Blue sparks and burning smell while hair dryer is on
Every time my hair dryer is running, I see blue sparks and can smell what seems to be something burning. It's never done this before. I've had it for about 4 years. Is this a dangerous problem? Should I replace it?
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Smoke (blue or black) or steam (white)? White smoke is really steam that is caused by water leaking onto hot surface. Could be leaking from hose running to heater coil under dash, or something else. Check radiator water level to make sure water level is ok. Blue smoke is oil burning. This could be dangerous, caused by similar scenario of oil leaking on a hot surface (from a gasket leak, etc), or exhaust fumes. Black smoke means something is actually burning and could indicate fire. Black or blue some could fill vehicle cabin with toxic fumes, even if you don't smell anything bad.
Sounds like some bare wires are grounding out. Dont run it again until you get someone out to repair it or if its still under warranty tell them the problem and have it replaced.
Blue smoke usually indicates that engine oil is being burned; black smoke usually indicates that your engine is running rich. Blue smoke usually has a more "rich" smell; black smoke may smell like gasoline (which is exactly what it is--partially unburned gas). (White smoke would indicate that you're burning coolant--usually the sign of a leaking head gasket.) In your case, I'd hope for black smoke over blue smoke. It's usually much cheaper to fix one than the other.
It's likely that you are having a problem with one (but not all) of your cylinders. One way to diagnose what's going on is to pull the spark plugs for each cylinder. Each should appear more or less white, possibly with some spotty deposits on it. A spark plug that is covered with fluffy black carbon isn't completely igniting the fuel in the cylinder; this could indicate a bad plug, a weak coil, or a carburetor out of adjustment. A spark plug that is oily shows that oil is leaking into the combustion chamber, most likely through worn valve guides or possibly a slipped ring on the piston itself.
While your spark plugs are out, it also makes sense to take a compression test of each cylinder. You can borrow a compression tester from many auto parts stores, and buying one isn't all that expensive, either. Test your compression with all the spark plugs pulled--that will let the engine turn over fastest and will generate the best readings. It's also best--though not always possible--to test the compression when the engine is warm. Expect a cold engine to test 10-15 psi lower than one that's been warmed up.
The compression test will show several things. First, look for consistency across all the cylinders. If one cylinder reads dramatically lower than the others, that's almost certainly where your problem is coming from. It's not particularly likely in this motor, but excessive carbon buildup can also make a cylinder read higher than it should.
If you find a cylinder with a low compression reading--and/or the spark plug has shown that something unique is happening in that cylinder--pour about a tablespoon of motor oil into the cylinder through the spark plug hole and retest. If your compression reading is much higher, then the problem is most likely in the piston rings rather than in the valves or valve guides.
The description of an older bike with highly aromatic blue smoke suggests to me that you may have an oil burning problem. If that's the case, you may be able to temporarily reduce oil consumption by bumping up to a heavier oil. However, some oil will continue to migrate into the combustion chamber until you fix the actual gap or place where the oil is leaking in. Ultimately, with blue smoke, the proper fix requires some engine work.
Unplug the unit and open it up and investigate. Blue sparks indicate something metal (like bra underwire, or paperclips) has found it's way into the heating element. It can also be excessive lint recycling into the burner, which is not good.
your not getting enough air to gas mixture to burn the gas completely,you will see an orangish/yellowish flame if the air mix is too low,access the burner tube and adjust the air throttle on the tube entry end till its a clean blue flame
Ok...Check the brush roll is free not sticky..Next is the belt okay, not jamming on the brush roll making the burning smell...You could take off the roll and run motor on its own ..finding out if its the motor..
Hi,
Blue sparks = not good....!!!!
Yes something is shorting out in there and that could easily start a fire!!!
Do not use the dryer till you get it checked out... there will be burn marks where it is sparking at. It will be easy to see the problem.
Yes, get it fixed before using it any more...
Ken, Those blue sparks are coming from the element grounding out to the frame (specifically, the back side of the rotating drum). Obviously, this isn't gonna fix itself. There may be a "re-string" kit for yours, but often the only way to buy the element is to buy the whole heater assy., and w/ GE that's generally not that cheap.
Another thing (aside from cost) is the absolute nightmare this dryer is to repair. I've done probably 200 of these and I dread it each and every time. Then again, when I run these service calls I'm limited to working in the (generally small and cramped) laundry rooms that they are in... if you move it out to a garage where there's plenty of room it still won't be great, but it would be optimal.
If you choose to repair it, write back with the exact model number and I'll look up the parts and step you through the repair.
Your drive belt may have broken if it smelled like rubber burning. If that is the case then your motor bearing are worn out or something has been lodged between your dryer drum and the dryer housing. If the smell was the odor of burning plastic, then your motor is probably burned up.
Hello fyffeta,
3 or 4 prong power should have no bearing on the dryer performance..3 prong provides 2 power feed lines and a neutral versus a 4 prong system that provides the same two power feeds, a neutral and a ground.. so performance wise.. you should not expect any. The fact that it sounds louder is subjective and may be a function of the move. whereby something inside the dryer shifted a little when transporting it.. or the accoustics of the new room. If you smell something burning then I would check the exaust duct system for any material and/or restrictions.. It is possible that by moving your dryer..some lint, fibers from clothes or even human hair may have been dislodged and found there way into the blower/heater region and are burning off.. With the plug disconnected..Make sure your power cable terminations at the dryer are all snug. a loose connection there is dangerous and is resistive ( which means it will get hot) and in some cases.. could cause a fire so check that carefully..
In all probability..you may just have some lint or something that shifted during the move and is burning away...
Good Luck
Rick
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