What is a blower wheel?

The blower wheel is what actually moves air through the machine. Its vanes pack with compacted lint over years, and a clogged wheel starves the dryer of airflow even when the vent to the outside is completely clear. That produces long drying times and overheating that trips the high limit thermostat, the machine "stops mid cycle" and works again once cool. If the exterior vent flows well but the dryer runs hot, the restriction is inside the cabinet.