Date:         Thu, 18 Jun 1998 10:50:40 -0400
Reply-To:     Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
Organization: Mount Saint Vincent University
Subject:      Re: Need Dometic Diagnois
Comments: To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM

I'm no expert, (I've only had two different Westy fridges apart to
clean them) but Yes, the hole in the bottoon left of the interior
came with a clear plastic plug (like a big fiber optic) so that one
could SEE the flame.  One of my fridges didn't work because that
plastic 'lens' had melted over the flame part.  If it were me, I'd
plug the hole with shoe goo.  Re the door, can you slightly bend the
metal catch/latch on the frame (not the plastic door latch) so that
the door will close more tightly??

I'm going to tackle my fridge (and stove on my 'new' 91 westy) this
weekend so I'm following this thread.

Good Luck,      Malcolm S

> I realize fridge questions tend to be repetitive but the camping season is
> here and we need it to work.
>
>  We have pulled it out ('85 Westy)  cleaned it, blown out the combustion
> area, had it bench checked on a/c, propane and d/c at our local RV dealer,
> have talked to Dometic a number of times but still have the same problem.
> The fridge will go down to 27 degrees F. at night but during the day will
> climb with the outside temperature which I would expect.  The fan is going
> on and off I am told-properly. Here is the problem..  When running on
> propane WHILE DRIVING (sorry for shouting, but this is the improtant part)
> it will loose about a half a degree every 15-20 minutes or so.  We keep a
> digital readout probe in the fridge so we can monitor it without opening
> the door.  Dometic suggested that the door gasket should be replaced but
> when we called for the part, Dometic no longer makes one for it and there
> is no easy replacement.  I have noticed quite a bit of play in the door
> itself, maybe 1/4"-3/8".  There is no adjustment on the striker plate to
> tighten the door but it looks like if the front panel of the fridge can be
> removed, it could be shimmed out, tightening the door, am I correct?  Also,
> the little (usless) sight hole in the interior bottom left corner, is it
> supposed to have a plastic or glass thing in the hole?  Ours is just a
> hole, would this have anything to do with it. Would putting some of that
> reflective insulation against the outside wall of the van behind the fridge
> help?  Any suggestions are welcomed as I really want this thing to work
> right as it used to.
>
> Wendy & John
> Cape Cod, MA
>
> '85 Westy,   "S-CAPE"
> LiMBO members
>