[lanhsin]

Hi,

My 3yo likes collecting rocks and some have ended up in the dryer. A few weeks ago I pulled out the lint screen and heard a "clunk" and when I pushed the lint screen back in, it didn't seem to go in as far as usual - then I found several small rocks in with the dried clothes. I can only assume the sound was a small rock that is now at the bottom of my lint trap.

Subsequent loads show lint only collecting in the bottom three inches of the lint screen. Concerned, I opened the dryer in all the ways described in the manual (back, top and front), to try and get at the rock - no luck. I did discover lots of water when I disconnected the vent tube in the back and about a milk carton's worth of lint in the tube! Dryer loads are also not drying completely but additional checks of the vent tube don't show any significant lint accumulation in the tube. BUT I'm getting lint on the BACK of my lint screen so I'm not using the dryer anymore

My dryer came with our house so I assume it is ~10 years old. Is it worth getting fixed? If so, who should I call or can I do this myself. After having several loads of laundry done with the lint screen not fully operational, can I trust that this machine isn't a fire hazard, even after it is repaired?

I've heard that dryers are fairly simple machines and should last a long time. Is it worth getting a new one instead? Also this is an electric model, and I do see a capped pipe sticking out of the wall behind the dryer. Can I assume that I have a potential gas connection? Who would I need to get to find out. How much more problematic is it to have a gas dryer in a living area (my spouse is worried about gas leaks etc)?

Thanks for any suggestions/advice you might have. I did a quick search before posting and didn't find a case similar to mine.

Regards,

lanhsin

[bettyboop]

Just remove your lint chute and clean out rocks and lint build up, everywhere in the dryer, not real hard to do!!!Bettyboop

[lanhsin]

Bettyboop,

Thanks for your advice. (and taking the time to read my post. I babble - sorry!)

I took apart and vacuumed everything I could reach but removing the lint chute was not in my manual and I couldn't see an easy way to remove the lint chute. The rock must be all the way down at the bottom - I can't see it even with the back, top and from panels removed. I've tried poking/fishing for it with a clothes hanger + tape without luck.

The lint chute is on the right hand side (near the "start" button) and is sandwiched between the electricals in the back and the drum, which is in front of it. Can you describe what I might be looking for (would the chute be held in place by screws)? I'm not sure I could remove the lint chute unless I take out the drum? It seems pretty packed in there! I think the motor is right below it.

Also, the dryer now squeaks when run - not sure if this means I didn't put it back together the right way?

Sorry if I'm missing the obvious.

Thanks,

lanhsin

[bettyboop]

If your lint filter is on top right rear, the filter is in the lint chute, ta da
Remove the 4 screws from bottom of lint chute and pull out from the back.
take it outside and wash it out throughly with your gardenhose. Now vacuum out the blower wheel real good. And reassemble. Bettyboop