Appliance Spares
Quick answer: If your Simpson Sirocco or Maxidry vented dryer runs and warms up but the drum won’t turn, the heavy-duty fan belt has almost always snapped or perished. It’s a $8–$10 part and about a 30-minute DIY job. A new Simpson dryer is several hundred dollars, so the belt is about the cheapest appliance fix going.
Simpson Sirocco dryer fan belt · find your model
Why the Simpson drum stops turning
These older Simpson vented dryers use one belt that runs from the motor pulley around the drum. It is a high-mileage part that bakes in dryer heat for years, so it eventually cracks, stretches or snaps. When it goes, the motor and fan keep running — you’ll hear it and feel warm air — but the drum sits still.
| Cause | How to spot it |
|---|---|
| Snapped fan belt | Motor runs, warm air blows, drum dead still |
| Perished / cracked belt | Drum slips or squeals, belt looks glazed and split |
| Belt jumped the pulley | Drum spins freely by hand with no drag |
| Seized idler or drum bearing | Drum stiff to turn by hand — fix before fitting a belt |
| No power / dead motor | Nothing runs at all — not a belt problem |
Confirm it’s the belt
- Unplug the dryer and open the door. Spin the drum by hand — a free, weightless spin means the belt has snapped or come off.
- Start a cycle briefly: if the motor hums and you feel warm air at the front but the drum is still, that is the belt, not the heater.
- Check the drum turns smoothly by hand with no grinding — a rough or stiff drum means a bearing or idler problem on top of the belt.
- Pop the front or top panel and look for the broken belt in the base, or a stretched belt sitting slack off the pulley.
While you’re in there: spin the idler pulley and check it runs free and quiet. A dragging idler glazes a new belt fast, so replace it too if it feels rough.
Order the right belt for your Simpson
Match the model range on your sticker — the Sirocco and Maxidry families use different belts:
These are the heavy-duty replacements, not the lightweight ones that perish early. Not sure which range you have? Run your model number through the Part Finder — model in, exact-fit belt out.
Replace the fan belt (about 30 minutes)
- Unplug at the wall. If the dryer is wall-mounted, lift it off its bracket and lay it on a bench.
- Remove the front or rear panel (a few screws) to expose the drum, motor and idler.
- Photograph the belt routing around the drum, motor pulley and idler before you touch anything.
- Clear the old belt — lift it off the drum and pulleys or remove the snapped pieces.
- Loop the new belt around the drum in the existing track, then over the motor pulley and around the idler to set the tension.
- Turn the drum by hand a full revolution to seat the belt and check it runs true in the groove.
- Refit the panel, restore power and run a short empty cycle to confirm the drum tumbles before loading.
Repair cost summary (Australia 2026)
| Path | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| DIY: replacement fan belt | $8–$10 | 30 minutes |
| Professional repair: part + call-out | $160–$240 | 1-hour booking |
| Replacement Simpson dryer | $400–$700 | — |
Frequently asked questions
My Simpson dryer runs and gets warm but the drum won’t turn — is it the belt?
Almost certainly. Warm air with a still drum is the textbook snapped-belt sign. Unplug it and spin the drum by hand to confirm.
Is the heavy-duty belt worth it over a cheap one?
Yes — the heavy-duty belt copes far better with the constant heat inside a vented dryer, so it lasts longer.
Will the Sirocco belt fit a Maxidry?
No, they are different lengths. Order by your model range and check with the Part Finder if you are unsure.
The drum is hard to turn even with the belt off — what now?
That points to a seized idler or worn drum bearing. Sort that first, or the new belt will glaze and slip.
Where do I get Simpson dryer parts?
We stock the older Simpson vented dryer range. See our Simpson dryer parts.
Related
- Simpson dryer parts — full range
- Hard-to-find appliance brand parts — full index
- All dryer belts in stock
Ready to fix it?
- Run your model number through the Oz Appliance Spares Part Finder — model in, exact-fit belt out.
- Browse 3,000+ parts in stock
- Order before 12pm Sydney time → ships same day from our Sydney Northern Beaches warehouse, Australia-wide.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
