Anyone have any experience with appliance repair - specifically dryers?

[cwa107]

I've been Googling all over the place, but can't seem to find a service manual specific to my new dryer. It looks like the new front-loader style machines are very similar, but I'm a big time novice with appliances in general. Never had a dryer apart before.

So, onto the problem... We're taking a delivery of a brand new Samsung washer and dryer on Monday. It's going into a 2nd floor laundry closet that was clearly designed for the older style machines that are about 28" deep. These machines are roughly 31" deep, which is a problem since the closet is a total of 33 5/8" from the back wall to the door.

This shouldn't be a big deal with the washer, there will be just enough clearance for the drain hose and supply lines. The dryer is another story - obviously, you've got a 4" exhaust vent coming out the rear - and the house's dryer vent is to the right of where the machine sits. So, I've got to make a 90º bend, which requires more physical room than I actually have.

Fortunately, Samsung makes a kit to change the vent to right-exhaust. It didn't look too difficult scanning through the pictures in the installation guide, which I downloaded online. Unfortunately, I didn't read the steps before I bought it - turns out that you have to disassemble the entire machine in step one, which it refers you to the service manual to do.

I thought I could get around it by trying to get in through the access holes at the base of the machine, but now that I have the kit in my hands, it seems unlikely that I can get to the parts inside the machine without having unfettered access.

So, I know there's a lot of DIY folks here and was wondering what kind of experience you have. Is this a tough job that I should hire out, or would someone with a bit of mechanical inclination be OK with it?

[cofetym]

I'm sure you have found a service manual online so that should help. If you have the time and patience, it's not that bad.
I replaced the heating elements for a friend sometime ago on an older dryer,the only tricky part was trying to remember
the belt routing for the drum. It's a shame you don't live closer I'd give you a hand. I don't think that what you need to
accomplish is as involved. Good luck and let us know how things turned out.

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by cofetym

I'm sure you have found a service manual online so that should help. If you have the time and patience, it's not that bad.
I replaced the heating elements for a friend sometime ago on an older dryer,the only tricky part was trying to remember
the belt routing for the drum. It's a shame you don't live closer I'd give you a hand. I don't think that what you need to
accomplish is as involved. Good luck and let us know how things turned out.

Thanks. Yeah, I found a service manual for a different model (but similar looking). I'd imagine that drive belt is similar to a serpentine belt on a car, right? My thought was that I'd just snap a pic of it to see the routing. Are they typically on a spring-loaded tensioner pulley, or do you have to manually set the tension?

According to the venting kit instructions, you have to remove the tumbler assembly altogether, so you're basically taking the top half of the machine off, giving you access to the bottom half so that you can tape the sections of the side vent kit together.

Another question - the kit recommends using "duct tape" to tape the sections together. That can't be bog-standard duct tape, can it? I mean, doesn't duct tape generally degrade under very high heat? I was thinking of using aluminum tape as an alternative, but I guess if it specifies duct tape, any old duct tape will do... not sure on that.

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by cwa107

Thanks. Yeah, I found a service manual for a different model (but similar looking). I'd imagine that drive belt is similar to a serpentine belt on a car, right? My thought was that I'd just snap a pic of it to see the routing. Are they typically on a spring-loaded tensioner pulley, or do you have to manually set the tension?

According to the venting kit instructions, you have to remove the tumbler assembly altogether, so you're basically taking the top half of the machine off, giving you access to the bottom half so that you can tape the sections of the side vent kit together.

Another question - the kit recommends using "duct tape" to tape the sections together. That can't be bog-standard duct tape, can it? I mean, doesn't duct tape generally degrade under very high heat? I was thinking of using aluminum tape as an alternative, but I guess if it specifies duct tape, any old duct tape will do... not sure on that.

They sell A/C grade duct tape in the duct section at home depot/lowes. Regular duct tape is cloth backed and will fail under high heat. Real duct tape is metallized and UL listed. They sell flex and rigid ducting versions. Most building codes do not allow the use of regular duct tape on ducting. Shurtape is one brand I have used.

I rebuilt one dryer a few years ago. It's not too bad if you have instructions. The hardest part was figuring out how the outer panels came off. I don't remember having to set the tension of the belt.

[cwa107]

Awesome, that's exactly what I needed to know, thanks a lot.

[cofetym]

Yep! Spring loaded tensioner is what I ran into and taking a pic of things is definitely a smart idea.
I agree with jl_ss and can't believe the instructions would tell you to use regular duct tape.
You certainly need a tape that can handle being subjected to the confines of high heat restrictions
of a dryer.Quick trip to the Depot should take care of that.

