Thread Number: 85667
/ Tag: Vintage Dryers
Time to go? |
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Post# 1102240   12/27/2020 at 20:43 (820 days old) by EarthlyAmy (Barton, VT)   |   | |
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Our c. 1977 avocado Maytag dryer DE308 and matching washer came with our house in Northern Vermont when we bought it in 2003. Now I've moved on, to Washington, but the W/D are the only daily drivers left to my husband and child (19). He messaged me the other day to say the dryer's got no heat. Which doesn't surprise me. Something is up with the high-heat thermostat, the high heat wire or the heater coil. I fixed it myself about 4 times, and made sure the latest heater coil assembly allowed the coil to be replaced. But when is enough enough? My husband's not the slightest bit handy, asking my son to suddenly become adept at large appliance repair seems like a big ask. The washer washes, but requires fiddly pre-soaking and dial-turning - which might be something with the timer, I'm guessing. Is it time to replace them for something more (ahem) modern?
Photo posted is the latest fix 01/31/2020, second time the high heat wire shorted out.
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Post# 1102269 , Reply# 1   12/28/2020 at 02:51 (819 days old) by turbokinetic ![]() |
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... it's great to have your son learn to do this type of repair. It will benefit him greatly to get the hands-on experience. The dryer repair shouldn't be too difficult, I would expect.
Sincerely, David |
Post# 1102271 , Reply# 2   12/28/2020 at 05:32 (819 days old) by goatfarmer ![]() |
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Post# 1102272 , Reply# 3   12/28/2020 at 05:43 (819 days old) by Tomturbomatic ![]() |
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If you are losing heating elements this often, check for an obstruction in the vent. Check for lint buildups or blockage of the cap on the outside of the vent. |
Post# 1115598 , Reply# 4   4/25/2021 at 23:09 (701 days old) by EarthlyAmy (Barton, VT)   |   | |
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I replaced the awful foil accordian-type vent tube with 4" aluminum tubes and elbows myself so I know that's not it. I've been told that metal conflicts can cause these kinds of shorts. As a "hopeful" preventative I coated these connections with a high-heat goo on the last repair - obviously that did not do the trick as the latest repair only lasted 6 months. Sylvan has not got the dryer opened up yet to send me a photo so I could do some distance diagnostics, SMH.
Anyway, I am returning to Vermont for "vacation" in June, I'll order parts in advance and hopefully get them - the washer and the dryer - functional again. |
Post# 1115633 , Reply# 5   4/26/2021 at 11:35 (700 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)   |   | |
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