[Peretz]

My wife and I purchased a used Kenmore 70 Series dryer (model number: LER7646EQ2) last winter and it's never performed as well as we had hoped.

We have three main problems with the dryer:

1. Loads of towels or jeans take between 90 and 110 minutes to fully dry.
2. The dryer is covered in lint after just a few loads, even though we empty the lint trap after every cycle.
3. The dryer occasionally streaks clothes with a brown stain that is very difficult to remove. There is no rust visible in the drum.

The streaking is the problem we're most concerned about.

Unfortunately, the previous owners of the dryers were smokers, meaning that we had to clean the dryer extensively after buying and installing it.

And while I'm no expert on connecting dryers, I checked the duct running from the dryer to the wall and the connection seems to be secure. I also asked our apartment complex to check and make sure that there isn't a clog between the utility closet in our apartment (where we have our washer and dryer installed) and the outside air vent.

We're not expecting high-end performance from a used dryer, but the dryer has been a disappointment almost from day one. Taking 90-110 minutes to dry a load of towels is bothersome, but knowing that the dryer could ruin a piece of clothing in any given cycle is enough reason to want to kick it to the curb and buy a replacement.

My wife and I would like to wait until we move into a house before purchasing a new dryer. Is there anything I can do to improve the performance of this dryer and, more importantly, keep it from staining clothing?

[sidfink43]

Used dryers almost always come clogged with lint and debris.

This is a pretty good machine and I think you can make it work for you but you are going to have to spend a little time with it and take it apart. Fortunately this is not difficult.

1. Take off the back by unscrewing the screws that hold it on.
2. Open the lint filter lid, take out the filter and take out the two screws you find in there. These hold the top to the cabinet.
3. Insert a putty knife or screwdriver in the gap at the front between the top and the front panel and flip up the top.
4. From the back take out the line chute if you can. One of your problems is the lint chute is filled with lint and debris.
5. Take off the front, release the belt and take out the drum. You should be able to find out what is causing your brown stains.
6. Clean the lint out of the heater box and the intake vent.
7. Use a good degreaser to clean the lint filter.

This should fix your problems, but if you want to do some preventive maintenance, and I think you should, replace the idler, belt and rollers.

Put it back together and you should have a dryer that you can move to your house when you buy it and use it for many years to come.

Good luck.