Whirlpool Do-It-Yourself Repair Manuals

Need a little guidance in fixing your appliance?

Whirlpool has released new Do-It-Yourself Repair Manuals for their Duet Front Load Washer and Dryer as well as one that covers Whirlpool Dishwashers.

Whirlpool Do- It-Yourself Repair Manuals

They’ve also come out with a Do-It-Yourself repair DVD & CD.  The DVD covers Duet Steam Washer, Cabrio Washer, Direct Drive Washer, 29″ Gas & Electric Dryer, 24″ Thin Twin Washer/Dryer Combo, and 27″ Thin Twin Washer/Dryer Combo.

The DVD also has in-depth training on Esterline charts, wiring diagrams & theory of operation. The video includes how to test and access the major components.

The CD has in-depth training on wiring diagrams and how to use test equipment to access the major components. The CD covers Duet HT Washer, Cabrio Washer, Direct Drive Washer, and 29″ Gas & Electric Dryer.

Still  need help?  AP Wagner carries all types of appliance repair manuals, visit us today to check them out!

Replacing your clothes dryer belt

Question: I’m trying to replace the belt on my electric dryer. I am unsure of which way to thread it on the pulley/tensioner system. The piece that comes from the center of the motor is directly under the bigger piece attached to the spring which I believe is the tensioner.

The tensioner is on an inverted V shaped piece of metal with the spring on the left as viewed from the back of the dryer through the access place.

I don’t want to guess wrong as it looks like it could go either way, but I’m sure it must have a proper direction to go.

Answer: Here’s a handy diagram that shows different clothes dryer drum and belt configurations. Choose the one that looks right for your clothes dryer. Thanks and credit goes to Jeff at Appliance Aid, repair tips and appliance repair help and JR Appliance Repair and Service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Even though Montgomery Ward is no longer around, GE or some other Manufacturer made the Montgomery Ward Clothes Dryer which is in your possession. We carry replacement parts for Montgomery Ward Clothes Dryers and other appliances.

Enter your clothes dryer model number in our appliances parts look up and you will be presented with a list of replacement parts suitable for your clothes dryer.

Upgrade your clothes dryer duct work to prevent fires in your home and business

All too often, I come across stories in the news about dirty clothes dryers and lint-clogged vents causing fires in homes and businesses. Here’s such a story from HartfordCourant.com in Hartford, Connecticut.

“EAST HARTFORD: Clothes Dryer Malfunction Cited In House Fire“. The cause of the fire was, “Backed-up lint in the clothes dryer.”

Plastic, foil covered clothes dryer ducts sag and bend easily, creating pockets that catch lint which can lead to a fire.

“The incident, while minor, should serve as a lesson on appliance maintenance, said Assistant Fire Chief William Perez, who said the dryer’s vent pipe was clogged with lint,”

Need more convincing? Here’s another story from The Grand Rapids Press in Michigan, about a business that was destroyed by fire. The cause of the fire was, again, lint in the clothes dryer.

“Dryer suspected as cause of business fire”

“Fire investigators told owners of a spa damaged by a fire Tuesday that lint in a clothes dryer likely caused the blaze.”

“Amy Glass was at the spa Tuesday morning and had been doing laundry. She started the dryer and left to go to her daughter’s home about a mile away. When she returned, the building was in flames. A passing motorist reported the fire.”

Read the rest of the story online: “Dryer suspected as cause of business fire”

If you have the kind of clothes dryer ducts made from easily bendable foil or plastic, upgrade your ducts to ones made of metal, like this Deluxe Dryer Venting Kit

Deluxe Dryer Venting Kit Whirlpool SK8WF -Sale price: $14.32

made by Whirlpool.  This clothes dryer venting kit will not only protect you against dangerous dryer lint build-up, it will also help your clothes dryer be more energy-efficient, helping you  save money on your energy bills.

If you have a long exhaust line, due to the design of your home or apartment, then  get the  Dryer Jet Booster by Whirlpool (Part number:9460DJ).

The Clothes Dryer Jet Booster will boost the drying power of your clothes  dryer and has an automatic on and off switch which can be  aligned  with the drying times used by your clothes dryer.

The Clothes Dryer Jet Booster will help reduce drying times, saving you money,  not to mention wear and tear on your clothes dryer.

Dryer Jet Booster Whirlpool 9460DJ -Sale price: $164.95dryer.

