How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6010626 / WP697770 Blower Housing Seal

Idler pulley/belt tensioner failed. Chewed up the belt. 

Replaced motor and blower wheel (broke when trying to remove) and cover plate seal. 

Tested all heating-related components using an ohmmeter until I found the heater coil had an open. Ordered a new heater coil and replaced it. Works great and drys much faster than it has in years. The replacement part was for the newer model dryer but worked fine, though it was a pain to get it out and put in the new part due to the way the older model heater bracket was designed. 

Disassembled, removed old seal residue vacuumed, and cleaned accumulated lint build-up from all interior areas. Replaced idler pulley and installed a new drive belt along with new seals obtained from appliance parts pros by using the associated diagrams for my model #. The dryer takes half the time to completely dry clothes again and we can use the moisture sensing setting now too. Thanks, Appliance Parts Pros! I'm going to replace the felt on the drum next after watching some videos, as they are nearing their service life after inspection. 

First off, I figured that the ignitor was bad. Did a continuity check and found it to be good. The thermal fuse was in the circuit. Checked it and found to be open. Ordered the parts needed for the repair and the rest is history. We now have a working dryer. So for thirty bucks, I was able to avoid a $150 or so repair bill. Life is good. I also like the videos. They helped me when putting the foam gasket in place. I probably would have stripped the whole backing and the video said to only strip a little at a time to avoid it sticking to itself. 

Cleaned the old gasket off and attached the seal that we received and it worked great.. 

Using the DIY videos, the parts that were quickly ordered and received, I replaced the moisture sensors, the thermistor and cleaned out the blower housing which was 75% blocked with built-up lint. I replaced the blower housing foam seal to assure a proper seal. Also cleaned the ductwork to assure proper airflow. Now works like it should with one drying cycle. 

I disassembled the dryer to pinpoint the noise problem coming from the blower motor fan was determined. The fan blower had gotten so hot the metal spline had started to spin in the nylon material the fan was injected out of. I had to cut the fan blower off the metal spline using a reciprocating saw, after getting fan blower off the motor, I was able to install a new fan blower and gasket. I also installed 4 new drum rollers, a new idler pulley, new belt, and a drum seal. All parts fit well and were able to be installed fairly easy with exception of fan blower. That took a little ingenuity, but its all back together and runs like new, very quite. When I received the initial fan blower one of the blades had been broken in shipping. I called technical service on late Friday afternoon and I had a replacement part on my doorstep Monday morning. I was Very impressed AppliancePartsPros.com could manage that prompt turn around. I will use AppliancePartsPros again if need be, and I would highly recommend them. 

Broke down the dryer and cleaned everything. Removing all the built up lint. Noticed the belt was coming apart and the tension pulley had rubbing marks on it. Replaced the belt and tensioner pulley. No more noise. While at it, I also replaced the Blower Cover Plate Seal since the original one disappeared over time. I have had the dryer for almost 10 years. Hope to keep it going for another 10 years. 

I decided to replace the following: Thermal Fuse, Gas valve Solenoids, Thermister as I was not sure which one was the main problem. It is working really nicely now.