Trying to safe a Kenmore Fabric Master Soft Heat Dryer

[mathfarkas]

I have my Kenmore dryer and washer for 35+ years and they work great. They are still in mint cond. (no rust, etc.). My Kenmore Fabric Master Soft Heat dryer was having trouble heating so I called in a repair man. The problem is a burned out (broken)heating element. I had no idea it is a dual Watt element. I live in Canada so my model number does not match the ones I try to look up online. I tried calling up service centers for parts but they cant find the number in their database. I am hoping someone here on this forum can help as there must be an American counterpart to this machine.

Here is the info...

Canadian Sears Heavy Duty Kenmore Fabric Master Dryer purchased new in 1983 • Model: C1108230880

I checked the back and the heating element was manufactured by Tutco. It is a Tutco Series 21 dual element (3700W and 1500W) model 20061810.

This was a great strong machine and I am trying hard to salvage it as it has lasted over 35 years. Most modern machines are Terrible. I am wondering if anyone can help and if there is an alternative part to this?

Thanks, Mathew.

 

[akronman]

pictures

pictures of the dryer console, controls, and the actual heater would help. Sears and Whirlpool made hundreds of thousands of electric dryers in this era, plenty of interchangeable parts.

Also, while it's apart for service, get lint out of every nook and cranny you can, and get a few drops of oil into the motor bearings at each end. Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers of this era last forever with some occasional cleaning.

 

[peteski50]

Akronman!

Hi Akronman Mark - I had sent you a note a few weeks back did you get it on this sites message center?
Thanks
Peter

 

[combo52]

Two Level Element For an older KM Dryer

The wattage's of the element you need sound like the soft heat element that similar US KM dryers used from around 1966-1969 on their Soft-Heat models. If you could post a picture of you bad element removed from its heater box I could see if it is the same.

 

I am sure that this element is NLA but there may still be some around or even a restring kit, it is also to install a single level element with very little modification to the dryer.

 

John L.

 

[mathfarkas]

Adding some pictures

Thanks for your responses. I'm new here at this forum but from reading many of the replies, this seems like a great place for information. The repair person couldn't find an element and said to replace the whole unit but I have seen the new appliances out there and the quality is not like this one.

I took the back off last week (for 35 years old it was really clean!) but the element is a challenge to get out. There is only a screw at the bottom along with the electrical terminal connections as it slides into a metal duct on the right side. The metal duct is crimped (not screwed) to the frame. It can slide out but then it hits the bottom of the dryer. I think I might have to take the bottom off as well. I will try to get more pictures in the next couple of days, but until then I have taken pictures of the console and exterior.

The controls are simple. Heat or Cold Air. Set the timer to the length of time and let it do its job. You can pack it full and it runs quiet and smooth. I don't know about changing the element to a single watt one?

Thanks, Mathew.

 

[mathfarkas]

More Pictures to help

I was lucky enough to be able to remove the back today and I took pictures of the insides. There is only one screw holding the element in on the bottom but there are no screws on the "vent" cover. You can see in the picture that it is crimped together. The element slides out but it can't get past the bottom of the dryer. On the back panel of the dryer, I was able to find the original wiring diagram along with the patent dates for this model. It looks like this type of model was still in production in 1983 all the way back from 1968. I hope these pictures help.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again. Mathew.

 

[turquoisedude]

Mathew, I think I have an entire heater assembly that would fit this dryer.  I have had a couple of Kenmores over the years and both needed new heating elements.  The last one I had got scrapped after I changed the heating element and the dryer still didn't heat - we bought a new dryer and when it didn't work, we found the breaker for the dryer circuit was defective...  Well, I kept that danged heating element, just in case!

 

I will only be able to get to the house where this is stored on the weekend but I'll post pictures of what I have and hopefully it will help.  

 

I'm in Québec so the mailing cost shouldn't be too bad!! 

 

 

 

[DADoES]

 
The element is changed by disconnecting the wires and removing the entire heater box with the element inside.  As I recall the heater box is anchored by a strap and screw at the top and sits on two hooks at the bottom.  Raise the top of the machine for access, use a short/stubby screwdriver or a ratchet.  The element can be pulled out of the heater box after the heater box is removed from the machine.

 

[114jwh]

20061810....

Is an Inglis part number so you won't likely be able to locate it from a US parts distributor using that number. From what I gather, Inglis manufactured or self-sourced parts were given an Inglis part number, parts sourced from Whirlpool in the USA retained the Whirlpool part number. The older whirlpool part numbers were typically 5 or 6 digits long whereas Inglis part numbers were longer and started with a 2. When Whirlpool USA took over Inglis' operations in the late 80's, the old Inglis PN's were converted to Whirlpool PNs.

Appears that your heating element may sub to 337365 using the Whirlpool equivalent according to Amre Supply.

http://https//www.amresupply.com/part/337365-WHPL-DR-ELEMENT-ASSM

 

[mathfarkas]

Still looking but also considering alternative elements.

Looking at the picture, my heating element looks just like 337365 using the Whirlpool equivalent according to Amre Supply except the wattages are slightly different. Of course this element is also no longer available. I am still hopeful in finding a "new old stock" replacement, but I am also considering a modification to a single watt element. Although I have modified old parts to fit other appliances, I have never worked on a dual watt clothes dryer before so I am not sure how to put in a new single watt OEM element. If anyone can help and knows of an appropriate OEM alternative element for this dryer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the help.

Mathew.

 

[turquoisedude]

Mathew, I found the heating element assembly from that Kenmore dryer I scrapped.  It's the Whirlpool part 337365, but it should work.  Please email me using the address in my profile if you are interested.