Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2007 06:57:22 EDT
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Fridge maintenance
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 15/09/2007 11:08:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Hi folks:
I have my fridge out to install one of the Go Westy update kits. This update
kit appears to allow about four or five times as much air (per pump) than
the stock air pump, and has a check valve and "O" ring to prevent any leaks.
Fingers are crossed that it will help lighting the fridge.
The last time I had the fridge out, I completely cleaned the combustion
chamber and used some "form a gasket". I checked this seal by putting a cork in
one of the tubes and blowing into the other, and it appears to be tight as a
drum to me. My fridge frequently does blow out at highway speeds, and someone
mentioned that a leak in the system was the culprit, but I sure don't find
any leaks.
While I have this thing out, any suggestions on what else to do as
preventive maintenance? I have installed a computer fan in place of the stock, give it
a thorough cleaning. Applied thermo grease to the thermo swtich. Should I
pull athe heater rods out and give them a cleaning? What about burping the
system? I believe this was done by turning the fridge upside down overnight, but
don't remember the exact details. Is this worth considering? Not sure when
the next time I will have the fridge out again, so wanna take care of it now.
Troy, see my _VW Vanagon Westfalia Dometic Fridge Maintenace_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/fridge.htm) webpage. AND, here are a few more tips I've come
across since I wrote that article.
1 - Make sure the set screws that hold the heater elements in place are
TIGHT.
2 - Blow compressed air through the propane line from the top connection
while holding open the bypass valve and propane main valve open with jet removed.
3 - Clean the jet with lacquer thinner, soak for at least 15 minutes, use a
small strand of copper wire to pass through the opening. Blow out from both
sides with compressed air.
4 - Burp fridge. 12 hours upside down, 12 hours right side up, 12 hours
upside down, 12 hours right side up. Block up so it is level each time. I use a
milk crate and some blocks of wood.
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10, 2007
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