Appliance Repair - Gas Dryer (1 Viewer)

[Keerock]

Our gas clothes dryer has stopped producing heat. Still spins/blows, but it's all cold air. Before I call in a repairman, what's the FFA experience in terms of:

1) Is this something I may be able to fix myself?

2) What is the expected cost for this type of repair?

3) Is it generally a good idea to just buy a new one instead of repair?

TIA

 

[Battles]

Obviously, it's either not getting the gas or it's not lighting the gas to produce heat. Assumption would be that the gas delivery hasn't changed, so it's probably something to do with the pilot automatically lighting the gas. Could be a fuse. Could be an igniter.

ETA:

1. You can fix it yourself if you sift through Youtube videos to trouble shoot the issue.

2. Parts would probably be $100 or less. Depends on dryer model. You can find an online appliance parts supplier and get an idea of cost after you learn possible problems through the video. Labor would probably be around $200 if I were to guess. Usually a standard fee to just show up and then hourly to fix.

3. Depends. Just buy some and you don't have to dry undies.

 

[Keerock]

Obviously, it's either not getting the gas or it's not lighting the gas to produce heat. Assumption would be that the gas delivery hasn't changed, so it's probably something to do with the pilot automatically lighting the gas. Could be a fuse. Could be an igniter.

ETA:

1. You can fix it yourself if you sift through Youtube videos to trouble shoot the issue.

2. Parts would probably be $100 or less. Depends on dryer model. You can find an online appliance parts supplier and get an idea of cost after you learn possible problems through the video. Labor would probably be around $200 if I were to guess. Usually a standard fee to just show up and then hourly to fix.

3. Depends. Just buy some and you don't have to dry undies.

Thanks. Everything I read online indicates it's probably the igniter. Easy to replace?

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

I just had this issue with my gas dryer. It was almost assuredly the igniter. I calculated the same prices for parts and labor as above ($300).

Mine was 19 years old, so rather than investing in something that is inefficient and old, I bought a new one for $700. I installed it myself to save $200, so I don't just throw money at it.

Dryers now last 10-12 years. If yours is more than, say 8 years old, then you might want to consider new.

There are several YouTube videos in DIY for repair if you go that route. You might need some extra tools and patience, though.

 

[Ignoramus]

I installed it myself to save $200, so I don't just throw money at it.

$200 for installation!?! As I'm sure you figured out, that's flat robbery.

 

[Keerock]

I just had this issue with my gas dryer. It was almost assuredly the igniter. I calculated the same prices for parts and labor as above ($300).

Mine was 19 years old, so rather than investing in something that is inefficient and old, I bought a new one for $700. I installed it myself to save $200, so I don't just throw money at it.

Dryers now last 10-12 years. If yours is more than, say 8 years old, then you might want to consider new.

There are several YouTube videos in DIY for repair if you go that route. You might need some extra tools and patience, though.

Thanks... yeah it's probably 8-10 years old at this point.

 

[Psychopav]

Watch some youtube videos for how to replace the igniter for your specific dryer, and price out the part. It might be a lot easier than you think. They only last 10 years if you think you have to get a new one whenever anything goes wrong. Fix it yourself and you'll be able to get a lot more life out of it sometimes. Good luck!

 

[Lutherman2112]

http://www.applianceaid.com/dryer-repair-help.php

This website helped me when I replaced an igniter in our oven and a pump on out washing machine.

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

I installed it myself to save $200, so I don't just throw money at it.

$200 for installation!?! As I'm sure you figured out, that's flat robbery.

I think that is Lowe's standard price. It is definitely robbery. My wife was the one talking to them and she called me at work. I told her to tell them to pound sand.

Took me about 15 minutes and I only needed to get $2 in parts.

 

[Dippa]

Watch some youtube videos for how to replace the igniter for your specific dryer, and price out the part. It might be a lot easier than you think. They only last 10 years if you think you have to get a new one whenever anything goes wrong. Fix it yourself and you'll be able to get a lot more life out of it sometimes. Good luck!

I agree. I have absolutely no experience with appliances and am not that handy, and I was able to replace the thermostat in my electric dryer from watching youtube videos. The part cost like $12 at a local appliance parts store, and it's already gotten me 2 more years out of this dryer.

