Kenmore Dryer problems

[NeverDone]

Hello! I have Kenmore Dryer, model # 86670100, serial # M64834818, and a random # hanging out by itself # 66701.

First sign of problem was a light jingling sound. Next time it stopped running completely. I jigled some things around and it dried another load. Next time it squealed loud and then it stopped running again.

The screws on the door switch were loose, but even after adjusting it, pushing the main "on" button got no response.

I thought the sound may have resulted from a bent idler & pulley or something stuck in the drum gasket. I removed the drum, idler & pulley. The belt was fine (I replaced it in the past), the gasket was worn & deteriorated. I turned on the dryer without the drum in place and it gave a squeal more shrill than before.

I thought it has to be the motor and/or blower wheel. I wanted to remove the motor so I could have it tested at the appliance repair store. That is when my problems really started. Holding the shaft behind the motor, I turned the shaft in front of the motor your typical lefty-loosey. Oops! (Guess I should've turned it the other way.) I broke the white plastic squarish thing that covers the shaft between the motor & the blower. Oh well, I'll get another one when I get my other parts, right? I don't know if that will ever happen because I can't get the motor out. I have tried many times and it's been a real downward spiral.

I'm too mad at it to simply buy another dryer and don't have extra money for one either. Can anyone tell me how to get the motor free from the blower? Thanks.

[Dan O.]

I have Kenmore Dryer, model # 86670100

The complete model number looks to be 110.86670100 making it a Whirlpool built model.

I wanted to remove the motor so I could have it tested at the appliance repair store.

Most appliance parts stores can or will NOT test a dryer motor. It's more difficult that just a simple fridge fan motor, etc.

LINK > Kenmore 110.86670100 Replacement Motor

Holding the shaft behind the motor, I turned the shaft in front of the motor your typical lefty-loosey. Oops! (Guess I should've turned it the other way.)

Dryer fans are typically screwed on with a left-hand thread (opposite of a jar lid).

I broke the white plastic squarish thing that covers the shaft between the motor & the blower.

The blower has a square part at the back of it (see the following link). It is part of the fan.

LINK > Kenmore 110.86670100 Blower Fan

Oh well, I'll get another one when I get my other parts, right? Can anyone tell me how to get the motor free from the blower?

Those blowers often get seized onto the motor shaft and have to be broken or cut off and just replaced along with the motor.

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[NeverDone]

Thanks for responding. I thought I could get the motor tested because a couple months ago my ex-husband told me I could take a motor from another broken item to a certain electrical place goes to & have it tested. Since the appliance store near me tested an item for my oven last month, I figured they could test my dryer motor. After I read your post I called them & they don't test motors, but could sell me a new one.

I broke the blower fan to get it off the rest of the way. I bought a new blower fan, motor, and gasket for rear of drum. Before I put the motor on, can anyone tell me if I really needed it, or if that was another dumb assumption I made.

(Aside from the noise & intermittent running, when it did run, heating & tumbling worked as they should.)

I think I need a new motor because the last few days of the dryer's life, it:

• squealed while running
• intermittently ran, then failed to run, then ran again
• squealed louder, even after I removed the drum, idler & pulley, and removed debris from lint chute & blower fan areas

At $ 99.80 for a motor, I don't want to replace it if it isn't the cause of the problems.

Was I right or wrong to conclude that the motor needs replaced? And if I was wrong, what is the likely cause, and solution?

Thanks for your help. It is appreciated very much!

[Dan O.]

** Since the appliance store near me tested an item for my oven last month, I figured they could test my dryer motor. **

Stove elements (if that's what you had tested) are a fairly simple matter to test (see the following link). Many moving parts (motors, etc.) are often another thing entirely.

LINK > How do I test an electric stove element?

** squealed while running **

From the motor?

** intermittently ran, then failed to run, then ran again **

Was the motor still getting power when it stopped? If the motor was getting power but not running, it would likely be defective if it wasn't just plugged with lint and dust, etc. causing it to overheat and cut out on its internal overload protector.

