Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

[bh357]

Every once in a while, our dryer will leave scorch marks on an article of clothing. Does anyone have any insight on the cause of this. The dryer is a White Westinghouse gas dryer. Sorry I don't have the model number handy, but it is ~12 years old.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

I am sure this was the first thing you checked, but make sure the vent hose, lint screen are both clean. Then take the back off and open up the vent passageways inside to make sure that is clean as well.<br /><br />I had one of these years ago that the burner would not cycle on and off like it was supposed to. I don't remember if it was a kind of thromostadt or reastadt or what, but the fire would stay burning when the clothes were dry.<br /><br />Also make sure you don't overload., If the clothes cannot mix well while tumbling an article could hold up against the back where the heat is blown in.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

"Scorch marks on an article of clothing" This sounds as if it has the makings of a dryer fire. I would discontinue using the dryer until it was checked out by a licensed repairman. Way tooooooo much at steak here.

 

[bh357]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

Thanks for the insight guys. The vent and lint screen have both been cleaned recently; vent about 3 months ago, screen before each load. I will check the passageways inside the dryer tonight.<br />The burner is cycling off and on.<br />The scorch marks only occur once in a great while.

 

[Bigfun]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

I had a similar symptom. But I found that cloths were getting pinched between the drum and the drum guides. It was actually rust marks but looked like scorch marks, replaced the drum guides, problem solved. good luck.

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

Dryer fires are not the most pleasant.<br /><br />2 years ago mine caught fire. The tub stopped turning and the clothes caught fire. Just so happens I was repainting the laundry room so I was right there. Called for fire dept. They carried it outside and stamped the clothes into the snow. Dryer was ruined, every peice of red clothing I own was ruined, but house survived. Had to repaint the laundry room, but was already starting that project.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

Had an electric dryer do that once. The high range shut off would stick "on" cooking the cloths until you could smell them. Could be something similar.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

if your digging into it, pull the spade connectors on and off a couple times to renew the contact surface, those old dryers have open connectors on them and are full of steam .

 

[bh357]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

Thanks everyone. I pulled things apart last night, and found that the squirrel cage blower had almost enough fur to make a squirrel . It was still drying ok, but not at optimal.<br />I ran a load of towels through it, and did see that the burner was cycling on and off.<br />Mrs. bh357 did comment that she notices the scorch marks maybee once a month, if that. Come to think of it, she has been dropping a few hints on one of these things.<br />

<br />$1000 for a dryer . But she does hang dry a lot of clothes.

 

[bh357]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

We went ahead and ordered the Maytag Drying Center last week. It should arrive in about another week. Figured an older (cheap) dryer wasn't worth sinking parts into.<br />Mrs. bh357 should be a happy girl . Well, about as happy as someone can be while doing laundry.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

Smart move.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

yeah,, i always blame the dryer for the 'burn marks' in my clothes.. especially my underwear.. now come to think of it,, the dryer 'burns' only my underwear..hmmmmm..

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Clothes Dryer Leaves Burn Marks - UPDATE

You sure these aren't skid marks in your underwear that you're trying to blame on the dryer?