 

[Psychopav]

Watch some youtube videos for how to replace the igniter for your specific dryer, and price out the part. It might be a lot easier than you think. They only last 10 years if you think you have to get a new one whenever anything goes wrong. Fix it yourself and you'll be able to get a lot more life out of it sometimes. Good luck!

I agree. I have absolutely no experience with appliances and am not that handy, and I was able to replace the thermostat in my electric dryer from watching youtube videos. The part cost like $12 at a local appliance parts store, and it's already gotten me 2 more years out of this dryer.

I've replaced the belt on my dryer, the killswitch on my dryer, a blower motor resistor for my car and am now changing oil in both of our cars myself, all thanks to youtube. I've saved a ton of money so far and plan to keep going until I electrocute myself, blow something up, or drop an automobile on my chest.

 

[MCguidance]

Pretty sure my dryer was bought in 1990. Still works well, but I'm fairly certain I'm wasting a ####ton of energy.

 

[Keerock]

Pretty sure my dryer was bought in 1990. Still works well, but I'm fairly certain I'm wasting a ####ton of energy.

My wife runs, on average, 3 loads of laundry per day. Insane. My energy bills are astronomical.

 

[Amused to Death]

Watch some youtube videos for how to replace the igniter for your specific dryer, and price out the part. It might be a lot easier than you think. They only last 10 years if you think you have to get a new one whenever anything goes wrong. Fix it yourself and you'll be able to get a lot more life out of it sometimes. Good luck!

I agree. I have absolutely no experience with appliances and am not that handy, and I was able to replace the thermostat in my electric dryer from watching youtube videos. The part cost like $12 at a local appliance parts store, and it's already gotten me 2 more years out of this dryer.

I've replaced the belt on my dryer, the killswitch on my dryer, a blower motor resistor for my car and am now changing oil in both of our cars myself, all thanks to youtube. I've saved a ton of money so far and plan to keep going until I electrocute myself, blow something up, or drop an automobile on my chest.

I'm not a handy person but I have successfully repaired my gas dryer. Once you open them up, there's not a lot to them. An ignitor should run about $15-$20. Invest an hour into attempting repair. Plenty of 5 minute youtube videos available. We had a 20 year old Whirlpool washer/dryer set that was repaired many times before we finally decided it was time for a new set. Repairs are usually cheap and quick if you can do them yourself.

 

[apalmer]

Before you do anything, check to make sure your exhaust isn't plugged with lint. Some models automatically cut off the ability to produce heat if the exhaust is plugged.

 

[Keerock]

Before you do anything, check to make sure your exhaust isn't plugged with lint. Some models automatically cut off the ability to produce heat if the exhaust is plugged.

Did that. It's clearer than my colon after my morning dump. Thanks.

 

[belljr]

when did lowes start charging for installs?

unless it wasnt a delivery

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

when did lowes start charging for installs?

unless it wasnt a delivery

We had it delivered. The install is for a gas dryer. Technically, you are supposed to pull a permit, change the connections and test it for leaks. All of that is supposed to be done by a licensed plumber. In my area, you can't get a plumber to show his buttcrack in your house for less than $150, so it is not really surprising.

 

[belljr]

hmm, lowes installed my stuff no issues, i didnt need them too but it was included, they must have had issues. this was also 8 years ago

 

[17seconds]

woah, woah, stop the clock

I had this issue and it ended up being a blown fuse which I picked up for $12 at sears. Kenmore dryer.

Get the manual for your dryer and locate the fuse for the ignition. Short it with a piece of wire and turn on the dryer for a minute. If you get heat, you just need a new fuse.

 

[Bucks]

I had the same symptom about a year ago. In my case turned out to be the thermal fuse. About a $10 part and less than 30 minutes of simple labor.

For parts highly recommend repairclinic.com. They are a national online supplier but are located in Canton on North side of Michigan avenue, west of the ice arena. Great prices, expanded walk-in sales hours (incl sat & sun), and very long return policy (I think 1 year). For a fridge repair I determined that it was one of 3 parts. Because of the liberal return policy I just bought all three at once and started swapping them out. 8 months later finally got around to returning the unused parts.

 

[Ignoramus]

woah, woah, stop the clock

I had this issue and it ended up being a blown fuse which I picked up for $12 at sears. Kenmore dryer.

