Kitchen Gas Appliances - Gas Dryer Drum problem

My wife overloaded the dryer with two loads; she meant to allow the load to go for only several minutes, but she forgot about it and so it went through an entire dry cycle with a very heavy large load. When I came to put in the next load and start a dry cycle, it seemed the drum was stuck, or the motor was ceased up, or maybe burned out (I smelt a slight burn odor). I could reach inside and turn the drum manually, but it would not rotate when the machine was switched on. I could hear an electrical effort from the motor, so I thought maybe the drum was hung up. I took off the front panel and cleaned all the lint out with a vacuum; there was plenty of lint to clean. I also lifted the top panel and manually turned the drum again to ensure it wasn't hung up on something. To my amazement, after I put the panels back together, and turned on the machine without any laundry in it, the drum rotated fine. But when I threw a normal load of towels in the dryer from the washer, it wouldn't turn again, as if it was too heavy. So I put in only one towel, and it rotated. I kept adding towels one at a time, switching the dryer on and off as I put one towel in at a time, until I finally worked the entire load into the dryer. It is now working, but when I added the last few towels the drum struggled with a surge of noise before it before it got going. This is a Whirlpool LGC8858EQ1 gas dryer purchased almost 10 years ago. It is functioning, but seems to be out of whack since that huge load of laundry was mistakenly completed. Is it on its last leg, or are there any suggestions beyond cleaning out the lint (like maybe the tension between the belt and the drum need adjustment)?

thank-you for any advice.

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

Chances are the motors starter windings are burned out. When this happens, the motor has difficulties starting up. Or there may be some binding of the drum or rotating tube, often referred to as a drum.

But there is a difference between a drum and a rotating tube. The true type of drum will have a rear bearing where the tube does not. A rear bearing could be binding up when heated. Either drum or tube may be binding if the wear pads are worn out. Drum or tube may rotate by hand turning and seem ok but not be when weight of wet clothes is in drum/tube.

Additional Dryer help here: 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.

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"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."Gas Appliances Topic Moderator, Multiple Forums Moderator & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

Personal Driving Safety Reminder: Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
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