I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I opened
it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently stretched, as it
had no traction. I bought a new one and found that it was the same length as
the old one. I installed it and the problem was still there. There is no way
the drum could have been dislocated, and the motor is firmly bolted down. I
finally concluded that there was only one way to get everything to fit and
operate properly. I have to increase the diameter of the idler pulley a
little bit. I wrapped a lot of duct tape around it and now it works- but
with a lot of noise. The only explanation I can think of is that the idler
pulley has worn down. But when I look at pictures of one online, it looks
just like the one I have - not thicker. I don't see a pile of white plastic
sawdust inside the dryer. But I can't think of any other explanation. Does
anyone else have experience with this? Do idler pulleys just wear down to
the point that they belt loses its tension? Is there some other explanation?

"Nick Danger" wrote in message
...
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I
opened it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently
stretched, as it had no traction. I bought a new one and found that
it was the same length as the old one. I installed it and the
problem was still there. There is no way the drum could have been
dislocated, and the motor is firmly bolted down. I finally
concluded that there was only one way to get everything to fit and
operate properly. I have to increase the diameter of the idler
pulley a little bit. I wrapped a lot of duct tape around it and now
it works- but with a lot of noise. The only explanation I can think
of is that the idler pulley has worn down. But when I look at
pictures of one online, it looks just like the one I have - not
thicker. I don't see a pile of white plastic sawdust inside the
dryer. But I can't think of any other explanation. Does anyone else
have experience with this? Do idler pulleys just wear down to the
point that they belt loses its tension? Is there some other
explanation?

Perhaps some lubrication might help - for example, motor bearings,
idler bushings, etc. Don't really know, just an idea.
Bob-tx

Nick Danger wrote:
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I
opened it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently
stretched, as it had no traction. I bought a new one and found that it
was the same length as the old one. I installed it and the problem was
still there. There is no way the drum could have been dislocated, and
the motor is firmly bolted down. I finally concluded that there was only
one way to get everything to fit and operate properly. I have to
increase the diameter of the idler pulley a little bit. I wrapped a lot
of duct tape around it and now it works- but with a lot of noise. The
only explanation I can think of is that the idler pulley has worn down.
But when I look at pictures of one online, it looks just like the one I
have - not thicker. I don't see a pile of white plastic sawdust inside
the dryer. But I can't think of any other explanation. Does anyone else
have experience with this? Do idler pulleys just wear down to the point
that they belt loses its tension? Is there some other explanation?

Was there no spring to apply tension to
the idler pulley? There is also a bearing
holding up the backside of the tub that
could be worn out allowing the tub to drop
down and make the belt too loose. If you
posted the model number I may be able to
look up the mechanical drawing and take a
look at what you have.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

Maybe tension spring for the idler pulley has gone soft?


"Nick Danger" wrote in message
...
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I opened
it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently stretched, as it
had no traction. I bought a new one and found that it was the same length
as the old one. I installed it and the problem was still there. There is no
way the drum could have been dislocated, and the motor is firmly bolted
down. I finally concluded that there was only one way to get everything to
fit and operate properly. I have to increase the diameter of the idler
pulley a little bit. I wrapped a lot of duct tape around it and now it
works- but with a lot of noise. The only explanation I can think of is that
the idler pulley has worn down. But when I look at pictures of one online,
it looks just like the one I have - not thicker. I don't see a pile of
white plastic sawdust inside the dryer. But I can't think of any other
explanation. Does anyone else have experience with this? Do idler pulleys
just wear down to the point that they belt loses its tension? Is there some
other explanation?

Most dryers have an spring loaded idler pulley ( similiar to a car)
that puts tension on the belt. The pulley is also connected to a
switch in the event the belt breaks or comes off, the dryer will shut
off, and it will not turn on until the problem is fixed.

Here is a website that lists the belt routing diagram for most dryers,
make sure that you routed it correctly.
http://www.repairclinic.com/0079.asp

Otherwise soundes like a broken idler pulley.

On Sep 20, 6:44�am, Mikepier wrote:
Most dryers have an spring loaded idler pulley ( similiar to a car)
that puts tension on the belt. The pulley is also connected to a
switch in the event the belt breaks or comes off, the dryer will shut
off, and it will not turn on until the problem is fixed.

Here is a website that lists the belt routing diagram for most dryers,
make sure that you routed it correctly.http://www.repairclinic.com/0079.asp

Otherwise soundes like a broken idler pulley.

its very easy to get the belt on wrong and difficult to see when
removing ands replacing

Blattus Slafaly wrote:
Uncle Monster wrote:
Nick Danger wrote:
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I
opened it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently
stretched, as it had no traction. I bought a new one and found that it
was the same length as the old one. I installed it and the problem was
still there. There is no way the drum could have been dislocated, and
the motor is firmly bolted down. I finally concluded that there was
only one way to get everything to fit and operate properly. I have to
increase the diameter of the idler pulley a little bit. I wrapped a
lot of duct tape around it and now it works- but with a lot of noise.
The only explanation I can think of is that the idler pulley has worn
down. But when I look at pictures of one online, it looks just like
the one I have - not thicker. I don't see a pile of white plastic
sawdust inside the dryer. But I can't think of any other explanation.
Does anyone else have experience with this? Do idler pulleys just wear
down to the point that they belt loses its tension? Is there some
other explanation?
Was there no spring to apply tension to
the idler pulley? There is also a bearing
holding up the backside of the tub that
could be worn out allowing the tub to drop
down and make the belt too loose. If you
posted the model number I may be able to
look up the mechanical drawing and take a
look at what you have.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

If the tub dropped down it would no longer fit in the front door collar.
It's more likely the tension spring. He may have put the belt on the
wrong side of the pulley. The springs are very tight and hard to stretch
while standing on your head.