Get the manual for your dryer and locate the fuse for the ignition. Short it with a piece of wire and turn on the dryer for a minute. If you get heat, you just need a new fuse.

Couldn't you just look at the fuse and see if it's blown without risking an electrical fire or electrocution?

 

[17seconds]

woah, woah, stop the clock

I had this issue and it ended up being a blown fuse which I picked up for $12 at sears. Kenmore dryer.

Get the manual for your dryer and locate the fuse for the ignition. Short it with a piece of wire and turn on the dryer for a minute. If you get heat, you just need a new fuse.

Couldn't you just look at the fuse and see if it's blown without risking an electrical fire or electrocution?

No, the fuse on mine was sealed in plastic. I actually shorted it with a screwdriver.

The world won't end if it ignites once via a short under supervision. It's the way the repairman would do it if he didn't have the part on hand.

 

[Ignoramus]

woah, woah, stop the clock

I had this issue and it ended up being a blown fuse which I picked up for $12 at sears. Kenmore dryer.

Get the manual for your dryer and locate the fuse for the ignition. Short it with a piece of wire and turn on the dryer for a minute. If you get heat, you just need a new fuse.

Couldn't you just look at the fuse and see if it's blown without risking an electrical fire or electrocution?

No, the fuse on mine was sealed in plastic. I actually shorted it with a screwdriver.

The world won't end if it ignites once via a short under supervision. It's the way the repairman would do it if he didn't have the part on hand.

Huh. Never seen a fuse that didn't give you some visual indication that it had blown.

 

[Lutherman2112]

woah, woah, stop the clock

I had this issue and it ended up being a blown fuse which I picked up for $12 at sears. Kenmore dryer.

Get the manual for your dryer and locate the fuse for the ignition. Short it with a piece of wire and turn on the dryer for a minute. If you get heat, you just need a new fuse.

Couldn't you just look at the fuse and see if it's blown without risking an electrical fire or electrocution?

No, the fuse on mine was sealed in plastic. I actually shorted it with a screwdriver.

The world won't end if it ignites once via a short under supervision. It's the way the repairman would do it if he didn't have the part on hand.

Huh. Never seen a fuse that didn't give you some visual indication that it had blown.

Thermal fuse isn't exactly like a fuse in a car/home fusebox. One can check the continuity of the fuse with an Ohm meter.

 

[17seconds]

woah, woah, stop the clock

I had this issue and it ended up being a blown fuse which I picked up for $12 at sears. Kenmore dryer.

Get the manual for your dryer and locate the fuse for the ignition. Short it with a piece of wire and turn on the dryer for a minute. If you get heat, you just need a new fuse.

Couldn't you just look at the fuse and see if it's blown without risking an electrical fire or electrocution?

No, the fuse on mine was sealed in plastic. I actually shorted it with a screwdriver.

The world won't end if it ignites once via a short under supervision. It's the way the repairman would do it if he didn't have the part on hand.

Huh. Never seen a fuse that didn't give you some visual indication that it had blown.

Well I didn't inspect it that closely. I wanted to see what would happen if I shorted an appliance with a screwdriver and turned it on.

 

[Keerock]

Flame sensor. $185. Glad i didn't try it myself... that would have been 3rd or 4th on the list to replace based on what I found online.

 

[stbugs]

hmm, lowes installed my stuff no issues, i didnt need them too but it was included, they must have had issues. this was also 8 years ago

Not sure on gas vs. electric, but I just got a new washer installed and the install/takeaway was free. I think it always is, so there must have been an upcharge on getting a gas dryer, which IMHO does make a little sense. Maybe not $200, but an electric dryer is literally plugging in a cord and securing the vent. Gas should be simple as well for a replacement, but definitely more than a plug in.

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

hmm, lowes installed my stuff no issues, i didnt need them too but it was included, they must have had issues. this was also 8 years ago

Not sure on gas vs. electric, but I just got a new washer installed and the install/takeaway was free. I think it always is, so there must have been an upcharge on getting a gas dryer, which IMHO does make a little sense. Maybe not $200, but an electric dryer is literally plugging in a cord and securing the vent. Gas should be simple as well for a replacement, but definitely more than a plug in.

As I mentioned, there is a big difference between electric and gas for dryers. Also, in the state of MA, you are supposed to have a licensed plumber perform the installation.