After replacing your old dryer duct work with better, safer, metal duct work, go outside to where your duct work exhausts and make sure your outside clothes dryer vent is properly protected with a dryer vent hood. This dryer vent hood by Whirlpool (Part Number: GVHAW4) comes preassembled and includes removable bird and pest guard to keep rodents and birds from entering your home.

If you are looking for more clothes dryer installation parts, check out

Dryer Vent Hood Whirlpool GVHAW4 - Sale price: $5.99

the selection online at AP Wagner Appliance Parts.com.

Why doesn’t my dryer drum tumble?

Dryers have a belt that turns the drum. If the belt is worn or broken, it

Idler Arm Assembly Frigidaire 5303212849 - Sale price: $19.95

can’t move the drum. Just replace the belt, and while you’re doing that, you may want to check the idler pulley. Wear on the idler pulley can cause the belt to break. Worn out glides and rollers can also create extra stress on the belt by making the drum harder to turn. If the drum is harder to turn, the extra stress could have broken the belt.

Clothes Dryer Drum Roller Maytag 31001096 - Sale price: $34.03

Normally, you can hear the motor running, especially if it’s the belt or idler pulley that’s the problem. If you don’t hear the motor, and you hear a buzzing sound instead, the motor may be seized and you’ll probably need to replace the motor or motor start capacitor. Remove the belt, then check for any blockages in the blower fan housing and try to turn the shaft on the motor by hand.

If it’s too hard or impossible to turn the motor shaft, and the blower fan housing has no obstructions; odds are that you need to replace the

Clothes Dryer Motor Whirlpool 279811 - Sale - $156.28

motor.

If the motor turns easily, run it for a few seconds. If it runs good without the belt, you may have a problem with the idler pulley or the drum rollers. Try rotating the drum by hand. If it’s hard to move, fix any problem with the idler pulley, glides, or drum rollers, reassemble the dryer, and test it again.

• Clothes Dryer Repair Help
• Find a Part for your Clothes Dryer by Make and Model
  
• Clothes Dryer Appliance Parts

How to clean your clothes dryer vent

When is the last time you cleaned out your dryer vent? Lint and debris can build up in your dryer’s vent work over time, blocking airflow and creating conditions that could lead to a fire. It is recommended that you clean out your clothes dryer vent at least twice a year. This can easily be done by using a vacuum with a hose attachment, a wet/dry vacuum, a dryer vent brush or a dryer vent cleaning kit.

Dryer vent cleaning kits come with a variety of brush attachments; some even connect to a standard drill bit making cleaning a breeze. The spinning action of the drill along with the brush attachment makes it easy to reach inside the vent and insures a thorough cleaning.

Dryer vent cleaning kits range in price and in the accessories they include. If you think purchasing a dryer vent cleaning kit might be too specialized, keep in mind you can use the brushes for cleaning around other appliances. The flexible hoses and skinny brush attachments can reach under and behind your appliances, helping to keep coils clean and your appliances working properly and efficiently; saving you money.

If you are looking to purchase a dryer vent brush, check out APWagner.com’s selection of appliance cleaning brushes.

Whatever tool you choose to clean out your clothes dryer vent, be sure to unplug your appliance first. Start with the inside of your machine and clean the lint trap of your dryer, remove the trap and use your brush or vacuum hose wand to remove any lint inside the trap compartment.

Now move to the outside of your clothes dryer. You dryer vent brush can be used to sweep under the machine to remove any dust. Be sure to get the back of your machine as well. This might require moving it out from against a wall or surface to properly clean those areas.

Now start with the vent work. If you have the plastic or the foil accordion type ventwork, check to make sure there are no holes, dents or kinks. If there are, it might be better to just replace these types of vents as any impairment will reduce air flow and increase the drying time of items.

Remove the flexible exhaust vent from the rear of the clothes dryer. Insert your vacuum wand or dryer brush as far as possible and remove any lint accumulation. Be sure to clean out the port from the rear of the dryer as well. Switch to the other end of the vent that leads to the exhaust vent, clean, and reattach both ends of the vent properly. Plug your dryer back in and start it back up.

Check the exhaust on the outside of your home for any obstructions. Be sure to plug the dryer back in and turn to make sure that air is flowing properly. If there is an obstructions near the vent area, remove them, but be sure that your clothes dryer is off and unplugged before you do so.

