LG DRYER DLEX3001W - high pitched whine

[porkroaster]

Hello everyone... I've happened upon this site after my really nice LG washer dryer combo has worked silently and flawlessly for 18 months or better, from purchasing new.

Now out of warranty, I have to locate the cause of an odd symptom recently starting: 

The dryer is making a high pitched whine during drum rotation.  The whine starts immediately upon starting of drum rotation and continues.  As soon as I noticed this, I've stopped using the machine.

It displays no "errors" or codes, although I've not tried any diagnostic modes, if they exist.

All functions seem to work ok.  I would just like to find the cause before causing further damage, if, for example, I had a bad roller causing a "drag" on the drive motor.

I need to locate the service manual for this machine, although I have no luck thus far.

I would love to hear thoughts or experiences on the cause of this, if anyone has had any. 

We have had great service thus far, and the wash/dry is superb with the set.

I have good general trouble shooting skills from my mechanic background.  Currently the machines are stacked inside a closet with very good venting outside, only 2 elbows to exit and 10 feet of run... I will bring the dryer out and hook up an extension cord so that I may run the machine open if need be to diagnose.

Look forward to any help,

Thanks all for reading!

 

DLEX3001W


MM 3 12 21

[clman]

Suspect the motor or blower wheel. Possible something stuck in the blower wheel rubbing against the blower housing. Remember I said "suspect". Typically the drum and rollers will not make high pitch sounds unless it's metal to metal. If that's the case it will be obvious during tear down. Just take it apart and look at everything. You can also run the motor with the drum out to eliminate the drum, rollers and idler pulley. Take the door switch out of the door and plug it back in to the harness. Lift the idler pulley to engage the belt switch and it will run. If it's gas - turn off the gas so it won't ignite while testing. If it's electric you can pull one of the high limit / high cycle thermostat wires and tape it. If you take the blower wheel off you can run the motor the same way and eliminate all but the motor its self.

Good luck and have fun.

[AJ]

I need to locate the service manual for this machine, although I have no luck thus far.

DLEX3001 DLGX3002 LG Dryer Service Manual

[porkroaster]

clman...

Thanks on the quick tips of "high probability" items.  I will go through and eliminate each as known good or otherwise.

AJ, thanks on the line.  $5 works


And... the "plot thickens"

I just found out that Momma ran the dryer for a short time forgetting the lint filter...  I'm wondering if a little build up wouldn't possible foul the blower or such?

I'm going to take it down this weekend.

 

[porkroaster]

Broke down the dryer...

And snooping towards the dryer motor and blower, there indeed seemed to be something "dragging" on the motor, causing a high pitched whine, as if the motor drive was being impeded...

I'll attach a photo...  any takers to guess the root cause here?

 

[AJ]

Nice find, lol..


Thanks for the update. 

[clman]

At least they were clean.

[porkroaster]

Hmmm...  The dryer works perfectly and silently after the blockage was removed.

Someone got told they get to work off my laborious work.

Although worse for wear, they still function.

What say I make her wear them ONE more time?   

 

[scrapiron]

Yeah, but we'll need pictures for proof.