My GE dryer (about 10 yrs old) started making noise, first a rough grating sound, like something caught in the belt, then a big grind when you first start it, along with more grunts/grinds while rotating... but it still works fine! Repairman (who also sells used appliances) took one listen, said "the motor is seized", not worth putting in a new one". I agreed to buy another dryer he has. But since then I've dried two big loads just fine. Should I insist he take it apart and do a proper diagnosis before I take delivery of the other one? I've had good dealings with this same guy before. How could the motor be shot and the dryer still work fine? I've already paid in full for the other dryer...

Farmhouse Lady, April 2006

Hello,

You have to find out the source of the noise before you can make a determination. It could be anything like the glides that the drum rides on to the rear bearing behind the dryer or the idler pulley that keeps tension on the belt, etc. I would disasemble the dryer and remove the belt. Then I would rotate the dryer by hand if you hear the noise. If you do, that would eliminate the motor since it is not hooked up. Then you could just start the dryer with no belt (unless you have a no belt switch which kills power to the motor) if the motor runs with no noise you know its probably ok especially if you heard the noise by turning the drum by hand. Hope this helps.

JP, April 2006