I am getting a strasnge smell from my 2 year old gas dryer.

It is not a gas smell. It smells like something is burning. The smell is not overpowering does not cause you leave the room. there is no smoke.

I have cleaned the filter with soap and water and removed a good amout of lint from the back of the dryer and the vent outside the home. I have not cleaned the entire sheet metal exhaust path.

I have not used the dryer since I cleaned.

Could it be something else besides lint ?


thanks

Has anyone used paints, thinners or chemical cleaners in the area of the dryer just previously to your noticing the odors?

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/?ref411=Clothes+Dryer
The Appliance Information Site
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No on the chemicals. I do not work with these items either. I guess there is achance that one my neigbors ueed something outside,however the temp is 20 degrees so I doubt it.



The smell is not has bad since I cleaned the filter and removed some lint. I had the dryer on ( windows open) for 20 minutes.

However there a trace smell.

** Could it be something else besides lint? **

Fumes from such products in the home can be burned by the gas flame of the dryer and create strange odors. If you haven't used any such products recently, that is not likely the cause.

** I have not cleaned the entire sheet metal exhaust path. **

That should be done at least seasonally.

How about cleaning actually inside the dryer? It is possible for lint to build inside especially if on a very long vent run (but even if not). Such buildups would need at least some disassembly of the dryer to get to.

JFYI

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Clothes+Dryer
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Dan

Thanks

I have done a partial job cleaning the inside of dryer with my hand a vacumn .

The smell is less intense, and we did notice that the dryer seems to be warmer inside and dried clothes quicker.

I will watch for a couple of days and then call repair.

Tom

** I have done a partial job cleaning the inside of dryer with my hand a vacuum . **

I was actually suggesting inside its cabinet and in and around the blower fan, etc., and not *just* from the ducting if that's where you vacuumed.

** I will watch for a couple of days **

Good idea. Let us know the eventual outcome.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Gas+Dryer
The Appliance Information Site
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The dryer smell went away after we cleaned the lint filter with soap and water. The smell may have been caused by cloth fabic softener we used to used.

I came across the thread (Googlin' of course). I've recently developed a very similar problem. Our dryer(gas) is smelling like diesel exhaust and it seems to be getting worse.

I HAVE been using paints and thinners, etc. but not so much in the area. I've been painting the downstairs. The laundry room is at the top of the stairs however.

Could this odor be related? It's so bad, we've had to throw away some clothes.

Thanks for your help, Mark in Austin

** I HAVE been using paints and thinners, etc. but not so much in the area. I've been painting the downstairs. The laundry room is at the top of the stairs however. Could this odor be related? **

Did the odors start around the same time? Can you smell it where the dryer is, even a little bit? If so, yes it could be the cause.

Try airing out the place really well and/or not using the dryer until the finishing materials are *thoroughly* dry. If there's a window in the laundry room, try opening it prior to drying and keeping it open to see if odors gets any better.

Odors can also be caused by lint inside the dryer burning and also an improperly burning gas flame although I think the painting products are quite possibly the cause alone.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Clothes+Dryer
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

It's hard to say exactly 'yes', the odor started the same time. Seems like I've been painting for weeks, well I have. I like to use oil based for the trim and doors. So there has been a LOT of VOCs floating around.

However, the odor hasn't been that strong in the upstairs. I don't know if the vapors are lighter than air... that could be it.

I did check the vents last night, removed flex tubing etc. and cleared it all, albeit there wasn't much material in the 'pipe'.

Assumming it is those pesky VOCs burning, is there anything I can do to speedup the process? Will it eventually subside and do I need to teardown the dryer and clean it all(with mineral spirits?, just kidding).

Just curious, it's paint vapor, et.al. what is the resulting danger once it's burned? I checked the CO meter and it's clear. No worries there any how.

Thanks very much for your help.
Regards, Mark