Frigidaire dryer won't run - can hear motor.

[andersenappliance]

I've got to start bringing a camera...

Called on Frigidaire electric dryer, older, basic, style (model tag removed).  Complaint was it won't run, but we can hear it.

I hit the start button, and the motor hummed (not ran) while button is depressed.  I opened it up, and it is FULL of lint.  I had a hard time finding screws & wire connectors due to the lint.

Rotated the drum, & it was too stiff - probably just dragging the belt across the motor pulley.

I indicated this to the customer and removed the drum.  The whole bottom of the cabinet, motor  included was covered in 1-2" of lint.  The motor would not turn.  I removed it, took it to the shop & cleaned it up.  Seized bearings.  Can't replace those, (I had told cust. that he was looking at new motor before I left.).

Vacuumed & blew it out.  took a toothbrush to the outside of bearings, and started treating it with Zoomspout Oil (thanks JW!!).

Worked it back & forth, while heating it with a heat gun on low.  Got a bit of movement, then a bit more.  Finally, after working both sides of both bearings, it spun freely.  10+ rotations a slap.

Took it back, installed it, and the dryer ran like a champ.

The dryer DID NOT HAVE a vent pipe.  So it was pulling moist linty air back in.  the lint on the motor was scorched!

I lectured about air circulation, humidity, and FIRE DANGER!  (To the wife {spanish} also).  You have such a pretty family.  Dryers burn down houses if they're not properly hooked up.  GET A VENT HOSE!

Couldn't guarantee the work, so if the bearings seize up again, we need a new motor.

But it ran, & no parts needed!

[JWWebster]

Great! It has a 50/50 chance of going a bit more or locking up.

[RegUS_PatOff]

don't touch it ...
RUN AWAY !

[Joebeef]

You shouldn't be doing stuff like this for insurance reasons.

[andersenappliance]

"Don't Touch it, Run Away!"

Ok...?

I'm not sure what the down side is. 

The lint is cleaned, the motor is clear, and it is spinning.  Might lock up again, but where is the danger?

[RegUS_PatOff]

if for any (hidden) reason it does cause a fire,
you may be responsible..
you were the last one to work on it, and gave it an "AOK"
None of the thermal devices are by-passed, etc ?

[andersenappliance]

Thanks for the reply. 

Nothing was bypassed.  I checked them all.  I also thoroughly cleaned all of the lint out of the machine.

There was not a spot of lint left on the motor or any of the wiring when I left.  The only problem was that to hook up a proper vent, they would need to cut a hole in the garage to vent to the outside.

I warned them they needed to get that done ASAP, and stressed the fire danger to both the husband and, in Spanish, to the wife.

I don't see that I left any unsafe condition that I could be responsible for, and I gave the option of buying a new motor to the customer.

I think it'll be fine, if they get a vent put in.  If they don't, then they will have a problem sometime in the future, but I expect that would fall on them or the landlord, if any.

I'm curious if the concern on this forum  is from getting the bearings rolling, or if it has to do with some other factor.

I'm always interested in people's thoughts.  It is better to learn from others experiences than to suffer through my own.

[JWWebster]

If the motor ain't turning the cent switch won't allow for heating. Most motor failure will be after the motor has been going awhile and then stopped. It simply will not restart. If the motor overheats it has an overload. As long as the rest of the components are in place and all is clean ANY motor new or rebuilt runs the same chance of quitting. My opinion.

[andersenappliance]

Thanks JW,

Good train of thought.  I think if it runs ok, they're ahead.  If the bearings go bad again, they'll need a new motor.  I figure its worth the gamble.

[Bailey]

When a sleeve bearing gets dry, hot, and seizes up the shaft and the bearing will be scored. At that point there really is no way to save the bearing. A little oil will get it going but it is already ruined.