Date: Sat, 16 May 2015 11:32:59 -0700
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Fridge problem... which thing is malfunctioning?
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk1vQerWiSGtvX6nD8vRpevEm62k=UX+VGpGWwx7w8vvCQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Jim, do you have "the book"? http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3637
Always start with first things first, which is the gas supply, since your regulator could be bad. 11" water column is needed (0.4 psi), and you can make a manometer out of vinyl tubing and a tape measure. If that’s good, then pull it and go from there. I've fixed both my Vanagon and EVC fridges on the bench, and it's best to have them hooked up to a portable propane bottle and regulator (1 psi bbq regulator will work). for testing before you put them back in.
If it won't stay lit with the button pushed in it's either low pressure, clogged line, or a bad gas valve in the fridge. I hope it's the gas pressure!
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2015 10:45 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Fridge problem... which thing is malfunctioning?
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
>
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