Maytag Dryer Fault

[dennyw]

Hello,

I have a Maytag electric dryer - Model LDE7314ACE.  A few months ago, my wife noticed that it was making noise and leaving black marks on the clothes.  So, I took it apart and replaced the bearings (skid pads) and drum rollers (one of which had basically disintegrated leaving an gap near the heating element).

After that repair, it ran like a dream.

Now, it is making an electrically hot smell and the there isn't enough torque to turn the drum.  I took the belt off and I can move the drum by hand.  With the belt on, the drum moves by hand, but is difficult.  Even with no clothes in the drum, pushing the start button causes a little noise with no drum movement.  If I push the start button, hold down the door sensor AND turn the drum by hand, it will start.

Is the motor fried?  Could it be something else?

Thanks.
Wayne

[JWWebster]

Did you oil the rollers and idler? I like to use zoomspout oiler because of its high heat resistant non evaporating propertys. You know it may be the bearings on the motor are dry. Their are no oil ports on these motors. You must make some. I like to drill out the wells on these motors and refill them with zoom oil. Sometimes I get lucky. I use a 1/8th inch drill bit and am carefull not to damage the shaft. I add rust buster also and work the motor by hand till it frees up. It beats buying a new motor.

[Repair-man]

Wayne;

It's just bad timing on the part of the motor. It is done for.

Perhaps all the overheating due to the worn rollers, etc just had too much drain on the old motor. At any rate, a new motor should  make this machine last another 20 years for you.

p/n  303358

The fact that both the right rear roller and now the motor has failed is a significant finding...it tells us that your exhaust system may be restricted. Unless you want more repairs in the near future, evaluate your vent situation. Maytag dryers should not be vented with thin foil or plastic.

[dennyw]

Wow.  That is an amazing diagnosis.  Yep.  For 16 years, we've had the dryer vented to the outside via a flexible, foil hose, the kind that looks like a big slinky with foil wrapped around it.

Thank you!

[AJ]

That is an amazing diagnosis.

What else would you expect from a amazing technician?