If the tub dropped a little, the friction
could make the belt slip.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

"Uncle Monster" wrote in message
...
Nick Danger wrote:
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I
opened it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently
stretched, as it had no traction. I bought a new one and found that it
was the same length as the old one. I installed it and the problem was
still there. There is no way the drum could have been dislocated, and the
motor is firmly bolted down. I finally concluded that there was only one
way to get everything to fit and operate properly. I have to increase the
diameter of the idler pulley a little bit. I wrapped a lot of duct tape
around it and now it works- but with a lot of noise. The only explanation
I can think of is that the idler pulley has worn down. But when I look at
pictures of one online, it looks just like the one I have - not thicker.
I don't see a pile of white plastic sawdust inside the dryer. But I can't
think of any other explanation. Does anyone else have experience with
this? Do idler pulleys just wear down to the point that they belt loses
its tension? Is there some other explanation?

Was there no spring to apply tension to
the idler pulley? There is also a bearing
holding up the backside of the tub that
could be worn out allowing the tub to drop
down and make the belt too loose. If you
posted the model number I may be able to
look up the mechanical drawing and take a
look at what you have.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

The model is Maytag LDG412. I don't think I put the belt on wrong. I have a
new belt, and the package has an illustration showing how to thread it, and
I'm sure I'm doing it that way. Any other way would be completely
ineffective. The tension in the spring seems about right. It doesn't look
stretched or otherwise distorted. I've managed to get it just barely working
by wrapping lots of duct tape around the idler pulley, but I can't imagine
that that much plastic could have worn off it. The roller wheel is plausible
as possible culprit. It only needs a fraction of an inch to get things back
in place, and I don't see anywhere else that I can make adjustments to get
it to work. Also, I see some skid marks on the drum. Given that a new roller
wheel costs $7.90 on eBay, including shipping, I've gone ahead and ordered
it.

"Nick Danger" wrote in
:


"Uncle Monster" wrote in message
...
Nick Danger wrote:
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I
opened it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently
stretched, as it had no traction. I bought a new one and found that
it was the same length as the old one. I installed it and the
problem was still there. There is no way the drum could have been
dislocated, and the motor is firmly bolted down. I finally concluded
that there was only one way to get everything to fit and operate
properly. I have to increase the diameter of the idler pulley a
little bit. I wrapped a lot of duct tape around it and now it works-
but with a lot of noise. The only explanation I can think of is that
the idler pulley has worn down. But when I look at pictures of one
online, it looks just like the one I have - not thicker. I don't see
a pile of white plastic sawdust inside the dryer. But I can't think
of any other explanation. Does anyone else have experience with
this? Do idler pulleys just wear down to the point that they belt
loses its tension? Is there some other explanation?

Was there no spring to apply tension to
the idler pulley? There is also a bearing
holding up the backside of the tub that
could be worn out allowing the tub to drop
down and make the belt too loose. If you
posted the model number I may be able to
look up the mechanical drawing and take a
look at what you have.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

The model is Maytag LDG412. I don't think I put the belt on wrong. I
have a new belt, and the package has an illustration showing how to
thread it, and I'm sure I'm doing it that way. Any other way would be
completely ineffective. The tension in the spring seems about right.
It doesn't look stretched or otherwise distorted. I've managed to get
it just barely working by wrapping lots of duct tape

My hero!

around the idler
pulley, but I can't imagine that that much plastic could have worn off
it. The roller wheel is plausible as possible culprit. It only needs a
fraction of an inch to get things back in place, and I don't see
anywhere else that I can make adjustments to get it to work. Also, I
see some skid marks on the drum. Given that a new roller wheel costs
$7.90 on eBay, including shipping, I've gone ahead and ordered it.

On Sep 20, 10:59*pm, Red Green wrote:
"Nick Danger" wrote :







"Uncle Monster" wrote in message
...
Nick Danger wrote:
I have a 20-year-old gas dryer that stopped rotating its drum, so I
opened it up to have a look. I found that the belt had apparently
stretched, as it had no traction. I bought a new one and found that
it was the same length as the old one. I installed it and the
problem was still there. There is no way the drum could have been
dislocated, and the motor is firmly bolted down. I finally concluded
that there was only one way to get everything to fit and operate
properly. I have to increase the diameter of the idler pulley a
little bit. I wrapped a lot of duct tape around it and now it works-
but with a lot of noise. The only explanation I can think of is that
the idler pulley has worn down. But when I look at pictures of one
online, it looks just like the one I have - not thicker. I don't see
a pile of white plastic sawdust inside the dryer. But I can't think
of any other explanation. Does anyone else have experience with
this? Do idler pulleys just wear down to the point that they belt
loses its tension? Is there some other explanation?

