Date:         Sat, 16 May 2015 17:44:56 +0000
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fridge problem... which thing is malfunctioning?
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk15PagtVF-V-ckf0qdnw3Cy4bwG8uVnjTDrexi-jx6h1A@mail.gmail.com>
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Another thing: The reference to "won't stay lit for more than a minute" cam
from observing the light in the indicator panel, which has a residual
effect. Looking directly at the flame in the peephole, it burns for ten
seconds or so. Strong at first, then weakly, then out.

Jim

On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 12:23 PM Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> 1983 Westy. Fridge out for combustion chamber cleaning about 4 years ago.
>
> I have enjoyed years of great fridge use until two trips ago, about three
> weeks ago, when I was driving across the Mobile Bay Causeway in the same 70
> mph winds that killed eight sailors that day. It was scary enough in a
> potpie camper.
>
> Anyway, I didn't notice anything that night, but in the morning it was
> down say 15 degrees from where it should have been, which as you probably
> know is bad enough.  It happened again on thursday night on an overnight
> trip. I shot a blast of air through it and now it won't stay lit for more
> than a minute, with the "prime" knob held down or not.
>
> So, I  figure either that it is rust, scale or debris the either got blown
> in (it was raining everything you could imagine on the roadway) or
> dislodged OR it is a failing shutoff thermostat that just won't hold the
> gas open as it should.
>
> Anyway to tell the difference without pulling it? I know I have to pull
> it, that's no big deal, as the 10-year-old gowesty replacement fan needs
> replacing to. But it would be a lot easier to accomplish if I knew whether
> or not I needed that part.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim
>