Whirlpool Electric Dryer - doesn't get very warm

[GoldieGirl]

Hi all-

I have a Whirlpool dryer (circa 1990 or so) that I bought used.  It's never been the most efficient dryer, but now after some outrageous utility bills I'm on a mission to fix it or replace it.  Since it doesn't dry well, I've been having to split loads in half and run them for a solid hour to get them dry.  My Dad gave me some ideas to look at (too bad he doesn't live not closer), and said that dryers aren't terribly complicated machines--there are only so many things that could break on them.

He had me cycle the dryer with the door open (holding down the door switch).  It looks like the element in the back of the dryer comes on for a few seconds (maybe half a minute?) when the dryer is first started, but then turns off and doesn't come back on.  I waited a good 4 or 5 minutes.  I was thinking thermostat at first, but in some of my reading saw that those aren't nearly as common a problem as the heating element itself.

Do you have any insight on what to replace?  If it was the heating element is it possible for only part of it to go bad?  I definitely see the coil glowing in the back of the dryer.  Everything else about the dryer works fine.  Thanks in advance!

Model LE5770XWW0

[jumptrout51]

Remove the connecting vent from the rear of the dryer. Run a High heat Timed load at 50 minutes.
If it dries correctly, correct your exhaust vent problem and clean the lint internally from the dryer vent.. If not Replace the High limit thermostat.

[JWWebster]

You also need to remove the filter housing from the machine and wash it out. Those housing get a ball of lint right at the opening from the drum and down in the blower wheel.

[GoldieGirl]

Thanks very much!  Checking the vent was one of the first things I did... so I will order the part you suggest today.  Thanks again!!   

[JWWebster]

This is a whirlpool dryer right? And it drys but not good? You don't need to buy any parts. You just need to break that dryer down and clean out everything. A man brought me a 4 month old dryer from his boarding house and told me it was not drying too good and could I do something. I yanked out the filter and it had NEVER been removed from the dryer since it was bought. I found out later the boarding house was a home for adult special needs people. None of them had a glue. I broke down the dryer and cleaned it up real good. Never replaced any parts and charged him 20 bucks. Advised him to school his peeps. Anybody else would have gotten a lot more money.

[GoldieGirl]

I ordered the high limit thermostat and with shipping it was still under 20 bucks (HAPPY there!)

I think that when it does come time to replace it I will take the dryer outside and hose it down with the air gun.  You're right, I don't think it's ever had a thorough cleaning.  I've only had it for about 6 years, so who knows how it was treated prior to living with me.

[jumptrout51]

Do the 50 minute timed dry test first with the vent removed from the rear.

[GoldieGirl]

***UPDATE***

I replaced the high limit thermostat, while doing it I vacuumed out the back of everything well.  I watched it run and the element seemed to stay on longer.  Did a regular load of laundry (4 pairs of pants, 4 shirts) and it dried in about 60 mins.  Happy with that.

Started doing some laundry today and it seems like it's back to the way it used to be.  The element doesn't stay on very long (not more than a minute) and then turns off for a while.

We've checked and cleaned the vent and the vent pipe that goes up through our roof.

Any other ideas?  I'm wondering if there's not something going on to trip the thermostat? 

[JWWebster]

Did it dry the clothes ok?