dryer repair?

[yendi]

Anyone know anything about fixing a dryer? The old Whirlpool that we got with this house (and which our landlord told us was not a part of the deal -- when it dies, it dies, etc) seems to be dead. It's the tumbler that's broken -- there's heat but no spinning. Anyone know if this sort of thing is fixable/worth getting a professional?

Our alternative is probably a dryer rental.

Comments

[robyn-ma.livejournal.com]

'Our alternative is probably a dryer rental.'

www.dryerflix.com lets you have two dryers out with no due date for $19.95 a month.

[hockeyrules88.livejournal.com]

does this mean netflix lets one have 2 nets out with no due date? I'd like a fishing net and a hammock. :)

[yendi]

Not a hockey net?

[yendi]

Yeah, but have you seen the size of the pre-paid mailers? I don't have the storage space.

[terminusvox.livejournal.com]

If it comes down to it you can probably find a used or refurbished dryer for around $100. When I lived in Decatur I had to buy one from a shop called "Crazy Mark's" on the corner of East Ponce and... oh damn. what the hell's the name of that street? North Decatur Road?

[yendi]

I know exactly where that intersection is. If it does come down to it, I might resort to getting a refurbed one. Thanks!

[lunza.livejournal.com]

For that matter, you can get a good new one for $250-300 or so. I think it's worth the investment unless you're planning to move far away shortly.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

Might be worth seeing if a belt has died.

[yendi]

Thanks -- that seems to be the consensus possibility. I'll check it out.

[softlywhispered.livejournal.com]

Funny you mention that, ours just died, but the landlord fixed it. Ours was a heating element. Sounds like your belt might be broken. Could be a simple fix, or could be expensive. See if there;s a decent used applience shop in the area as terminusvox suggested.

[felician-logic.livejournal.com]

It's likely the drum belt, which should be replacable, depending on the make and model. If the drum belt is in place but not turning, then you have a motor down, which is a whole other kettle o'fish.

[robyn-ma.livejournal.com]

Then again, if you've been dumping kettles o' fish into your dryer, you can't be too surprised when it goes poopnuts. :)

[terracinque.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but who doesn't enjoy dried fish?

[felician-logic.livejournal.com]

Unless it's a Kettle O' Fish 5000 Dry-o-Matisimo. No poopnuts in THAT model. No siree.

[yendi]

Cool -- now the trick is seeing how easy it is to find a belt. And install it, but that comes later.

[felician-logic.livejournal.com]

http://www.bobvila.com/FixItClub/Task/Repairing/FIG_ClothesDryer.html

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Check the belt. This is fixable and not that expensive

[yendi]

Excellent! I'd love it if it turns out to be something basic like that.

[enchant.livejournal.com]

ever tried freecycle? I hear people get rid of those things left and right. or craigslist for a used one.

good luck, I'm not the fixit type myself

--Thompson

[yendi]

I've considered both routes, but since we're moving in less than six months, I'd rather avoid one more big thing to deal with (especially since the catch with free dryers, as was the case with this one, is that one never knows how long they'll last). That said, both sites are definitely ones I'll consider. Thanks!

[ian-gunn.livejournal.com]

I have fixed a similar problem before. It is doable with the right tools and the time to puzzle out the problem. Screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench or wrench set are the tools likely to be needed. I ended up calling the manufacturing tech support line when it was not obvious to me how to disassemble part of it without breaking something. They had a flat rate for the incident, about $20 or so, and I called 2-3 times. It cost me that $20, about $5 in parts and 2-3 hours time to fix it.

[yendi]

Cool -- I'll spend some time researching what's out there in terms of their support. Thanks!

[thryn.livejournal.com]

Check the classifieds. you should be able to get a decent dryer for less than $100. Mine was $25.

[rubian77.livejournal.com]

Belt sounds like your best bet. But check your fuses, too.