybe that's partly because of the very short exhaust line; the dryer is right next to the outside wall. They say the lower heat is better for your clothes, so if it works, why change it.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[tecnopolis]

I have the same dryer in gas.  Love it! 

 

[tecnopolis]

.My bad

[this post was last edited: 10/20/2012-20:36]

 

[combo52]

MT Dryer Belt Diagram

Alex the diagram you pictured is for the 29" wide dryers, the 27" wide dryers that are being discussed and pictured in this thread have a normal [ belt groves against the drum installation ]. Maytag finally got away from the silly back-ass-ward way of routing their dryer belts when they introduced the 27" machines.