Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Dryer Will Not Dry
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dolson
11-24-05, 06:20 PM
I have an Amana Electric Dryer (model LED20AW) which is 8 years old. I started noticing that the clothes took longer and longer to dry (takes over an hour to dry sheets). Finally I unhooked the dryer from the outside vent and seen that the vent was full of lint so I cleaned it out, shortened the flexible tubing and thought all was well. When I turned it on hot air would fill the flexible tubing but it still takes a lot of time to dry things. Also my lint catcher hardley ever has anything in it.
I think now I have figured it out. When I took my front door lint catcher sceen out I took a flashlight and looked down into the dryer and I can see that it is full of lint! I took a wire clothes hanger and put down there and pulled a little out but I can tell it is packed.
The big question I have is how in the world do I take the dryer apart to get all of the lint that is in the dryer beneath the drum out?? I don't know where to start. Not a lot of visible bolts etc... is this something a novice person can do or will I have to have a repair person out? Are there inexpensive service books on Amana products that you can buy? I am hoping I can figure it out.
I took a putty knife to see if I could unlatch the top but had no sucesss. Also, is that where I need to go to get the lint below the drum cleaned or do I need to go in from the bottom?? I'm lost, HELP!!
Any help on how to clean the dryer out would be greatly appreciated!! Happy Thanksgiving!
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I think now I have figured it out. When I took my front door lint catcher sceen out I took a flashlight and looked down into the dryer and I can see that it is full of lint! I took a wire clothes hanger and put down there and pulled a little out but I can tell it is packed.
The big question I have is how in the world do I take the dryer apart to get all of the lint that is in the dryer beneath the drum out?? I don't know where to start. Not a lot of visible bolts etc... is this something a novice person can do or will I have to have a repair person out? Are there inexpensive service books on Amana products that you can buy? I am hoping I can figure it out.
I took a putty knife to see if I could unlatch the top but had no sucesss. Also, is that where I need to go to get the lint below the drum cleaned or do I need to go in from the bottom?? I'm lost, HELP!!
Any help on how to clean the dryer out would be greatly appreciated!! Happy Thanksgiving!
E-mail addresses not permitted in Forums. This keeps you from receiving unwanted spam
Sharp Advice
11-25-05, 06:09 AM
Hello: Dolson
Most dryers the front panel must be removed first, to access the inside cabinet. Look closely around the circumference of the door frame. Likely to find screws. Also check at the very bottom of the front panel. Remove any screws found.
Once the screws are removed, some dryers the bottom of the front panel lifts upwards and outwards, pivoting at the top. I.E. pivoting like a garage door. On some models, once front panel is removed there will be two screws holding down the top lid.
On some models there is two clips about two to four inches inwards from the outer edges. Pushing the clips inwards, pops the top lid up. Than there are two screws to remove which allow the front panel to be removed.
There should also be a back removeable access panel down low. Remove it and clean the lint out. Also allows access to the motor and blower fan assembly, on some models.
Principle idea is the machine was assembled and therefore can be disassembled. Look for how it could have been assembled to determine how to take it apart. :thumbup:
More info can be found in the stickie notes in my gas appliances topic.
Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice
Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
Most dryers the front panel must be removed first, to access the inside cabinet. Look closely around the circumference of the door frame. Likely to find screws. Also check at the very bottom of the front panel. Remove any screws found.
Once the screws are removed, some dryers the bottom of the front panel lifts upwards and outwards, pivoting at the top. I.E. pivoting like a garage door. On some models, once front panel is removed there will be two screws holding down the top lid.
On some models there is two clips about two to four inches inwards from the outer edges. Pushing the clips inwards, pops the top lid up. Than there are two screws to remove which allow the front panel to be removed.
There should also be a back removeable access panel down low. Remove it and clean the lint out. Also allows access to the motor and blower fan assembly, on some models.
Principle idea is the machine was assembled and therefore can be disassembled. Look for how it could have been assembled to determine how to take it apart. :thumbup:
More info can be found in the stickie notes in my gas appliances topic.
Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice
Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."
dolson
11-25-05, 10:02 AM
I'll get my tools out and give it a try. Thanks! Will let you know how it turned out. :)
ecman1
11-25-05, 06:24 PM
Also, while it is apart, you will be exposing the blower wheel. Make sure there isn't Bounce sheets, socks, dollar bils, schol paper, etc., binding or clogging this blower wheel. Rotate the drum by hand and see that the blower wheel turns freely, along with it. Also, try to clean off the caked on gunk off the vanes of the blower wheel, to bring the blower wheel back into the condition for moving more air volume. That is the key to quickly drying clothes! All the heat in the world inside will not matter if you don't get rid of the steamy vapor - and quickly.
I am an expert at transforming college student dryers into being like new again, once I am done with them. Too bad you don't live across the street from me. :)
Also, on some dryers, there is a plastic grill with square waffly holes in it, located directly behind the lint screen to the inside of the drum. People overlook the fact that with such set ups, these holes must be unclogged of lint also! Fabric sorftener sheets void many warrantees. Did you know that? (Not that it matters, to most people, though), because it gives off a residue that can make lint screens get a goo on them that even though you clean the screen, overtime there is still this clogging residue. I have taken them out and sprayed Castrol Super Clean on them and cleaned them, and then reinstall.
I am an expert at transforming college student dryers into being like new again, once I am done with them. Too bad you don't live across the street from me. :)
Also, on some dryers, there is a plastic grill with square waffly holes in it, located directly behind the lint screen to the inside of the drum. People overlook the fact that with such set ups, these holes must be unclogged of lint also! Fabric sorftener sheets void many warrantees. Did you know that? (Not that it matters, to most people, though), because it gives off a residue that can make lint screens get a goo on them that even though you clean the screen, overtime there is still this clogging residue. I have taken them out and sprayed Castrol Super Clean on them and cleaned them, and then reinstall.