Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 01:16:19 +0000
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: bhkraft@gj.net (Brian Kraft)
Subject: Re: Westfalia Dometic fridge and sink bowl trouble
>I've owned my 81 VW Westfalia for 11 years and have taken it from Yukon
>Territory to Matzatlan Mex. For the first time my propane mode fridge won't
>remain operational during the night and the sink drain plastic housing to
>hose has broken making it kaput for use. Any advise on repair of both would
>be appreciated. Found a RV center who will for $150 service Dometic fridge.
> thanks
>
>Chris from Calif
The fridge's flue, burner and jet probably need cleaning. Here's my story:
Over the years, the fridge in my '86 Westfalia became harder and harder to
light and keep lit. I would have to open the drain plug and attach a little
hose and bicycle tire pump to light it. Last year the drain tube got
clogged with what looked like reddish brown sand; dirt, rust and ash. I
Took it to one of the "Camping World" chain stores (a Dometic dealer) but
they were overbooked and couldn't get to it the day of my appointment which
meant spending an extra night in a motel! I asked the Service Manager if
there was a high altitude kit for the burner (I live in Colorado); he
checked around and told me there was no such kit available. I got him to
admit that the mechanics don't like to work on fridges in VW's, everything
is small compared to what they're used to and there's very little room to
work in. The mechanic broke a corner off of the cabinet trying to get the
fridge out but it he repaired it acceptably. If you still have the fridge
owner's manual, you might want to make it available to the service dept.
just in case they need it for the service info that's in it. The mechanic
told me that the pressure regulator has to be set just right or the fridge
won't operate properly. The total bill was $105, all labor, no parts.
Apparently it was pretty dirty in there as now the fridge starts right up
with one click of the Piezo knob.
Brian Kraft <bhkraft@gj.net> Grand Junction, Colorado
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