Advice RE White Knight CL372 Rear Drum Bearing/Fan/Capacitor

Manufacturer : White Knight (Crosslee)
Model Number : 372BV
Serial Number : 0218 904169

Hi there – I’ve read a few posts on this forum and know that those that always offer the help need as much info as possible, so apologies if I ramble on a bit.

I have recently bought a ‘Spares or Repair’ White Knight (Crosslee) CL372BV Compact Tumble Dryer with the intention of getting it up and running again. It’s BLUE of all colours, but thankfully living in a large (well vented) cupboard out of sight!

http://www.davidmbell.com/dryer/dryer.jpg

I was told by the previous owner that it wasn’t working, but the motor did sound as if it was running, however, the drum didn’t turn. I thought (hoped) it would be something totally obvious like the belt or the capacitor, turns out it wasn’t…

First job was to take the whole thing apart and clean it up.

There seemed to be an awful lot of fluff inside the cabinet itself. Not sure why this was the case. I think I may order a new filter for it as the existing one has a kink in it and isn’t doing its job properly. That shouldn’t explain why the casing was full of fluff. Any ideas? How can the fluff get inside the case?

Here’s the Filter : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? … 0010839487

Part of the heater element area at the rear was also covered crap, so it’s no wonder its not caught fire in the past! The heating element still heats by the way.

So, I’ve taken in apart and have come up with a few observations:

The previous owner / someone had obviously tried to fix it at some stage as there were some odd things going on inside.

It seems the main fan/fan blade is missing from the back side of the motor shaft (see first diagram): http://www.davidmbell.com/dryer/dryer-diagram.jpg

I have sourced one of these here :

http://www.espares.co.uk/part/tumble-dr … 9/fan.html
£4.59 (inc shipping £7.48) or http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/pro … &section=0 £11.24 inc shipping

The main problem with the drum not turning (I think) is the rear bearing.
Now I have limited knowledge of this machine but I assume that this machine uses a felt drum seal type bearing, rather than the traditional type. (2nd sketch here: http://www.davidmbell.com/dryer/dryer-diagram.jpg )

Part of it is actually missing where it has worn away and as a result the drum looks as if its sat off centre, with the tension of the belt pulling the drum out of kilter. I think because the felt bearing/seal has worn the drum is rubbing on the frame causing friction and thus not allowing it to rotate (see further down re Capacitor).

Should the rear of the drum have the plastic bearings like the front does? Or does it just rely on the felt bearing/drum seal. Just seems odd that this seal supports the whole rear of the drum? Is this how it should be?

SO, if it is this, which do I get seeing as various places stock different parts, the ‘appear’ to do the right job?

http://www.sparesforhome.co.uk/displayP … p?id=11539
£18.80 (inc shipping : £22.30)

Partmaster Lists a Felt Strip, but its not clear what that’s for:
http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/pro … uery=CL372

Finally…

I read this thread :

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.p … ic&t=18111

Mine also does not start on its own either, yet will go if the drum is give a shove. The thing is it eventually slows down and stops, I think due to the rear bearing issue, rather than the capacitor. So is the drum not turning down to the bearing issue, or the capacitor? Maybe I won’t know till I repair the bearing itself. I know the capacitor isn’t that much, but is this something worth replacing anyway? How often do they go?

Capacitor: http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/pro … &section=0

My concern is, are all these spares that it ‘might’ need going to cost more that buying another 2nd hand one for £50 or so. The dryer cost me £10.00 and so far we’re looking at about £30 – £60 to fix it!

Any advice on ANY of the above very much welcome!

David
ps a new one with delivery is about £99 http://www.deals4u.co.uk/product.asp?id=1560