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Whirlpool dryer LER7646D takes too long to dry

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Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 09:07 pm

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sellingsquad
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I received a Whirlpool dryer from a buddy when he upgraded to a new front loader. He said it took a long time to dry towels. I hooked up the machine at my house and noticed it did take 2 cycles of 45-50 mins to completely dry a normal sized load on the high heat setting.

I know that long drying times are usually attributed to poor ventilation, kinked vent hose, lint blockage, etc., so I figured I could fix this problem with a vacuum cleaner.

I removed the back panel and found a lot of lint..a whole lot of lint. I then removed the blower wheel cover / lint chute and removed more lint. I cleaned the heck out of the machine. I even found a $20 bill folded up in one corner of the machine!!! :coolblast:

I put everything back together and it is still taking 2 loads to dry the clothes.

I then emptied the dryer and removed the vent hose and tested the air flow from the back of the machine. It was coming out pretty strong and the temperature cycled between 165 and 135. I could hear the cutoffs clicking so they appear to be doing their jobs.

As a side note, I used a cheap plastic vent hose for testing purposes only (yes, the kind that you are not supposed to use). It had to stretch approximately 7-8 feet. I don't think that would affect the drying though.

I am at a loss on this one. Please help.

Tim

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Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 09:23 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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sellingsquad wrote: ... take 2 cycles of 45-50 mins to completely dry a normal sized load
is this in the Timed Dry Cycle

or the Auto Dry Cycle ?

is this with 240v AC at the Terminal Strip ?

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Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 09:40 pm

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sellingsquad
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This is in the timed dry cycle.

It is an electric dryer with a 3 prong outlet 240v to the terminal.

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Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 10:32 pm

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appl.tech.29501
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You have a venting problem (airs not getting out like it needs to).

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Posted: Thu Oct 14th, 2010 10:49 pm

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sellingsquad
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I'm confused. Are you saying that I should be able to dry a load without the vent hose attached and it should work...or are you saying this is an internal venting issue?

The dryer was blowing with pretty good force and the temperature was cycling on an empty load. There is no lint to speak of in the unit so there are no blockages.

Tim

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 02:08 am

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Tronicsmasta

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i bet you will find the lint screen chute is full of lint at the bottom... sometimes this can lead to a mis diagnosed vent.

remove the 2 screws under the lint screen. take of the rear panel. remove the 4 screws on the left chute where the blower is. pull the bottom out... then slide it down to free the top. if the bottom of that chute is more than 1/2 full with lint, you will get this symptom.

if this is an older model and the rear panel is half height, you will have to loosen the right side of the bulk head in order to pull the lint chute.

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 02:28 am

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sellingsquad
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I appreciate the replies. I know my original post was longwinded, but just to reiterate, this machine is totally clear and free of lint. I have removed the back cover, the lint chute/ blower fan cover, drum, etc. and have vacuumed the entire unit inside and out.

On a side note, I did run a normal sized load (whites, shirts, socks, rags) on the Automatic cycle. It finished at approx 55 minutes. So the timed cycle needs approx 80-100 minutes on high heat to match 55 minutes on the Automatic setting.

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 02:50 am

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man
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Disconnect the vent completely from the back of the dryer and run a load that way. And read this sermon on dryer venting==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2003/10/15/appliance-tip-of-the-day-the-ultimate-dryer-venting-guide/

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 02:52 am

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Tronicsmasta

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you may have destroyed the seals with the vacuum. there should be a full foam seal between the blower housing and lint chute. another between the rear bulk head and lint chute. if those seals are bad, it sucks in cold air instead of the hot air from the drum.

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 02:59 am

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RegUS_PatOff
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sellingsquad wrote: ... the timed cycle needs approx 80-100 minutes on high heat to match 55 minutes on the Automatic setting.
both Cycles use the same Thermostats and the same temperatures ..

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 03:44 am

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sellingsquad
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The seals were one of the areas I was wondering about. There is a small foam strip still around the blower fan (it does appear to be pretty flat though. There was alot of lint around there. There is another large foam padded strip around the lint chute that is still intact. I'll take some pictures and upload them.

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 04:00 am

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sellingsquad
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Here are some photos.

added CR/LF after each picture

Last edited on Fri Oct 15th, 2010 04:11 am by RegUS_PatOff

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 12:41 pm

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appl.tech.29501
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All that looks good. Run the dryer with the vent hose disconnected as Samurai said and see if it drys in 60 min. If so you have a vent issue.

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 12:52 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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is that Blower Fan Blade hitting something ?

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 05:54 pm

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sellingsquad
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The blower fan blade looks like it hit something in the past, but it is not hitting anything now. This unit is very quiet and the fan blade spins very smoothly.

I did run a load through a few days ago without the vent hose attached, but it was after the first load failed to dry.

I will run a full load through without the vent attached and will report back to you.

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 06:24 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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Dryer Vent

Vent should be rigid metal.
Short lengths of flexible metal may be OK, if not crimped when moving the Dryer into place.
NO plastic
NO PVC
NO screws
Foil Duct Tape is OK.
With an empty load, Timed Dry, High Heat, the vent temperature should cycle somewhere between 135F and 160F

Check / clean the Dryer Vent

Disconnect the Dryer Vent and check for good air-flow there and where it exits the house.

Check the Vent air temperature at the back of the Dryer.

If you have a Harbor Freight Store near you,

click on picture $ 4.99 sometimes on sale for $ 2.99

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 06:40 pm

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sellingsquad
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This is from my original post (which is why I am stumped on this dryer).

"I then emptied the dryer and removed the vent hose and tested the air flow from the back of the machine. It was coming out pretty strong and the temperature cycled between 165 and 135. I could hear the cutoffs clicking so they appear to be doing their jobs."

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 08:55 pm

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RegUS_PatOff
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If you have good air-flow and the temperatures are correct,

there's no reason for it not to dry ..

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 08:59 pm

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kdog
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sellingsquad wrote: This is from my original post (which is why I am stumped on this dryer).

"I then emptied the dryer and removed the vent hose

Perhaps a problem exists within the exhaust vent - this is VERY common

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Posted: Fri Oct 15th, 2010 11:27 pm

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sellingsquad
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I just started a decent sized load now with no vent hose, on the timed cycle, high heat for 60 minutes. I should have more info in 50 minutes or so.

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