Related articles:

• How to Clean the Dryer, from DoItYourself.com
• Cleaning Out Dryer Vents, from ThisOldHouse.com

APWagner.com carries a variety of clothes dryer vent installation kits, clothes dryer vents, gas clothes dryer hook up kits, electric clothes dryer hook up kits, aluminum elbows, and other clothes dryer installation accessories. Find all your clothes dryer installation needs online at APWagner.com.

Why are my clothes coming out of the clothes dryer smelling smoky, marked, cut, torn, or wrinkled?

Before I post today’s blog, I would like to know, what are your questions about appliance repair? What topics would you like to see addressed? Please leave them in the comments section of this blog post, so I can possibly research and answer them in future blog postings.

If your clothes smell smoky after the clothes dryer, you might have had a small lint fire inside your clothes dryer cabinet. The smell from these fires can leave a smoky odor in the clothes drum and also on your clothes. This is a very serious problem and you will need to clean out lint trap after every use, remove any lint build up from your dryer vents, clean the inner ductwork of your dryer, and remove any lint build-up from the inside of your dryer cabinet.

Even though you have a lint filter in your dryer, it doesn’t catch all the lint. You need to check

Does it seem that the clothes dryer is RUINING your clothes? See what you can do to prevent it!

inside the cabinet at least yearly to look for and clean out any lint build-up. You also need to clean out the lint trap after every use. Be careful because many house fires are caused by lint build up in dryers and their vents. Keep your family safe by checking for lint buildup in the cabinet at least yearly. Install a smoke alarm near your dryer for added protection. Have a professional appliance repair person check the dryer for damage caused by any lint fires.

If your laundry is being marked up after being in the clothes dryer, it could be that your laundry is getting pinched in certain areas of the clothes dryer. When support parts for the dryer drum get worn out, the drum can get thrown off-balance. Check the clothing dryer’s glides, rollers, wheels, and seals for wear. Replace the whole set of glides, rollers, or wheels if one or more are bad. You will also want to check the rear support for any play in it. Sometimes the rear drum bearing gets worn out.

If your clothing is coming out of the dryer with cuts and tears, your clothes might be getting caught in the gap between the clothes drum and the front or rear of the dryer interior. Check to see if your dryer has a felt-like seal at the front and/or rear of the dryer drum. If the seal is worn, torn, or missing, you need to replace it.

If your clothing is coming out of your dryer wrinkled, you might have left them in the dryer for too long, after the cycle was finished. Try to remove the clothing as soon as the dryer cycle has completed. Other reasons for clothing wrinkling during drying include: improper sorting of the laundry, no fabric softener, too many or too few items to tumble properly, improper wash and dry cycles, wrong water level, and using water that’s too hot for the material.

To prevent and get rid of wrinkles on your clothing you can: remove clothes promptly from the dryer and either hang or fold them, dry only one load at a time, don’t pack the dryer too full, do not dry heavy items with light items, use the permanent press cycle to give clothes a cool down cycle at the end to reduce wrinkling, and lastly, you can always rewash and dry the clothes properly.

Finally, a word about clothes dryer sheets: you can use dryer sheets if you like, however, they have been known to leave an invisible filmy residue on the dryer drum, on your clothes, and the electronic moisture sensors, which basically makes the sensor useless.

Fragrance free dryer sheets are the most suitable for use as they contain less chemicals. Clothes dryer sheets can also clog lint filters or vents, so be careful. You can wash the lint trap in soap and water and scrub it with a nylon brush periodically to wash the filmy residue build-up from it.

For more information on how clothes dryers work, clothes dryer repair help and clothes dryer maintenance tips, visit the Repair Center at APWagner.com.

Here, you will find repair information and answers to your clothes dryer repair problems including:

• Why is my electric dryer causing fuses to blow or circuits to trip?
• Why is there no heat in my dryer?
• Why doesn’t my dryer drum tumble?
• Why isn’t the timer advancing?

And much, much more.

You can also order parts for your clothes dryer and we carry new parts for Admiral Clothes Dryer Parts, Amana Clothes Dryer Parts, General Electric Clothes Dryers Parts, Hotpoint Clothes Dryer Parts, Jenn-Air Clothes Dryer Parts, Kenmore Clothes Dryer Parts, and many more. Check out the complete list of clothes dryer manufacturer parts we carry.