I would like to clean my lint filter vent inside the dryer(kenmore 400)I dropped a brush down the vent from above while trying to clean it, and I need to retrieve it before I can use the dryer again. Can you help?

had similar trouble and it can start a FIRE. Try cleaning the vent outside. The shutter doors can be hindered by lint and critters. If cleaning the vent door is not enough, take vent pipes apart and clean them. This should be smooth aluminum pipe not, the corrugated plastic etc.. If this does not cure it, the blower may be clogged or dead inside your machine.

Hi Paul and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly. When you say velocity I am assuming we are talking about airflow and not the tumble speed. There are 2 things that cause poor air flow.
1. Lots of lint build up either inside the dryer or in the output vent ducting expecially at the outside thru the wall vent flapper.
2. The blower wheel on the drive motor has a damaged center hub and is spinning on the motor shaft vs driving at full speed.


Pull out the lint filter use a flashlight and look in the very bottom area of the lint filter air passage. This area is notorious for lint accumulation. If you note lint use a vacuum crevice tool and a wire coat hanger folded into a U shape to reach deep into the passages so that you can use the crevice tool to remove the lint.

The lint filter itself can cause restricted airflow. If you use dryer sheets (Fabric softener) these over time accumulate a mirco particulate on them that when you wipe off the lint it appears clean but the air passages are clogged with the dryer sheet material. Wash the lint filter with vinegar and water using a brush, then soap and water.

Next go outside and check the thru the wall exhaust of the dryer vent. Reach up inside the flapper and check both sides of the flapper for lint build up. Clean as needed.

Disconnect the vent ducting at the back of the dryer. Start the dryer. The airflow commig out the back should gently push a relaxed hand away from the exhaust hole. If the air flow is weak use a flash light and look deep into the vent ducting inside the dryer checking for lint build up. Clean thoroughly.

If after doing all of the above you still have weak airflow then the blower wheel area is suspect in the form of either a damaged blower wheel or lint build up at the blower housing exit.

Give it a good cleaning and see what happens. If you sitll have air flow problems there is more I can do to help you with pictures and how to dis-assemble the dryer. Just repsond here and I will gladly help you.

Thanks for choosing FixYa.

Kelly

Try cleaning the filter to remove any residue from dryer sheets (a dish detergent solution should cut the softener build-up). Be as gentle as possible. An old toothbrush is useful for this.

Also, a weak exhaust flow may be the culprit. Check the dryer vent line all the way outside for excess lint.

Your fan impeller (inside the dryer) may be loaded with lint, too.

The cutoff is there to trip if too much heat builds up around the heating element. The most common reason for this is plugged venting. But it has to do with poor air flow for sure.

- Check to make sure your lint screen is clean and nothing is fallen down the lint filter chute

- Briefly run the dryer without the vent connected and feel the air coming out the back of the dryer, it should feel like good air flow, now connect it again and feel the air where it comes out of your home, it should feel about the same strength.

- To clean the vent, you can use a long brush, a vacuum or even a leaf blower to try and clear the lint. (blow from inside out or you may make a mess inside)

This is going to sound like an owners manual but here goes:

1. Keeping the lint filters clean after each load is every important.
a. if you use dryer sheets (bounce etc) you should clean you lint filter with vinegar about every 90 days. The material from the dryer sheets collects on the lint filter. It will appear clean but will restrict airflow.

2. All air passages must be kept clear:

a. Around the lint filter (look deep and hard) clean with crevice tool

b. At the rear connection of the dryer check the vent ducting for obstructions. It can appear clean yet have a caked build up inside the ducting that restricts airflow.

c. The through the wall vent ducting flapper.

Other than the lint filter the is the leading cause of ducting restrictions. Lint can build up on BOTH sides of the flapper so it keeps it from fully opening or closing and restricts airflow.

Thermistors are there to prevent your dryer from burning down your home. The thermistor is doing its job.

Sorry for sounding like an owners manual / user guide but everything above I see over and over and over..... and over. People say the ducting lint filter and thru the wall vent are clear... Yet I go out there and they pay me to prove them wrong.

Thanks for using FixYa.

Kelly

that's normal,obviously you haven't cleaned out your dryer and vent line,nobody ever tells the customer when you buy your dryer that it should be cleaned out at least once a year so you don't have a fire more so if it's a gas dryer with an open flame inside the dryer,you gotta vac out the inside where the motor is,clean out the duct that the lint filter slides into and blow out the vent line,i use a leaf blower to clean out the vent line,take it off the back of the dryer,stick the leaf blower in the line if it's a long run if it runs through the wall and to the outside flapper and blow all the **** out of it,also if you have a shop vac put it on blow and blow off the motor,you won't believe how much lint comes off the motor even though it looks clean,so vac out the inside of dryer,clean out the lint filter duct and blow out the vent line

Grab a flashlight and look inside the lint trap housing in the dryer. Clean the lint there with something like a bottle brush. If this didn't help - disconnect the vent in the back and try to run the dryer for some time. If that check filter light turns off - clean your dryer vent.

If you wish to clean the interior cabinet of the dryer follow these steps:

1. UNPLUG the dryer. Dangerous voltages are still present even with the dryer turned off.

2. Open the dryer door and remove the lint screen. IMPORTANT: You must remove the lint screen first in order to remove the blower fan housing.

3. Remove the lower toe panel directly below the dryer door by removing the screws under the bottom front edge of the panel. With the screws removed, the panel will drop down, then come off. NOTE: For better access, you can prop the front feet of the dryer up (a 2x4 works well).

4. Loosen the screws on the blower fan housing directly below the drum and remove. There's usually a small clip holding the cover in at the bottom that you may need to pull out to release. NOTE: You may also have to disconnect the auto dry sensor plug (yellow wires with white plug - use a small screwdriver to release the locking tabs) and/or ground wire to accommodate removal of the cover.

You should now have access to the dryer interior and the blower fan squirrel cage motor. Take the time to clean out the blower fan housing cover as well. A long bristle brush made for dryers works well at removing any lint inside the dryer in the hard to reach places, followed by vacuuming.

NOTE: After cleaning, you may experience a slight burning odor. This is normal as lint gets stirred up in the cleaning process and can settle on the heating components. The odor should dissipate after a short period of use.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I hope this helps you.

Get a long brush they have ones made for this chore proably at Ace hardware.

My wife has a Bosch Premium dryer that had drying problems. The lint filter would get cleaned but the machine still did not operate correctly, as you explained above. Her machine was made in 2005 and the lint screen, the plastic slotted unit in front of the lint filter was the problem. It gets clogged up with hair/lint that never makes it to the filter. I tried a shop vac to vacuum it but the problem was still there. Get a pistol cleaning kit for a 22 cal gun. Pull the lint filter out & then take the pistol rod and insert it from the drum side into each slot and pull out the tons of lint. Pull the lint off the rod when done and take a flame to burn the rest off as the rod is a brass brush with small wires on it.