** squealed louder, even after I removed the drum **

If the sound was coming from the motor and there is not something just rubbing against it, the motor could very well be defective. Yes,

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

[NeverDone]

Wow, that was quick! The oven (yes, it was the element) doesn't matter presently, I was just stating why I assumed the dryer motor could be tested & that I didn't realize the store wouldn't test it until I read your response. So thanks for pointing that out, so I didn't have to take the motor there.

You asked if the squealing while running came from the motor. While all parts were still in place, I had no idea where the sound was coming from. I suspected the belt, idler & pulley, worn support rollers, or something caught in the drum seal or blower. When I removed the drum, I saw that each of those parts were fine. With the drum, belt, idler & pulley removed and only the motor & blower fan remained, it still squealed loudly when turned on.

Regarding the intermittent running and failing to run, it was plugged in, so there was power, but some of the times I pressed the on button and nothing happened. No sound, no hum or buzz. Nothing. A few minutes later I tried again and it ran. It was squealing, but running.

There was a lot of lint on the floor of the dryer and on all parts, including the motor. I thought that might have been what killed the motor, but I don't know that for sure. I saw the seal at the rear of the drum is very much deteriorated ( and thought that contributed to lint getting where it shouldn't be? Am I wrong again? I wish I could get something right. This is really frustrating!), which is why I bought a new seal when I got the blower fan & motor yesterday.

You mentioned that lint could have caused the motor to overheat. Might that explain why it ran intermittently? Maybe lint made it overheat & after it cooled, it ran again? If so, how can I know if overheating caused permanent damage to the motor or if a good cleaning will do the trick? And if this was the problem, what would have caused the squeal?

I hope you can answer this, but if you don't have time, I hope you have a good weekend! Thanks for your help!

[HayZee518]

most dryer motors are openly constructed with minimal metal to afford cooling off of the windings. they usually have a welded bracket on which they mount and sort of a hinge which bolts to the bottom. the weight of the motor keeps tension on the belt and the idler just snugs everything up. A shop would have to need a vast array of test stations for all the dryers out there. different setups for capacitor start/run or capacitor run or just start. besides the main winding.
good luck

[NeverDone]

??????????
I know the shop can't test the motor.

I was wondering whether or not it is possible to determine:

• if I was wrong to conclude that I need a new motor?
• If excess lint could have caused the symptoms? & might cleaning the motor solve the problem?
• if the motor did overheat, is permanent damage guaranteed or just a possibility?
• if an overheating motor can cause the intermittent running, not running, then running again?
• what could cause the high-pitched squealing, even when the motor & blower fan were the only things left in the dryer?
• if I should definately replace the motor, or if I didn't provide enough information to determine that?

I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by NeverDone

Regarding the intermittent running and failing to run, it was plugged in, so there was power

Power right to the motor is what is important, not just to the dryer. There are several things in a dryer that could prevent power from getting to the motor even if it was still getting to the dryer. Confirming if power was actually getting there *at the time of failure* would rule out problems elsewhere in the appliance being possible causes.

I saw the seal at the rear of the drum is very much deteriorated and thought that contributed to lint getting where it shouldn't be?

Very likely. The dryer probably wasn't drying well either with that seal in poor shape... maybe for quite a while??

You mentioned that lint could have caused the motor to overheat. Might that explain why it ran intermittently? Maybe lint made it overheat & after it cooled, it ran again?

Yes.

If so, how can I know if overheating caused permanent damage to the motor

It doesn't really matter why the motor failed, just whether it really has or not. But the motor overheating due to external factors (lint, etc.) would not usually cause the motor to make any odd sounds.

And if this was the problem, what would have caused the squeal?

If the sound is coming from the motor and not just something rubbing against it or elsewhere in the dryer, it would likely be caused by bad motor bearings in which case the motor would need to be replaced.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[NeverDone]

Thank you, I appreciate your help!

Since you said

If the sound is coming from the motor and not just something rubbing against it or elsewhere in the dryer, it would likely be caused by bad motor bearings in which case the motor would need to be replaced.

and, no, there was nothing else that could have been rubbing anywhere, then I'll go ahead and put the new motor in.
Thank you again!

[Dan O.]

Originally Posted by NeverDone

I'll go ahead and put the new motor in.

Let us know how you make out.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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