Kitchen Gas Appliances - Gas dryer makes a puffing sound

This Fridgidaire dryer came with the house and is about 4 years old. It runs great and dries great but it makes a sound like the flame is going out and coming back on immediately. I asked the propane supplier about it and he said to have an appliance person look at it. My husband thinks it has something to do with the glow plugs. Is this a potential safety problem? Or can we keep using the dryer. It has probably been doing this since we bought the house in May but I did not notice it until my dad said something about it. Thanks. Stacy in Houston

Hello Stacy. Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic and the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.

I suggest you have the burner assembly checked out if cleaning it yourself around the entire assembly does not resolve the problem. Likely to be excessive dust in the burner compartment and in the entire cabinet unit.

The most common cause for the problem you described can alos be a restricted exhaust vent or venting system. Therefore, I suggest you start there next.

Listed below is almost every part that can be the cause of the problem your describing. Excerpts from my prior postings.

The exhaust vent tube is located behind or to the side of the dryer. It needs to be removed totally from both the dryer side and the out side vent hood to completely clear out the lint.

Check the entire venting system. This also includes the exhaust vent hood outside. It has a flapper that may not be opening fully or not at all. Locate any restriction within the entire exhaust system and clean out all lint. Replace exhaust vent tubing as needed or if needed.

Other possibilities are: (Depending Upon The Type Of Noise)
Defective Glow Ignitor: (Hot Surface Ignitor) The glow ignitor may glow but just be too weak to allow current to continue to flow to the coils. The solenoid coils are also part of the electrical loop and may effect proper glow ignitor operation or functioning.

Defective Solenoids: There are two...both are on top of the gas valve. Solenoids also supply voltage to the glow coil and are part of the electrical loop. All terminals on both solenoids must have continuity. If not, you'll need to remove them from the top of the gas valve by removing the entire gas valve assembly first.

Remove both solenoids off the gas valve body by removing the holddown cover plate and replace them both if defective. They are sold only in pairs. Or take the entire gas valve unit to your local appliance parts store and have the entire assembly and all the parts tested individually and as an assembly.

Defective Gas Valve:
Remove entire unit as an assembly. Take the entire assembly to your local appliance parts store for testing. Gas valves are not repairable. Replacement is the only option if defective.

CAUTION: Do Not attempt to repair the gas valve! This is a non repairable item!

Dryer help info: http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=159481

Retail appliance parts dealers can also help determine what the most likely possible problem may be. They will need the make, model and serial numbers. Appliance parts dealers are an excellent source for original replacement parts and problem resolving matters. Dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.

Be sure the electrical power to the appliance is turned off, before attempting any repairs or services. Always check for gas leaks whenever moving the appliance and/or a service or repair includes any connection of a gas part.

Read the existing questions on the subject of dryers. Doing so will quickly provide you with answers to questions & provide additional information on how to resolve the problem.

Use the reply button to add additional information or ask additional questions. Doing so will automatically move or keep your question to the top of the forums list of questions.

Regards & Good Luck. Web Site Host, Forums Monitor, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

Thanks! Is the dryer easy to take apart and clean it out?

We plan on doing some remodeling. The washer and dryer are in a small utility room with the gas water heater. Is this safe to have the gas water heater with pilot light next to the gas dryer with glow plugs? We live in an unincorporated semi rural area with no code regulations. This was not brought up by the house inspector or the propane supplier (he did inspect every appliance and perform a leak test). We originally wanted to tear out the wall of the utility room and enclose the laundry and water heater into a closet with louvered folding doors. What do you think?

Stacy

Hello Stacy.

Dryer has access panel(s) behind it on the machine. Should allow full or partial access inside machine cabinet. Unplug the machine and vacuum out any lint. Some machines have a front burner access door in lower front left or front right. Some have a screw which has to be removed first while others the access door simply lift or pulls outwards.

Dryer in that utility/laundry room is okay, so long as there is plenty of air ventilation which should already be there. Air vents to outside air for combustion air, which is code and should already be there. Okay to have dryer in that room with hot surface ignitor as long as no appliance has any gas leaks, which you would be able to smell an odor long before now...:)

Louvered folding doors are okay for a dryer but not for a water heater and house heater. They must have vents to outside air for combustion air. Cannot be air taken from within house where breathing air is needed. Gas appliance need oxygen to burn fuel so it has to come from a source other than air inside where breathable air is needed. Huge code violation. Build room or enclosure to existing codes used in towns and cities where code apply. Check with licensed plumbers, contractors, inspectors and gas utility.