Need help on deciding on a Speed queen dryer

[dory321]

I have a 3 year old Speed Queen washer and I am happy with it. My 15 year old Kenmore Elite gas dryer isn't performing as well as it used to. I am thinking about replacing it with a Speed Queen gas dryer. The other option is a Maytag from Lowes at almost half the price, it is on sale.
Do you think the Speed Queen is worth the extra money versus the Maytag?
I am also trying to figure out if the Speed Queen DR 7 or the DR 5 would be a better choice. They would both be the gas version. I am a little leary of the electronic board on the 7. I don't think that the DR 5 has the electronics.
I appreciate any insight and or experiences that you may be able to give me.
Thanks in advance!

 

[DADoES]

 
You didn't provide symptoms on the current dryer's trouble but I suggest investigating why it has back-slid on performance.  The exhaust ducting may have some lint accumulation, the dryer may have some internal lint accumulation/obstruction, the temperature sensor or gas valve solenoids may be erratic.  All these issues can be corrected.

 

[stricklybojack]

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I would rebuild the Kenmore.
Don’t know if you have the skills necessary, but that Kenmore is the last of the best vented dryers. Post a pic so we know exactly which one you have.
All it probably needs is a thorough cleaning, a new belt, new rollers, new seals, new gas coils while you’re there, and away you go.

 

[dory321]

photos

The dryer still runs but it is taking 3 cycles to dry the clothes. I don’t think we have the skills to repair it ourselves. I wonder what it would cost to have someone out to fix it?

 

[coldspot66]

I would fix the Kenmore. Do you get any heat at all? Solenoid coils on the gas valve are an inexpensive fix. Also check venting hose. A clogged vent hose will result in long dry times. Bad solenoid coils will provide heat initially, then fail further into the cycle, when calling for heat again. If you remove the bottom panel and run the dryer, you can see if you are getting the ignitor to glow orange and a blue flame. Also check the vent hood on the outside of the house. Make sure there is no lint build up there.

 

[stricklybojack]

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That’s a sweet dryer right there. Some prefer the top filter model, but this one is sturdier with two extra rollers and is just engineered overall a bit better imo. And it is decidedly better than the SQ you would be getting. I have an SQ, worked on a half dozen more, and have taken apart dozens of these Kenmore/Whirlpools. I agree with the aforementioned, and assuming your venting is as it should be, just get the gunk out, and while you are there pop in a new set of coils and maybe rollers, idler wheel and belt. All dryers fill with some lint in the air path, i.e. fan assembly, filter assembly, inside dryer vent tube, and so on. Others dryers have A LOT of lint and debris in the air path. The only way to know is to go in and clean it.
Lastly make sure the gasket on the fan case is intact and not leaking. Leave the fan in place, they can crack while being removed, and shouldn’t need to be touched anyway.
There are a ton of videos on the internet to guide you through this disassembly.
Worst case have a repair tech bail you out if you get stuck.
A good vacuum is also a must have, the best ones can also act as a blower to get the motor free of years of dust that can lead to a dead motor.
Below is a video of a basic cleaning. That is all yours may need, probably start there:

 

[appnut]

If you're using the timed dry instead of the Auto Dry Plus, that's one of your problems because the auto dry should be deciding how long to dry a load.  If the auto dry isn't functioning properly, it's most likely a lint built-up issue.  Have you ever cleaned out the vent and exhaust tube?  Opened up the dryer to see if there is an accumulation of lint?  That's also a fire hazard.  that is a perfectly wonderful, one of the best performing dryers when it's reasonably maintained.  

 

[DADoES]

 
Airflow is a crucial factor in dryer performance.  May be plenty of heat but the clothes won't dry if the evaporating moisture can't be moved out.  Your 2nd pic looks like the machines are in a basement and the exhaust duct goes upwards.  Make sure it's not crushed behind the dryer, no sharp bends.  The airflow out of the exterior hood should have a "push" feeling behind it.

Whirlpool has a dryer vent test kit (Part Number W11224254) which is a paper/cardboard card and hanger (instructions included).  The hanger mounts to the exhaust intake grill inside the drum, with the card hung on it.  Run the dryer briefly and the card should be pulled against the grill and fall off the hanger when the dryer is stopped.  If it's still on the hanger then the airflow is restricted by an obstruction in the exhaust, or somewhere.

Whirlpool W11224254 Vent Test Kit at RepairClinic.com

 

[repairguy]

I agree with everyone on the vent system needing cleaning. I’ll also add that sometimes the hood for the vent on the exterior of the home can get smashed or plugged with lint as well. 95% of calls for a dryer taking too long to dry have an exhaust issue in my experience. The gas coils would be my second bet as aforementioned if exhaust vent is perfect. Keep in mind that gas dryer prices usually aren’t advertised and are typically $100 more than an electric one although energy savings vs. electric will make that up in no time.

 

[dory321]

Thank you all for your help!!

I am thinking now, that the best decision is to have it serviced or repaired. This has been a good dryer for us for many years! It was a highly rated dryer at the time for its ability to be a gas dryer that wouldn't burn up our clothes due to high heat. This was in Consumer reports, I know that sometimes their reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt. However it was true in this case.

Thanks again for all of your expertise!

 

[appnut]

You are most welcome.  Keep us posted with progress and outcome.

 

[dory321]

The dryer is already running so much better’

Hubby and I cleaned out the lint from inside the dryer. I also went to the outside vent and removed some caked up lint on the exterior vent hood. Thank you for that Video link, stricklybojack! It really helped! And everyone else thanks for the tips! Tomorrow we are cleaning out the inside venting hose . Maybe we will be lucky and there is nothing else wrong with the dryer, just bad airflow.
For now, happy to hopefully keeping this dryer for at least a few more years.

 

[stricklybojack]

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Dryer cleaning is great bang for the buck. Very satisfying to do without being overly complicated. I just picked another one up this morning that I will sort out later in the week.
It need a new motor though...pretty much as bad as it gets for old dryers. Anything worse is not worth fixing unless you already have the parts on hand, bad timer, cracked drum, bad gas valve, etc.