Any Thetford Caravan fridge experts?

[RonA]

Just returned after a BH sortie with the family & grandkids.
Not for the first time the fridge began playing up on gas, making a smell from the exhaust like burnt plastic.
Last time I had the same experience I removed the exhaust & blew the combustion chamber out with compressed air which dislodged loads of soot. Problem obviously due to poor combustion as clearing the soot stopped the smell.
Having occurred again looks like it’s going to need something more fundamental to clear the problem. Don’t really fancy hawking the fridge out as it’s all built in under the worktop, along with the cooker & cupboards. Access via the outside air intake/exhaust grill is quite limited.
Anybody had similar problems.
The fridge is nine years old but hardly ever gets used on gas except sites like the weekend with no mains hook ups available.

 

[mrsbruce]

I’m afraid you will probibly have to take the fridge out to properly service it. The good news is, there is usually only 4 screws holding it in place. At least two may be accessable from inside the fridge, with the other two from the cupboards either side.

Not a big job to do, just be careful of the gas and leccy connections.

Also, lots of good vids on youtube on the subject too.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Sounds like the gas parts are blocked, or some of them.
Take it out and have a look. As @mrsbruce 2 or 4 screws will hold it in place. You may find some parts are fitted with anti-Tamper screws/fixings.

Norbert fridge had a similar issue, striped down cleaned all good
But we then found out we needed it gas certified, well Norbert did. That was a expensive bit of paper.

 

[RonA]

Hi both,
Just found a YouTube vid, 4 screws as described but all inside the fridge. Found some other notes on net apparently this is a known problem on this particular fridge. Some others have experienced melted exhaust grills!, thankfully mine only started to make a smell.
Thanks for all the input.
RonA

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

@RonA
Pleased we could help.

Keep us all posted on how the fix goes, I am sure people would be interested.

 

[RonA]

Further to above posted decided to delve into the innards which to be frank wasn’t that difficult.
Fridge removed by first removing outside plastic grills & surrounds (to give better access). Exhaust chimney removed from exhaust outlet. Four posidrive screws removed inside fridge. All electrics & gas shutoff, then disconnected @ 12v & 230v multi connectors & gas at elbow on supply pipe. Then able to pull fridge forward to get access to burner. Joint split at burner metering jet, cover removed from combustion “chamber”, then able to remove posidrive screws holding burner & ignition electrode, both given good brush & blow out with C/A. With burner bits out of the way C/A used to blow out burner “chamber” & flue. Reassembly just a reverse of dismantling procedure. After reassembly all broken joints tested with soapy water for leaks. In hindsight bottle brush same size as flue might have been useful to better clear soot.
The biggest joke is the “sealing” just a couple of foam pads, no wonder the smell pervaded inside caravan. Will be definitely investing in a CO monitor when I next use the van
RonA

 

[puffernutter]

I appreciate that this wan't the issue, but if the fridge stops cooling, the trick is to remove it, invert it for 24 hours. Right it for 24 hours and it will start working again. Sounds strange, but it does work as I've had success with it!

It is to do with the salts they use as the mechanism for cooling the interior that build up in the various pipes/heat exchangers!

Cheers

Puffernutter

 

[mrsbruce]

I appreciate that this wan't the issue, but if the fridge stops cooling, the trick is to remove it, invert it for 24 hours. Right it for 24 hours and it will start working again. Sounds strange, but it does work as I've had success with it!

It is to do with the salts they use as the mechanism for cooling the interior that build up in the various pipes/heat exchangers!

Cheers

Puffernutter

Yes, done this to two fridges. First was my old motorhome fridge, when it decided not to chill after a winter in storage.
The second time when I first got my 1989 camper 2 years ago. I had run it on mains to check it, and was somewhat dissapointed.

I then took the fridge out to clean out the gas flue (clogged with soot, obviously never cleaned for donkeys), and as a matter of course, turned it upside down for 24 hours. It works a treat now, on both gas, 12v, and mains.

 

[the snooper]

I'd be looking at air flow to the burner or even replace the gas jet, soot will be caused by wrong fuel to air mixture

 

[RonA]

I'd be looking at air flow to the burner or even replace the gas jet, soot will be caused by wrong fuel to air mixture

The metering jet was impossible to remove from the burner assembly without destroying it. If the assembly soots up again may have to consider replacing whole burner assembly.
There is a lot of chatter on the caravan forums about having to clean the fridge burner & flue annually if the fridge is used on gas regularly. There is some speculation as to whether the burner design could be improved.
RonA

 

[the snooper]

The metering jet was impossible to remove from the burner assembly without destroying it. If the assembly soots up again may have to consider replacing whole burner assembly.
There is a lot of chatter on the caravan forums about having to clean the fridge burner & flue annually if the fridge is used on gas regularly. There is some speculation as to whether the burner design could be improved.
RonA

I wonder think it can be improved if soany are having troubles

 

[mrsbruce]

There again, if all caravan fridges lasted 30 years, they’d never sell new ones. So even getting them serviced every year won’t keep most of them going.

 

[RonA]

There again, if all caravan fridges lasted 30 years, they’d never sell new ones. So even getting them serviced every year won’t keep most of them going.

I’ve had this van for 9 years, bought from new. Never been impressed at its construction or quality, wife liked its looks.
In the 9 years I’ve had I had to get the charging unit repaired, trace an intermittent connection, repair several cabinets that have begun to fall to pieces, now the fridge. When you consider it cost as much as a small car, it would be nice to think it held together for 5 years never mind 30.
RonA

 

[reb78]

I have an old dometic camping fridge that i have scrapped for parts. I think the cooler itself has failed. I have sold all of the elements, but still have the burner/gas system. I have no idea if its compatible with yours, but if it might be useful, give me a shout and i can send some pics to see if it is any use for a few beer tokens.

 

[mrsbruce]

I’ve just had a look on fleabay at fridge spares.

By the teeth of hell! Those prices are scary.