I have a 14 years old GE gas dryer; there are 2 problems:

1. The spinning is having a sqeaky noise forever (at least 5-6 years), is it something easily replaced? Obviously I will need to open up the machine to replace something? Is it even worth it given it is already 14 years?

2. Today, it stopped giving heat. It spins; but at first no heat. I washed the lint catcher, then it was giving heat but very low (not high temp like before). I waited some more, it would get back to normal for a while. Where do I begin to check for problem?

3. With all these problems? Is it still worth to investigate and try to fix? Or would I be better off looking for replacement?

Hi,

14 years old is very good for a dryer to last nowadays, so it wouldn't be out of the question if you decided to buy a new one.

What I find when these GE models squeak like that is the rear plastic bearing shaft and the front support/glides are bad.

Rear drum bushing/bearing, fits many GE and Hotpoint dryers, there are several bearings, use your model number for proper identification, 1ea. Part#WE3X75


Manufacturer part number WE3X77 is RepairClinic item number 2359


You would need to order the 3 glides with it as well.

You have the newer style GE dryer, Jeff has a good help link to take it apart here:
http://www.applianceaid.com/take-apart.html

Here's a link about the squeak sounds as well:
http://www.applianceaid.com/ge-dryers.html#noise

For the heating issue, first pull your dryer away from the wall and remove the vent exhaust hose, then dry a load without the exhaust hose on and see if it drys normal, if it does, then its likely a vent restriction in your exhaust hose to the outside of your house.

If it still doesn't dry properly, then its possibly the gas coils are bad.

Here's the gas coil kit for your model:
Gas valve solenoid coil kit


Here's a help link as well:
http://www.applianceaid.com/gas_dryer.html#noheat

Jake

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So I bet you must receive this type of questions a lot

I am now in the market for a pair of washer and dryer. What is the most reliable brand out there? We have 3 small kids so you would say the load demand is high. And our last pair lasted 14 years so our expectation is high too.

It seems the LG Tromm has all the hype these days. I found the comments go 2 polar extremes. Most people seem to love it and give it 5 out of 5; but there are always a few 1's out there because of the shaking and the mildew....

The local Home Depot is running a pretty good discount on the pair. Before I plop down the $$ just want your opinion.....(or comment on alternatives)....

Thanks.

Well, to tell you the truth, I've never worked on the LG washers or dryers, as Sears didn't sell them when I worked at Sears, so I never had any training on them. Sears did sell the LG refrigerators, and I changed a few parts on those, and the problem was getting the parts sometimes took 2-4 weeks, as LG appliances are made in South Korea, and you had to wait for the parts to come from their.

So, I always recommend buying domestic, like Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore.

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

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Jake: I appreciate your input re: buying domestic and I am totally in agreement with you.

Another pair that I am looking at is the Whirpol duet sport that Costco currently is selling for $1699 with the pedestals. But the reviews I read on BestBuy is pretty horrible. They are the WFW8410SW and WGD8410SW I believe. Can you comment on them?

Thanks.

The Whirlpool Duet Sport is a good machine, but it holds a smaller amount than the normal Duet, thus some people pack them to full and thats when parts start breaking, due to overloading.

I'd say spend the extra money and get the Normal size Whirlpool Duet or Maytag Epic.

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