Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2017 14:25:30 -0700
Reply-To: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: refrigerator update
In-Reply-To: <CO2PR11MB0069B8E8FF6C6F8D14A0B89EE0DF0@CO2PR11MB0069.namprd11.prod.outlook.com>
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Thank you for posting what you found Robert.
Ok, right. Steel line. Sheesh! David mentioned that. And:
> It has a reduced inner diameter from rust, and a small rust flake can easily
> block the tiny gas nozzle orifice.
Ok.
You probably know this but I found that my 182A thermostat could fit
and worked my 182B fridge. Or the other way 'round. Can't recall. But
that becomes inefficient from a dollar standpoint?
Here's a few images of both thermostats. According to my notes, the
182A has the longer shaft for dial:
https://goo.gl/photos/WRFFWWKwL3nvWg1A7
https://goo.gl/photos/wYyN1xPBurFrLFBC6
On 6/26/17, Robert Keezer <warmerwagen@outlook.com> wrote:
> Hi Neil,
>
>
> I lurk in the shadows here but enjoy getting hands-on from time to time as
> it is a nice break from my full-time used VW parts ebay sales.
>
> So I contacted David after reading his posts and we agreed to have me remove
> the fridge and service it.
>
>
> David McNeeley's fridge no-light issue is one I've solved many times, so I
> gave this a go only to find this steel line is steel with rust .
>
> I couldn't blow much air thru it , even after we tried cleaning it.
>
> It has a reduced inner diameter from rust, and a small rust flake can easily
> block the tiny gas nozzle orifice.
>
> At one point after I had successfully ignited the burner, it would not
> reignite. That's when we suspected the stel line.
>
>
>
> Your copper tube line looks almost twice as large.
>
> My guess is the company wanted to save money and switched to steel from
> copper in the last few years of Westfalia production.
>
> Steel connected to copper also encourages rust and corrosion.
>
>
>
> The connections on this steel pipe don't look common.
>
> What is needed to know is the size numbers of the end fittings.
>
> it would be easier to find this pipe on a part fridge.
>
> I have a parts fridge and the line is steel.
>
>
> The thermostat probe wasn't looked at, yet has never been touched.
>
> The fridge worked properly until two years ago.
>
>
> The steel line may not be the real culprit, but a rusty line reason can't be
> ruled out until it's replaced.
>
> I'm going to remove the steel line and go to a propane store like Suburban
> or an RV supply and see what the sizes are .
>
> If it can be done, it would not be hard to fab a replacement copper tube and
> make the numerous bends,.
>
> Might have to reuse the old fittings on new line if the same size in copper
> is available.
>
> If not, adapters from metric to SAE is the main obstacle
>
> The gas supply lines to the fridge are SAE 3/8"s.
>
> What I don't know is if the rest of the fridge connectors are also SAE.
>
>
> Robert
>
> 1982 Westfalia
>
--
Neil n
Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>