Was there no spring to apply tension to
the idler pulley? There is also a bearing
holding up the backside of the tub that
could be worn out allowing the tub to drop
down and make the belt too loose. If you
posted the model number I may be able to
look up the mechanical drawing and take a
look at what you have.

[8~{} Uncle Monster

The model is Maytag LDG412. I don't think I put the belt on wrong. I
have a new belt, and the package has an illustration showing how to
thread it, and I'm sure I'm doing it that way. Any other way would be
completely ineffective. The tension in the spring seems about right.
It doesn't look stretched or otherwise distorted. I've managed to get
it just barely working by wrapping lots of duct tape

My hero!



around the idler
pulley, but I can't imagine that that much plastic could have worn off
it. The roller wheel is plausible as possible culprit. It only needs a
fraction of an inch to get things back in place, and I don't see
anywhere else that I can make adjustments to get it to work. Also, I
see some skid marks on the drum. Given that a new roller wheel costs
$7.90 on eBay, including shipping, I've gone ahead and ordered it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I bet the belt is on the wrong side of the tensioner, You have to put
the belt on with the tensioner greatly distorted to get it to go on
correctly. I have done the belt replacement on 3 similar dryers, and
I always have a problem getting the belt on correctly. I forget in
between each session, a sign of advancing age, I guess.

Bob Hofmann

"hr(bob) " wrote in message
...


I bet the belt is on the wrong side of the tensioner, You have to put
the belt on with the tensioner greatly distorted to get it to go on
correctly. I have done the belt replacement on 3 similar dryers, and
I always have a problem getting the belt on correctly. I forget in
between each session, a sign of advancing age, I guess.

Bob Hofmann

It looks like I'm going to be guilty until proven innocent. Stay tuned -
I'll post a pic tomorrow. It's too late at night now to crawl around in the
dust and lint in the laundry room and twist my body up like a pretzel just
to take a picture.

"Nick Danger" wrote in message
...

"hr(bob) " wrote in message
...


I bet the belt is on the wrong side of the tensioner, You have to put
the belt on with the tensioner greatly distorted to get it to go on
correctly. I have done the belt replacement on 3 similar dryers, and
I always have a problem getting the belt on correctly. I forget in
between each session, a sign of advancing age, I guess.

Bob Hofmann

It looks like I'm going to be guilty until proven innocent. Stay tuned -
I'll post a pic tomorrow. It's too late at night now to crawl around in
the dust and lint in the laundry room and twist my body up like a pretzel
just to take a picture.

I'm sure no one is paying attention to this thread anymore, but I'll post
for the benefit of future generations of dryer repair historians. This whole
issue started when I needed to replace the fan. In order to get at it, I had
to remove the assembly that holds the front of the drum in place. That
caused the drum to slip down and forward a little. It's no big deal - it's
easy to push it back into place and put everything together. However, there
is a groove around the circumference of the drum, close to where the belt is
supposed to be. The belt ended up slipping into the groove. With the limited
visibility through a small opening in the back of the dryer, it appeared
that the belt was where it was supposed to be, but it just didn't have
enough tension. After studying the situation for hours and concluding that
no part could have worn down sufficiently to make that much difference and
that everything was mounted firmly enough that it could not have shifted, I
finally had to start considering other alternatives, and realized that
moving the belt out of the groove would fix the problem.

Nick Danger wrote:

"Nick Danger" wrote in message
...

"hr(bob) " wrote in message
...


I bet the belt is on the wrong side of the tensioner, You have to put
the belt on with the tensioner greatly distorted to get it to go on
correctly. I have done the belt replacement on 3 similar dryers, and
I always have a problem getting the belt on correctly. I forget in
between each session, a sign of advancing age, I guess.

Bob Hofmann

It looks like I'm going to be guilty until proven innocent. Stay tuned
- I'll post a pic tomorrow. It's too late at night now to crawl around
in the dust and lint in the laundry room and twist my body up like a
pretzel just to take a picture.

I'm sure no one is paying attention to this thread anymore, but I'll
post for the benefit of future generations of dryer repair historians.
This whole issue started when I needed to replace the fan. In order to
get at it, I had to remove the assembly that holds the front of the drum
in place. That caused the drum to slip down and forward a little. It's
no big deal - it's easy to push it back into place and put everything
together. However, there is a groove around the circumference of the
drum, close to where the belt is supposed to be. The belt ended up
slipping into the groove. With the limited visibility through a small
opening in the back of the dryer, it appeared that the belt was where it
was supposed to be, but it just didn't have enough tension. After
studying the situation for hours and concluding that no part could have
worn down sufficiently to make that much difference and that everything
was mounted firmly enough that it could not have shifted, I finally had
to start considering other alternatives, and realized that moving the
belt out of the groove would fix the problem.

D'OH!! It's in the Oxford English Dictionary

[8~{} Uncle Monster