Quick question on replacing dryer elements and thermostats/fuses

[406appliances]

Hey everyone,

I've started working on more dryers lately and just had a quick question for those more experienced than 4 months of messing around with appliances lol. I've noticed that a lot of dryers here get replaced simply for having a bad heating element/not heating (professional repair costs for a tech is too expensive I guess). From what I've seen a common practice on a dryer with a bad element is to replace both the element and the fuses/thermostats at the same time. I was mainly wondering what the reason was for that? Any thoughts/viewpoints on the subject would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dan O.]

From what I've seen a common practice on a dryer with a bad element is to replace both the element and the fuses/thermostats at the same time.

IMO There is no reason to replace the fuses/thermostats unless they test or appear to or you have reason to think, they might be defective. Some technicians might replace everything trying to 'cover their ass' (CTA) to try to avoid a recheck in the future. After all, it is the customer paying for the added parts and not them. However, that also leads to a more expensive repair and less likely to be called again to fix it in the future. "I might as well just replace it..."

I personally knew at least one technician that would replace the defrost heater, limit thermostat AND defrost timer whenever any part of the defrost system failed regardless, to CTA.

I've always been honest with my customers and perform the work I found to be necessary. If I should get a recheck in the future I'd bite the bullet. I didn't get many to worry about it.

JMO

Dan O.

 

[406appliances]

Update:

All I have to say is I'm glad I put warranties on appliances. I had a dryer with a faulty thermal fuse that failed in the field 3 weeks after a customer bought it. After careful consideration and running the numbers, I have decided to start doing a shotgun replacement of all the fuses and elements on the dryers I sell. I know in some respects, that is overkill, but I really don't want to be known as "that guy" when it comes to selling appliances. On the basic dryers it adds a little bit of cost, but is significantly more reliable. I'll be able to make up the cost as well with a small price increase.

Thanks for everyone's input on this. I really appreciate it!

 

[Dan O.]

I had a dryer with a faulty thermal fuse that failed in the field 3 weeks after a customer bought it.

There are other, more likely causes of the thermal fuse blowing. A defect in the part itself is least likely IMO.

But if you're replacing the parts on a machine prior to its sale (you never did say that), than replacing any parts with new is acceptable. I was under the impression you were repairing an appliance for a customer. In that case replacing every part in the heater circuit when just one has failed is overkill IMO but is up to you.

JMO

Dan O.