Safe to use a dryer that sat outside for 3-4+ months?

[dustin92]

I picked up an LG washer and Maytag Neptune MDG3000 this spring to repair, and both machines had been sitting outside for an unknown amount of time before I got them. The washer has moved on, but the dryer had some mice or something living in it, and I don't like crawlies. So it stayed outside. It did run and still does, it was moved in the garage about a week ago (I've been busy this summer and nothing went according to plan). It obviously needs a good cleaning and inspection, but would it be advisable to fix it up and use it? It doesn't appear to be rusty anywhere, and I didn't get charged when I plugged it in, but I don't want to cause a potentially dangerous situation by bringing it back into use. I have the matching MAH3000 washer that I'm planning on giving a friend, and while a matching dryer would be nice, I have another dryer (Maytag DG510) That I can give him if this isn't a good idea. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[wishwash]

The good cleaning and inspection is really your check if it is safe... If anything is wrong, fix it. Look for chewed wires or mouse nests.

 

[dustin92]

I know there's a mouse nest in the blower housing, I imagine it will be completely torn down, check all wires and connections etc. There is a loose paddle in the drum but that's an easy fix. I was just concerned about the safety of electrical components and switches, sensors etc. It's been mostly exposed to the elements (under an overhang that partially covered the controls). There's a bit of fading on the paint but I think most of that will polish out. I need to get a conversion kit from propane to natural gas (it's currently set up for propane) and will see how it goes.

 

[retro-man]

We have members here who keep a gas dryer outside under their decks to use in the summer time. I don't see a problem with using yours, once you clean out the mice and nests. Since you are going to check it all over should not be a problem.

Jon

 

[combo52]

If a dryer has been sitting outside in a damp location

In addition to normal cleaning oiling etc, be sure that the operating and safety thermostats work correctly, it is possible that the contacts can become corroded and stuck closed, on a gas dryer after you have it serviced and all hooked up try operating the dryer on a heat setting with the door fully open [ finger holding the door switch closed ] the burner should fire up and then shut off within 30 seconds or so on the burner box safety thromostat. And of course the gas burner should shut off instantly when the door is opened, it is possible the the gas valve could stick if water got into the open gas pipe when the dryer was sitting unused which usually ruins the gas valve assembly.

 

John L.

 

[dustin92]

Well, so far so good. I tore into it yesterday and it doesn't look bad at all. No major rust, no mouse damage that I've seen, seems to run fine (haven't hooked it up to gas yet). I took all of the large parts (drum, door, front bulkhead, lint filter etc.) And scrubbed them down, rinsed with the hose and letting them air dry. I still have to clean up the cabinet and all it's parts but it seems to be coming along nicely. I still have to oil the rollers and belt tensioner and of course convert it from propane to natural gas.

 

[blackstone]

"try operating the dryer on a heat setting with the door fully open [ finger holding the door switch closed ] the burner should fire up and then shut off within 30 seconds or so on the burner box safety thermostat"

Would this be a quick, reliable test to see if thermostats are working, or just the safety thermostat? Never really thought of this; makes sense.

 

[DADoES]

 
Just the element or burner safety thermostat.  Operational thermostats need proper airflow through the drum to register, which doesn't happen when running with the door open.

 

[dustin92]

Success!

I ordered the conversion kit and installed it, and I'm happy to say it's working! At first try it didn't light but I could smell gas in the drum, second try it worked fine. It does have about 7 feet of gas line after the shutoff valve, so may have had too much air in the line. It's dried two loads now, and it worked just fine. No smoke, flames, or explosions. It does seem to run a tad hot for my liking, but not alarmingly so. I set the temperature between delicate and medium (infinite temp control) and it seemed to get about as hot as our Samsung on medium. I don't know exactly how "Infinite" the temperatures are, but it seemed a tad hot. Nothing scorched (normal mixed cotton load) and the clothes were only warm after the cycle (Intellidry regular, between more and less dry) so I'm assuming it's working as designed. The end of cycle signal does sound like it has issues, it announces the end of the cycle with a sharp "biiip" 4 times. Sounds like something between a bell and a very weak beeper. Just doesn't sound too healthy.. Again, may be working as designed, and not a big deal if it isn't!