I opened bottom panel (found $7.00 in change!) to have a look. Gas is firing ok, but the length of time seems real short. I did not time it, but it fired for about 15-20 seconds, then clicked off and waited another 2-3 minutes, fired 15-20 seconds, off 2-3 minutes, etc. This was on a "warm" dryer. The load of clothes (very small load) had been in there 40 minutes and was still wet, but warm (not as warm as usual). I am wondering if there is a thermostat- controlled valve that may not be staying open long enough.

It is a Sears Kenmore, I think.

Any thoughts on how long the flame should stay on? It is a propane dryer, professionally modified from natural gas at the old house. I will check the air flow today ------ the air flow to outside vent seemed a little weak but hard to tell.

Thanks!

Hi,

Yes, lack of air flow though the dryer can cause the safety(hi-limit) thermostat to turn the flame off before it has a chance to heat up properly.

We would need the model# to check into this more.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

Try running the dryer with the vent off to see if the flame stays on for a normal length of time, this will tell you if it is a vent problem..

Jake and Pegi: Thanks for quick responses! Amazing the way air flow is the key to everything! I will check the exhaust vent all the way from the dryer to the outlet - may need to go under house.

One question- what drives the air flow? Is there a separate fan or is the drum used somehow to generate flow?

Thanks! kittyhawk

There is a blower fan driven by the motor...

Great - I will have a look! Thanks!

Saw the statement somewher on this board wher airflow is the cause of most dryer problems - how correct! Took the ductwork parat and found a lot of lint and one main obstruction. Looked that that obstruction was started by a cellophane-wrapped toothpick. Anyway, put things back together and it apparently works fine. Did not have a load of wet clothes to dry so we will find out today. Going from a cold start, the burner fired for about a minute before shutting off - I guess the drum heated up quickly with no clothes in it.

Went outside and checked the outlet - flow seemed a little weak still. I have some more duct work to do - moved the dryer to the other side of the closet last year to make space and the new duct has a couple of bends in it. I need to cut a new hole in the floor and shorten/straighten the outlet. The effort should pay off if the dryer does not have to run as long to dry clothes - less gas!

Does anybody have numbers for how long the typical firing sequence (fire, cool, fire, etc) runs for propane?

Thanks again!

It will vary with damp clothes in it. There is no set time. With damp clothes in it, it should keep the flame on alot longer than 1 minute, maybe about 3-5 or so.

Yea, the shorter your exhaust duct, the better.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

Well I thought I had it, but did not. Apparently, the duct under the house must be plugged also. What I have done so far:

1) Observed firing with dryer in "old" state (not drying). Would only stay on about 1 minute first cycle, then about 10-15 seconds each "on" cycle after that.

2) Disconnected outlet duct (about 9' long, more about that later) and observed. Ran perfectly, with firing time of about 4 minutes.

3) Disassembled and cleaned out 9' of duct. I had moved dryer to other side of closet to make space. Found one large lint ball and a lot of coating of the rest of the duct. Cleaned it out and reassembled. Dryer still would not dry; still firing less than 1 minute.

4) Discussed problem with friend who just remodeled upstairs; he informed me that the duct was most definately not to code - 90 degrees in 5' max. I had about 3 bends in it before it went into wall.

5) Disassembled everything and went back to original position - vent goes directly into wall - 1' straight shot. ----------- Dryer still only fired for 45 seconds!!!

6) Disconnected short vent from wall and started dryer ---- fired for 4 minutes!!!!!

7) Resisted need to take baseball bat to the whole system.

8) Preparing to go under house and have a look. Am eyeballing the brush/snake cleanout device from this website or I may just run a new duct. Just another home project... My motto - " make SURE it is completely broken and disassembled BEFORE calling the repairman!"

Yea, it sounds like even that short vent is causing a issue, buying the brush is a good idea, and probably running a new duct will solve the air flow problems.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances