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Author Archives: Samurai Appliance Repair Man
Fixitnow.com
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Mailbag: “Repairing” a New Oven Thermostat
Peter L. wrote:
Oh wise Samurai Appliance Repair Man, I need your help to fix my oven and save my marriage?
I wish I still lived in Bradford, NH, in which case I could perhaps try to arrange an on-site visit, but I now live in Washington, DC.
Ah, the long version of my tale was too long, but suffice it to say the following. I had to replace the thermostat on my GE electric, self-cleaning range. I disassembled the new thermostat, thinking I might better be able to thread the capillary tube, but I realized that it was soldered internally so no go. Unfortunately, in the process, some parts came out and, since it now doesn’t work, I guess I didn’t know how to put them back. (Oven just heats and heats.)
Can you tell me how the internal elements go back together? It’s GE part # WB21X5320. I can provide more details by email, and the beer fund will grow! Thanks!
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The above message was sent when you were offline, via your LivePerson site.Message sent from IP: 138.88.153.63
Oh, feckless grasshopper, what folly hast thou wrought with thy pernicious meddling? Oven thermostats are lovingly assembled at the factory by specially-trained Chinese political prisoners under exacting conditions using intricate little parts. Thermostats should never be disassembled by the uninitiated…unless you just want to dissect it like a frog in biology class. Your only recourse at this point is to shell out another $160 to buy a new thermostat.
And let that be a lesson to you!
Recommended Reading: Oven Thermostat Repair Lab Report
Mailbag: Using Liquid Dishwasher Detergent in a Dishwasher
Jeff wrote:
Great websight in both looks and content. I’ve got one question about dishwashers. I’ve been using “CASCADE” liquid dishwashing detergent and have had the rotating disc over the resevour not opening sometimes during the entire washing sequence. I’ve just rinsed the washer with vinegar and it opened as it should during that cycle. Another websight noted to NEVER use a liquid dishwashing detergent. Do you agree that the granular type is the only one that should be used?
Thanks in advance. . .Jeff_______________________________
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Absotootely! Liquid and gel detergents are a Bozo No-No in dishwashers because they just gunk up the works. Dishwashers have some delicate parts and the gel and liquid dishwasher detergents tend to gum up the works, especially around the soap door area. Avoid gels and liquids and stick with powdered dishwasher detergents. For best results, use this detergent.
Nor’easter
Had our first winter Nor’easter. Pretty good one, too. Got about 2 feet of dry snow that was ideal for shoein’ and blowin’. Took some pictures of the winter transformation. Check ’em out.
Mailbag: Diagnosing Dishwasher Door Leaks
Tom wrote:
Nice website. I have about an 8 yr old Maytag dishwasher, Model # DWU8330AAX, that leaks at the bottom of the door. About a cup or more of water is collected in 7 plastic cups lined up under the door. Gaskets seem fine. Please help. I can’t afford a new dishwasher for a long time.
Thanks,
Tom_______________________________
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Ahh, the mysterious dishwasher door leak. Yes, grasshopper, the Samurai has the information you seek in this Appliance Tip of the Day.
All hail Hirohito!
Appliance Tip of the Day: Diagnosing Dishwasher Door Leaks
When diagnosing water leaking from you dishwasher door, you need to determine if the water is coming from inside the door liner, from underneath the door, or out the door gasket. Here a few things to check before pulling out your tool box.
- Dishwasher Installation is Critical!
The dishwasher has to be level, with all four legs firmly on the ground, and square. Check the level front to back and side to side. Level is especially critical if your dishwasher has a plastic tub because these can be warped by cruddy installation jobs. - Oversudsing
Gawd, I can’t even count how many service calls I’ve been on leaking dishwashers only to find that the problem was either 1) using too much soap or 2) someone (usually hubby) put in liquid dishwashing soap instead of dishwashing detergent. In either case, the dishwasher will whip up more suds than an overcharged keg in a brewpub and you’ll end up with soapy water all over your floor. - Water Overfill
The water level should come up to the bottom edge of the heating element. To check this, open the door after the dishwasher fills with water and starts spraying. If the dishwasher is not level front to back and is pitched forward, the water level will be above the heating element in front but below the element in back. - Door Alignment
The door liner needs to be centered in the door gasket. If it ain’t…you guessed it, LEAK! - Door Gasket
Cracks, tears, and shrinkage can all cause a door gasket to leak. Sometimes, on older dishwashers, the gasket can look ok, but the rubber has become age-hardened and so doesn’t make a good seal with the cabinet anymore. This is especially true with Kitchenaids. - Lid Latch Grommet
This is the little gasket that seals the latch on the soap door. A common source of leaks with Maytag dishwashers is that this grommet will tear and cause leaks. Easy $2 fix. - Wash Arm
Lots of times, plastic wash arms will split at the seams. This pushes high pressure water directly at the door and out through the gasket. To check the spray arm for splits, run the dishwasher to heat the arm then grab both ends and gently twist, looking for splits. - Front Tub Flange
Sometimes the front tub flange on plastic basins can warp and pucker outward, causing leaks. Use a heat gun or warm up the plastic and bend it back into place.
Still confoosed, grasshopper? For more pearls of wisdom about your dishwasher, click here.
A Happy Thanksgiving Wish from Moostafa
My dear, dear friend, Moostafa, extends his warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving from Moostafa’s Mecca of Appliance Repair to all of us here at The Samurai School of Appliantology and The Appliantology Group.
Hello, my Ameedican friends. May you and your family eid your fill of bakrad turkey this Thanksgiving.
Allahu Akhbar!
Moostafa
User Friendly Link of the Day
That would be yours so very truly and Fixitnow.com. Yes, grasshoppers, after an exhaustive evaluation of all the other Samurai appliance repair websites across the entire internet, UserFriendly.org today announced that Fixitnow.com has emerged as the clear choice for the User Friendly Link of the Day for November 25, 2003. And so it is with a renewed commitment to the Bushido of appliance repair that we here at Fixitnow.com, myself together with all my alter-egos (usually kept sedated with liberal quantities of the sacred fermented grain beverage), display the UFLOTD emblem with gratitude and deep humiliation…humility, I mean–with deep humility. Domo Arigato. 
Fix It Yourself and Save Big Bucks!
Everyday, Samurai Appliance Repair Man helps thousands of people fix their own appliances. Here’s a recent testimonial from a satisfied do-it-yourselfer:
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"When my Scrotum Scrubber 2000® broke, I went into a pure, blind panic. The manufacturer, Scrotilia Corporation, was going to charge me $115 for the repair with a turn-around time of more than four weeks! In desperation, I searched the web and found Samurai Appliance Repair Man and, boy, am I ever glad I did! The Samurai helped me diagnose the problem and figure out what part I needed for my Scrotum Scrubber®. I bought the part through an online vendor and was happily scrubbing away in just a few days. Domo arigato, Samurai-san!" |
What can the Samurai help you fix today?
Mailbag: GE Appliances
eagle wrote:
been working for ge over 22 years and the funny thing is almost all our buss is repete buss you dont like ge but i would not have anything else they dont fall apart like most of your favs do
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Each day, thousands of young men and women give up on their high school education, and, in many cases, on themselves. This means that thousands of young adults enter the working world without the most basic requirement for a decent job – a high school diploma. Dropping out of high school is strongly related to many troubling factors facing kids: substance abuse problems, unplanned pregnancies and involvement in criminal behavior can all cause students to prematurely withdraw from school and never return. Conversely, once a student drops out, he is at higher risk for substance abuse, risky sexual activity, suicide attempts, fighting, weapon carrying, and, most troubling of all, long-term employment with GE Appliances.
In many cases, dropping out of high school is precipitated by other problems, such as stressful family situations or using GE appliances at home. In particular, family background and involvement plays an important part in a child’s academic achievement. Here are some troubling statistics that reveal the breadth of this problem:
- More than 1,300 students drop out of school every day.
- 30% of Hispanic youths are dropouts.
- 14% of African American youths are dropouts.
- 8% of Caucasian youths are dropouts.
- 41-46% of all prisoners are dropouts.
- 97-120% of GE employees are dropouts (according to their statistics).
- High school dropouts make 42% less money in the workplace than high school graduates.
- 50% of dropouts are unemployed. The other half works for GE Appliances.
- Dropouts are three times as likely to face poverty and seven times as likely to own GE appliances.
Just say “No” to GE appliances. And stay in school…PLEASE!
This message brought to you by Samurai Appliance Repair Man and the Ad Council.
Mailbag: Supplying Outside Combustion Air for a Gas Dryer
Constantin von Wentzel wrote:
You maintain a great site! However, it doesn’t answer my question, and my quest to look through the product manuals that came with my dryer do not indicate an answer either…
Here then my question, Sensei: Is it possible to hook up a Frigidaire dryer to be a sealed combustion appliance, i.e. isolate it from the house air?
Our model is a private-label Kenmore, but that shouldn’t make any difference (the only “difference” AFAICT being the control panel)
Cheers!
Constantin
~ ~ I love sailing!
~ ~ www.vonwentzel.net
Well, one solution is run the dryer inside an airlock chamber. 
Alternatively, if your goal is to simply avoid using your already-heated household air for primary combustion air for the burner, there is an economical and commonly-employed approach. Run a second 4″ diameter duct to convey outside air to the burner. Typically, this air supply duct would be connected to the dryer at a side port. You would need to cut the side port in the dryer with a 4″ hole saw. You may also want to install a manually-operated flapper inside the duct that you could close when you’re not using the dryer.
Mailbag: Gas Stove Sparks Continuously After Cleaning
Peng wrote:
Hello,
After I cleaned my gas cooktop (with electric ignitors) and washed control knobs, one of ignitors automatically started sparking continuously when the control knob was on OFF position. (All the burners have no problems being lit.) I had to disconnected it from electrical supply so the clicking sound would disappear.
I did not dry knobs completely before I put them back on. So I guess it may cause the problem. Can I still use the oven when the ignitor is continuously sparking? Do I need to call technician to fix it?
Thanks, repair man!
Peng
_______________________________
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Ain’t no thang, m’main man. One of those switches got wet and is completing the circuit to the spark module causing it to fire off sparks. No danger to you or anyone else. Let it dry out, maybe help it along with a hair dryer. Take two beers and call me in the morning.
President Linkin’
And now, for your surfing pleasure, the Samurai presents a new page of links to home improvement sites, appliance repair resources, and B.O.S.S. member sites. This new page has such an impressive and dynamic collection of links that The New England Journal of Medicine has dubbed it the President Linkin’ of webpages.
Here’s linkin’ at you, kid!
Appliance Tip of the Day: Dryer Disassembly
At some point during the life of your dryer, you’re gonna need to open it up to do some surgery. Here are basic disassembly procedures for the most common dryer brands and models. And, Hoss, a genuine manufacturer’s repair manual can be a valuable accomplice in your dryer repair odyssey. Come git you some.
- Admiral, Norge, some White Westinghouse, Montgomery Wards
First, pop the hood on that sucker. Here’s whatcha see on the inside looking in from the top and here’s looking at the guts of the dryer with the drum removed. - Amana-Speed Queen
First, remove the two screws at the bottom of the front panel. After you’ve removed the front panel, you’ll see four screws that hold on the front drum glide bulkhead. Remove the bulkhead and set it aside–be careful about the door switch wires. To remove the drum, first unstring the belt from the tensioner pulley. - GE/Hotpoint
- Old Style: First, remove the several screws holding the top down and then the bottom two screws Lift the top and remove the two front panel retaining screws on the inside. Then remove the drum center bearing clip, unstring the belt, and remove the drum.
- New Style: Remove the top panel retaining screws, pop the top, and then remove the inner front panel screws. Unstring the belt and remove the drum. Here’s what it looks like with the drum removed. There are two variations on this dryer that affect how you restring the belt. Variation 1 has a rear access panel through which you can restring the belt. Variation 2, however, does not have this rear access panel. (Thank you, GE
) To restring the belt on this sorry excuse for a dryer, remove the phillips screw inside the rear exit opening of the blower duct and remove the duct. Then restring the belt from the front.
- Sears Kenmore, Whirlpool, Roper, Kitchen Aid, Estate
- Lint Filter on Top:
Remove the two screws at the lint filter and pop the top up. Here’s what it looks like under the hood. Remove those two screws inside the top of the front panel. Now, go ahead and unstring the belt to remove the drum. With the drum removed, you can see the drum rollers. If you need to remove the motor, this’ll hepya. You can remove the back panel to get to the blower chute and lots of other stuff, too. This shows how to remove the blower chute. - Lint Filter in the Door: Remove the front kick panel to reveal the bottom retaining screws for the door panel. Now remove the top panel to reveal the top retaining screws for the door panel. Disconnect the wiring harness for the door switch and remove the door panel. Now unstring the belt and remove the drum.
- Lint Filter on Top:
- Maytag
Disassembly is very similar to the Amana-Speed Queen dryer. Remove the two screws at the bottom of the front panel. Remove front panel, and then remove the drum support bulkhead. The front glide set for the drum is shown here. With the bulkhead out, you can access the blower housing. Remove the belt before pulling out the drum. If you need detailed instructions on replacing the belt, this will help. With the drum removed, you can access the rear drum rollers. - Frigidaire and White-Westinghouse
Pop the top, remove the front panel screws, unstring the belt, and pull out the drum.
For more information about your dryer or to order parts, click here.
To learn more about your dryer, or to order parts, click here.