Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (August 1998, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 5 Aug 1998 21:07:38 -0400
Reply-To:     Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@HALHINET.ON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@HALHINET.ON.CA>
Subject:      Re: Dometic drain plug removal; 86 Westfalia
Comments: To: Rich Durant <rich_durant@MENTORG.COM>,
          Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Rich, if the fridge has not been used for a long time, it is normal (at least for me) to have difficulty getting the fridge propane burner to light. The problem, I believe, is caused by having air in the propane line to the fridge

Here is a procedure that has always worked for me (eventually): After turning on the main propane valve on the tank, light one of your stove top burners and let it burn until the flame is pure blue (no red). Ok, now turn the stove off and turn the fridge propane valve on (the knob on the extreme right turned from "O" to "I"). Turn the temperature setting to MAX. Press and hold the gas starter valve (the button on the right side of the air pump) for about 15-20 seconds. The idea here is to let propane into the combustion chamber and flush out any air in the line. {%^$#&#} Unscrew the drain cap at the bottom left hand side of the fridge; attach a plastic hose to the drain; and blow into the hose as hard and as long as you can stand (I cheat and use compressed air). Here, you are trying to remove the excess propane from the combustion chamber) Turn on the camping indicator light console so that you can watch the "*" light which will glow when the fridge propane combustion chamber is lit. Now take hold of the fridge air pump and give it 20 to 30 pumps. Don't push the pump so far as to cause it to click (see the next step). Press and hold the gas starter valve and simultaneously press the air pump all the way in until it clicks. You should see a flash through the hole in the lower back left corner of the fridge. Continue to hold down the gas starter valve until the "*" light glows or for a maximum of 15-20 seconds. If you are lucky and the "*" light starts to glow, release the gas starter valve. If the glow begins to diminish, push the gas starter valve back in and hold it a while longer. If no glow then go back to step {%^$#&#} above. (I have never had this work the first time and rarely on the second attempt) If you have success, check the "*" light periodically over the next few minutes. If it goes out it is usually easy to re-light using the orthodox (see the book) procedure. (I've only had it go out on me once)

> I'm trying to remove the cap so that I can get some extra air for combustion > when lighting the fridge on propane use per the various references in the > archives.

I don't know of anyone who has ever suggested leaving the cap off under any circumstances.

> When I try to light the fridge I see a yellow flash but I never get a blue > flame

Don't worry about not seeing the blue flame, this is reserved for the chosen few. Larry '86 Syncro Westfalia


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.