Kenmore Elite HE3 Gas Dryer not heating

I appreciate this answer is a little late, but it may help other users with the same problem.

My Kenmore dryer would ignite for the first cycle but although the igniter would heat up for the next cycles, no gas was released. I replaced the coils to no avail. I than replaced the igniter because some internet advisors suggested that the igniter may not be working optimally, this did not fix the issue. I purchased a used gas valve and fitted it, the only difficult part was getting the incoming gas pipe to release from the threads on the existing valve. I ended up heating the valve a little around the gas pipe and the threads finally turned.

The replaced gas valve worked perfectly and the dryer has been functioning perfectly now for 2 weeks. Being a tinkerer I took apart the replaced gas valve and the found the main piston, which sits inside the solenoid tube was covered in black soot like some of the gas had ignited in the valve. I believe the soot was affecting the operation of the solenoid and the first valve was not opening.