[Souza110]

After cleaning vents and lint trap, still not drying. Took front off, and ignitor is working and saw flame cycle on and off for a while, but when I put a load of laundry in and checked when time was almost up, clothes were still pretty wet and didn't feel warm. From the outside of the house, it looks like there is a strong outflow from vent. What should I check next? This dryer is 11 years old and wonder if it is new time for a new one... Before cleaning, the sensor dry would go to 99 minutes. After cleaning, it was back in a normal range, but something is still wrong.

[drtom4444]

These driers will do that when the lint builds up like concrete on the inside of the air ducts. Halfway doing it will not work. You need to totally tear it down and scrape out and wash all of the parts except the motor, which you vacuum out. You can go to YouTube to see videos on how to take it apart, but do a very good job or it will fail again quickly. I would get a new belt and change it while you have it apart and get some white lithium grease and grease any bearings you find. You need to clean out a drier every two years, at least, according to the manual. You just unplug the wires from the sensors and remove ductwork that they are attached on and clean the entire thing with soap and water. Make sure you go all through the dryer and get all parts like the blower fan and housing, vacuum out motor well and clean exhaust. Mark all wires you unplug so you know where they go. This is an easier job than you would think. My sister does hers at least once a year since she has five children and the dryer gets a lot of use. Make sure to clean around all of the sensors, too. See: Dryer vent cleaning prevents fires - YouTube and: Cleaning out a dryer with top lint cleanout - YouTube
Cleaning out a dryer: By a woman 2 of 2 - YouTube
Here are some manuals: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8010163/Maytag%20Dryers.zip
A dryer will last as long as it has not rusted out. All you have to do is keep them clean and lubricate the bearings with white lithium grease. When cleaning one you need to put in a new belt which will cost about $5.00. The lithium grease is cheap and can be found at appliance and auto parts stores. I would repair/ clean it as the simple ones are better.