Dryer Troubleshoot
Kenmore dryer: It pays to do things yourself every now and then as you will save money in the long run, and your knowledge level of how things work will increase dramatically.
One of the easiest things out there is troubleshooting your gas or electric dryer. When the machine just barely gets those jeans dry enough for you to wear or flat out is just not heating up at all, its time to get a Phillip screwdriver and get down to business.
The most common problem that occurs very frequent to the dryer is lint accumulation inside the cabin and also in the vent ducts. The reason it is very important to clean the lint screen after every cycle, as well as periodically clean out the lint inside dryer and its vents is because it creates a fire hazard. When accumulated over the heating coil it will catch on fire. Always check the batteries on you smoke detectors at least twice a year and keep one close to your dryer.
Also, if not removed, this lint build-up can and will restrict air flow in and out of the cabin. In order for the heating element to fire-up and give that red glow required to send the hot air that ultimately will get those jeans nice and dry in the tumbler it will need oxygen. We all know that oxygen fuels flames so without it your unit will not dry.
The easiest way to troubleshoot this is to get down near the front of the dryer and remove a small square cap on the bottom left-hand corner of the machine. This will reveal an peep hole to the heating element of your dryer. With the machine turned on take a look inside the opening and observe for a red glow inside. Sometimes it takes a minute or two for it to come on but for the most part it should be visible right away. If it fails to turn on then your heating coil is definitely the problem and should be replaced. If you replace it yourself, remember to always disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet before removing any panel on your dryer to avoid the possibility of an electric shock.
Also, for those of you that own a gas dryer as opposed to the electric kind, you might want to keep an extra vigilance for the smell of gas as it becomes very evident when the excess lint causes the coil not to fire up allowing the unburned gas to flow out into the open. If this happens, you must turn off the gas at the shut-off valve behind you dryer. When in the on position, the valve is parallel "II" to the pipe on the wall running straight on the pipe. To turn it off, the valve needs to be in a "T" position on the pipe. Turn the valve a quarter turn which is all it needs to shut off. If the odor is definitely to strong, seek help and call your local fire department. Make the phone call far away from the gas leak as possible and avoid turning on any electrical devises as they may trigger an explosion. Open all the windows and doors as to vent the room and wait outside of the house.
Its a good idea to remove all the lint from where it doesn't belong and see if that solves the issue. If it fails, then most likely you'll need to purchase a heating element replacement kit online. Make sure you write down the model number for your dryer. You can find this behind the dryer. You may need to purchase a manual too at the same site you buy the part. Trust me it will come in handy..