Maytag DE106 Dryer Not Heating Enough

[kxbronco]

I'm a newbie here.  My dryer is not heating like it should.  It does heat up, but takes forever (45 minutes for an average load) to get things dry.  I'm guessing that it is heating element related, but don't know for sure.  Any suggestions as to what I should check would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

[Spannerwrench]

The air flow, that's probably the number one service call I get on a dryer taking a long time to dry, and the remaining ones that have a heat problem are usually caused by poor air flow. 

[dab147315]

This is a old dryer and all dryer vents need to be clean out every couple years but 45 minutes is in the ball game for sure.Most people complain that dryer is as to run 70 to 80 min.or so.A load of jeans would take about 60 minutes .

[kxbronco]

Thanks for the quick replies.  It's definitely an old dryer and has served me well.  I've had it for approx 27 years and my grandmother had it before then.

So 45 minutes sounds about right.  As for the air flow, where do I need to look to make sure there are no obstructions?  I assume you are not talking about where it vents to the outside.

Thanks,

Chris

[dab147315]

Take duct off at back of dryer and fill air flow there first.Common  problem with this dryer is broken blower wheel but i don,t think thats your problem.Then you would have very long dry time and no air coming out of back of dryer.Where the lint filter goes it can build up lint in there causing longer dry time that would have to be clean out.Front panel comes off to get inside maybe you can google model # and find a u tube video.Still 45 minutes is good.Any kind of noise that the dryer is making that it did not before ?

[kxbronco]

Thanks for the reply Dab. I will take the duct off the back and check the air flow. I'll also check the lint filter area.

It's been this way for some time. The dryer doesn't make any unusual noises.

One other thing to ask about. The timer doesn't work anymore. The dial/knob starts and stops the dryer just fine, the timer part just doesn't work. Can you get a replacement timer for the DE106 these days?

Thanks,

Chris

[tgoods]

Can you get a replacement timer for the DE106 these days?

Yes, 33302454.

[Bailey]

These old dryers were called Halo of Heat models because the element is in the front around the door.There is a felt seal that is glued to the front of the drum.This makes sure all of the air passes across the element before it enters the drum.The seal is very close to the element and over time dries out and falls off.Then the blower can suck air into the drum that has not been heated and it becomes less efficient. Every one I ever worked on needed this seal. To get to it or the element you take off the entire cabinet.Take the back off first,disconnect the wires to the motor and thermostat and then remove three #3 phillips screws along the bottom on each side. Go around to the front and grab the cabinet and pull it off.There may be pieces of the seal laying on the floor of the base. Use a high temp glue to put the new one on. These dryers work without it but work better with it.

[dab147315]

Bailey This is not a halo heat dryer but it must be close to being the first Maytag dryer build after HALO.Two Phillips screws in front and front panel comes off.

[dab147315]

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drive-Belt/Y312959/1246110#repairHelpVideoTabs
In this video is how to take front panel off on your dryer.

[dab147315]

Dryer was made basically the same way for about 35 years.Also you can see blower wheel and figure out how to clean lint area better.Good luck.

[Bailey]

You're right. Should have looked it up. It is the transition model with the center dial but front access for repair. It's a keeper.

[dab147315]

You got that right.Still got a halo heating element on the truck.I don't think i,ll be using that anytime soon.

[kxbronco]

Thanks for the input guys. They don't make appliances like they used too. I want to keep this dryer as long as possible. I hope to get to check thevthings that have been suggested in the next few days.

Thanks again.