[zamael]

So yesterday I was doing laundry... used the dryer once; no problem. Cleaned the lint trap and all was normal. Put in another load to dry and all was normal. I go to take the clothes out and they felt stiff. Didn't really think about it until I cleaned the lint trap.
There was about 10 times as much lint as there would normally be and the consistency of the lint was really odd. Usually lint is like the lint found in your belly button (minus the hair); you can pull it off the lint trap in 1 or 2 large sheets.
This stuff was almost like someone had taken a foam block and put it through a shredder... all really small pieces and it stuck to the lint trap itself. I had to scrub the lint trap to get it clean.
Then today I wore something that came out of this "odd" load and it is really fragile clothing. I ripped it in 4 different areas and it was really easy to tear.

It almost seems like I "burnt" my clothes

Anyone have any ideas?!

[bettyboop]

your dryer might have a bad thermostat and is "cooking your clothes.
Try running again using some old rags wetted and then dry them and see how it works. after 15 min, lay your hands on top and see if the top is real hot to the touch, but not just warm, next pull out dryer from wall and remove the vent hose from dryer and run it again, and see if it blows good and now the top is coller than before, if so your dryer, or wall vent is blocked with lint build up

[zamael]

I forgot to mention this but after it happened once I ran another load and it happened on the next load as well. Thinking that there was a clog somewhere in the dryer venting I took the dryer apart and cleaned out the lint trap, hose and inside of the dryer just to make sure it was free and clear.

I'll see if it gets really warm. If it is the thermostat; are those difficult to replace? Is there a steadfast method to test the thermostat?

[bettyboop]

Did you run the tests?

[zamael]

I just ran the test... Put in a damp towel then turned it on high; ran for a little more than 15 minutes. Touched the top and both sides and it wasn't hot to the touch. Was a little warm but nothing out of the ordinary. I opened the door to look inside and the warm air came out but it didn't smell "burnt", didn't feel hot and the lint wasn't overflowing like it was before. It seems to be running fine now... I'll try some more tests to see if anything happens.

When a thermostat goes bad can it work intermittently or does it go completely bad and have to be replaced?

[bettyboop]

Sure it could, but most times, the lint problem is a large buildup in the lint chute near the blower impeller, or kinked vent hose(people like to shove dryer tight aginst the wall and not leaving 6" rear clearence for hose). whenever you have your dryer apart for cleaning,every 2-3 yrs, it's cheap insurance to replace both thermostats for a more trouble free dryer