I stumbled on to this site and its been full of useful info!
I’m hoping someone can help me with my dryer. I’ve read just about every gas dryer issue I could find, but it doesn’t solve my problems.
Last week I noticed a strong odor of gas from the dryer, so after research on this site I changed the coils. When I put the new coils in, the dryer fired right up. I let it run, the flame goes out, after a minute or so the ignitor glows again and turns off, but no flame and then the smell of gas.
Once the dryer has cooled down, I start it again and the ignition coils glows, flame comes on, runs a cycle, ignitor glows again and no flame just the smell of gas.
Can someone please help?! Like most of us, I’m on a kind of tight budget and would prefer not to call a technician.
If the gas valve coils didn’t fix it and you have a smell of gas, I recommend replacing the gas valve Whirlpool WP8318277 Valve, 60 Hz. (includes Pipe & Illus. NO.7) - AppliancePartsPros.com here comes the however, unless you are willing to assure that you can assemble this gas valve exactly (gas tight) I recommend that you have a repair person that can prove they are certified in gas appliance repair do the job. I say this as a retired firefighter “home safety first”.
Just my 2 cents!
Hi, thank you for the reply. I was afraid it would come down to this part. I understand this part doesn’t usually fail…seems it would be just my luck lol.
Is there a way to verify it is indeed this part before I spend $200 + the cost of a certified technician?
Here is a link to a video I took after replacing the coils. I stopped recording after the 2nd time the igniter kicked on and off because there was no flame and gas was being released.
I do not recommend testing the unit as you have in the video. The coils may not be opening because the system needs air flow to cycle the coils open and closed via the cycling thermostat. It is located on the exhaust vent. You testing it in this manor are causing the high limit thermostat to trip open and it takes longer to reset. I hope you haven’t permanently tripped the high limit thermostat.
Please reassemble the dryer completely and run a test. Remove the little plastic plug on the bottom left corner of the front panel to visualize the burner operation.
The reason I am testing it in this manner is because when I first replaced the coils the dryer worked for 1.5 loads of laundry. (They were small loads)
The dryer worked great during the first run and testing before I ran a load in it. I did smell a faint odor of gas from the exhaust vent outside the house.
During the 2nd load is when I began smelling the gas again in the house and in the drum, i first removed the white cap on the front and saw exactly the same as what is happening in the video. So I took the dryer apart and began retesting everything.
I really appreciate all your time and help…this is driving me crazy lol.
I even went and exchanged the new coils for other new coils thinking they may have been faulty.
A couple of other items to check before you replace the gas valve is the flame sensor. Whirlpool WP338906 Flame Sensor - AppliancePartsPros.com
If its malfunctioning the gas valves won’t open.
Also check the resistance of the new coils. I know you just got a second set but before we rule them out check for resistance to see if they are good..
The 2 prong coil should read between 1000 and 2000 ohms.
The 3 prong coil should read between 300 and 2000 ohms.
If these both check out then it’s probably time for a new gas valve.
I don’t suspect the cycling thermostat because it wasn’t even in the scenario in your video.
The only constants there were the gas valve, the coils and the flame sensor.
That’s exactly what I did before I took the video. I tested the flame sensor and there is continuity. I tested the high temp sensor (little white one on the back) that had continuity, the coils all tested fine.
Is there a reason why the gas valve would fail or only get flame intermittently? If I smell gas, does that mean the valve is working? I have no idea how the gas valve works.
Is it possible to have a weak ignitor? I read the material can break down over time/use.
Would you advise replacing this before replacing the gas valve?
Thanks again in advance!
It is possible for the igniter to be weak. It didn’t appear so in the video.
Do you have gas smell all the time or just when it doesn’t ignite? If only when it doesn’t ignite try installing a new igniter. Whirlpool 279311 Dryer Igniter Kit and Bracket - AppliancePartsPros.com
The cool thing with our Buy n Try policy if this doesn’t fix your problem just return the part for a refund. Look at the info, just click on the “365 Day Buy and Try” link on your parts page.
That is correct, I only smell gas when it doesn’t ignite. The past couple times I’ve tried to test the dryer, there’s been no ignition/flame.
That’s great to know about the Buy n Try policy! Looks like I’ll be ordering 1 of everything!
Thank you for all your help!!
My whirlpool lgb6200pqo has a weak natural gas smell in the drum when not in use. I’ve checked all the gas lines and shut off for leaks but none found, then I took off the top and front along with electric plug removal and took out the drum and belt to expose burner assy. I checked the gas line with soap at the valve for leaks and all other gas plugs on the valve but they had no leaks. I then wiped some soap/water over the orifice and it made a small slow filling bubble. I replaced my 2 solenoids last week with used ones from another same type dryer because the burner was intermitent and would lite gas several times but not several other times. I also ordered the new solenoids and will install when they arrive, but do you think the new solenoids will shut the gas flow completely when not in use or do you think it is my gas valve that’s defective? I’ve read in several places where the gas valve is most likely not to fail but that doesn’t mean they never fail. Before ordering a new gas valve, I’ll remove the valve from my parts dryer to install and test after I install the new solenoids on my leaking valve to see if those solenoids make it behave. Let me know if anything can be done to adjust or repair my leaking gas valve?
Did you ever find the cause of the gas smell? I have the same exact issue with my Duet dryer. Intermittent gas smell when not running dryer. I’ll replace the valve assembly if I need to, but just want to make sure whatever I do is the fix. Thanks.
I smell gas in my dryer while it is running. My whirlpool dryer is heating and drying fine. I cleaned out all the lint and confirm the exhaust is clear. Ant ideas? It is a model wgd97hexl4. Thanks
I smell gas in my dryer while it is running. My whirlpool dryer is heating and drying fine. I cleaned out all the lint and confirm the exhaust is clear. Ant ideas? It is a model wgd97hexl4. Thanks