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Broken Dryer: Fix or Replace?
(Ken Sternberg) wrote in
om:
The electric Whirlpool dryer that we inherited with the house four
years ago is broken. The drum doesn't turn but the motor makes a
humming noise. One repair person told me it could mean the motor's
gone, which he said would cost $200 to replace. The dryer is probably
at least six to 10 years old. The minimal checking around I did showed
that a new gas dryer costs about $270. I have gas lines into my house
and could install a gas model.
I don't think I'd replace the motor in this dryer, but even if the
problem is something else, labor and parts would likely add up fast.
Should I fix this machine or buy a new one? Thanks very much.
If you're at all handy, pull the back off the dryer and have a look. The
problem could be a drum drive belt that fallen off or broken. The part
should cost a few dollars to replace, and if it just slipped off, the
repair is free. If the belt is on and not broken, but the motor's not
turning, try, with the power off, rotating the motor a quarter turn or so,
then plug it back in and try it. If it turns now, you probably have motor
with a faulty winding. It'll work fine (for a while) as long as it doesn't
stop at the wrong place. Spinning the motor a little will keep the dryer
functioning for a while. If it only just hums but doesn't turn, the motor
is shot.
If you're not handy, never mind ;-)
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