[rocky]

I would stop the delivery-this isn't going to work.

Best appliance site is http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by cwa107

I've been Googling all over the place, but can't seem to find a service manual specific to my new dryer. It looks like the new front-loader style machines are very similar, but I'm a big time novice with appliances in general. Never had a dryer apart before.

So, onto the problem... We're taking a delivery of a brand new Samsung washer and dryer on Monday. It's going into a 2nd floor laundry closet that was clearly designed for the older style machines that are about 28" deep. These machines are roughly 31" deep, which is a problem since the closet is a total of 33 5/8" from the back wall to the door.

This shouldn't be a big deal with the washer, there will be just enough clearance for the drain hose and supply lines. The dryer is another story - obviously, you've got a 4" exhaust vent coming out the rear - and the house's dryer vent is to the right of where the machine sits. So, I've got to make a 90º bend, which requires more physical room than I actually have.

Fortunately, Samsung makes a kit to change the vent to right-exhaust. It didn't look too difficult scanning through the pictures in the installation guide, which I downloaded online. Unfortunately, I didn't read the steps before I bought it - turns out that you have to disassemble the entire machine in step one, which it refers you to the service manual to do.

I thought I could get around it by trying to get in through the access holes at the base of the machine, but now that I have the kit in my hands, it seems unlikely that I can get to the parts inside the machine without having unfettered access.

So, I know there's a lot of DIY folks here and was wondering what kind of experience you have. Is this a tough job that I should hire out, or would someone with a bit of mechanical inclination be OK with it?

would something like this work?

Amazon.com: Copperfield 89634 0"-18" Close Clearance Dryer Vent Periscope Pipe For Venting To Rear Offset: Kitchen & Dining

Amazon.com: Copperfield 89634 0"-18" Close Clearance Dryer Vent Periscope Pipe For Venting To Rear Offset: Kitchen & Dining

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by rocky

I would stop the delivery-this isn't going to work.

Best appliance site is Laundry Room Forum - GardenWeb

Huh? Why?

I have plenty of clearance with it vented to the right. It's just getting the kit installed. At worst, I have to hire an appliance repair shop to come out and install it for me.

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by RSQ Pilot

would something like this work?
Amazon.com: Copperfield 89634 0"-18" Close Clearance Dryer Vent Periscope Pipe For Venting To Rear Offset: Kitchen & Dining

Thanks. That would work if it the vent was just offset against the back wall, the trouble is, it's perpendicular to the wall.

A little sketch if you will...



This is a top down view - kind of gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by cwa107

Thanks. That would work if it the vent was just offset against the back wall, the trouble is, it's perpendicular to the wall.

A little sketch if you will...



This is a top down view - kind of gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.

this could get it out from rear to side, then elbow or flex to discharge house vent?
Close Clearance Dryer Vent Periscope Pipes 18"-29"

[rocky]

Originally Posted by cwa107

Awesome, that's exactly what I needed to know, thanks a lot.

Samsung has installation covered in their owners manuals which are online.

[sblvro]

can you have the drier face the washer or just stack them?

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by RSQ Pilot

this could get it out from rear to side, then elbow or flex to discharge house vent?
Close Clearance Dryer Vent Periscope Pipes 18"-29"

Yeah, that might work, thanks. Trouble is, I've already purchased the side exhaust kit.

HHGregg called this morning and said they'd be here between 5:30pm and 8:30, so I'll have a go at it tonight. I've already resigned myself to the fact that if it can't be installed without complete disassembly (and that certainly does seem to be the case), it's just going to have to stick out a few inches until I can hire out the job or go with a solution like what you've linked to here.

I guess we'll see what happens. I'm guessing their depth measurement is total depth, including the bump out at the rear of the machine and the front door (which is not flush with the front). So, it might not be a huge issue. I was looking last night at the old dryer vent and I already have a special piece of duct work that is a slimline, 90º adapter (maybe not quite as slim as the one you linked to). So, my first thought is to give that a shot.

Another concern I have is with that making contact with drywall. If it's really close, do I have a fire hazard on my hands? I've got to believe we're talking 200ºF or more, no? How heat resistant is ordinary drywall?

[cwa107]

Originally Posted by rocky

Samsung has installation covered in their owners manuals which are online.

Yeah, I've looked at their stuff online. The OM is fine, what I really need a service manual (at least according to the manual included with the side vent kit).