We have a Peugeot Auto cruise Vista 2000.We have never used it for holidays yet but went for a run and a brew yesterday and noticed a terrible draft from around the fridge and the drawer above.We realise that there is a vent at the back of the fridge but should it be so drafty?It was a windy and cold day but any comments would be good.
Hi
There shouldn't really be any draught from around the fridge,as it(it's flame, exhaust etc) should be fully sealed from the habitation area of the van..
Some fridges, even in newish vans aren't always sealed as well as they should be but being an older van, it's always possible that your fridge has been out at some stage and has not refitted correctly?...
Worth getting it checked out to be on the safe side, seeing as you say you've "never used it" before...?
You could specifically ask for it to be checked at the next habitation service.
We have the same problem at home around the washing machine, and wedged pipe insulation tubes cut in half into the gaps. But that's not something I'd do with equipment that can run on gas.
Thanks for your comments so far.We had a habitation check done October 2016 and they fitted a new outside vent to the van so is there something they should have done that they have missed
I suppose it is "possible"?(although unlikely).
I would've thought, the chances are it has always been draughty, it's just that you haven't noticed...?
You can get winter covers for the vents. These partially cover the air vent not the gas exhaust. Should be used when temp drops below 5-8 degs and makes the fridge more efficient. Also stops rain and snow getting in.
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Ive got a Peugeot 2010 Autocruise Alto and it has two non sealed vents at the back of the fridge too. The fridge is a 12v compressor - so not worries about gas sealing etc. I didn't think compressor fridges needed vents (certainly didn't have one on my last van) - so have been tempted to seal them up in the winter.
"We have never used it for holidays yet"
"We had a habitation check done October 2016"
is 2016 date a typo?
How long have you owned the van please.?
When it had the habitation check you mention, did you mention this draft? Or did they say the vent needed to be there / need replacing ?
we have had the van since August 2016 but due to illness we have been unable to use for holidays,hoping to get the chance some time this year.
We dont know if there was a draft when we got the van.When we had the check done they changed the outsde vent because previously it wasnt vented out properly so now we have noticed this draft we are wondering if they should have sealed or resealed something.
Janice, I have had a look at images of the Autocruise Vista (very nice little van by the way) and the images appear to me to show the usual (from the outside of course) 2 vents, one above the other.
Not being familiar with your van I had to do that in order for others to be able to try to help you. Some of the vans show the vents in what appear to be open, and some in 'closed' position. We all know that gas has to be vented, treated with respect etc. I am only guessing that the 'fridge runs on gas as the vents are there. Please would it be possible to let us know if the vent / vents were replaced with what are known as summer or winter vents, (Summer being a larger size of open grid and winter being less so) and if they appear to be the same as those that were replaced, if indeed you can remember what they looked like.
If you keep the van at home, and can shift the side of the van to face the vents into the wind. You could then block off the vents, on the outside, with some tape and a piece of card and see how that affects things, and also the opposite...open them to see if it makes things worse. I think that would be the best way to establish if the vents are the entry point of the draught.
Good luck.
Thanks Austins for your trouble. There are two vents on the outside of the van one at top and one at bottom.The bottom vent is rectangular and all the fins are open.The vent at the top is rectangular and mainly open fins but the end where the chimney comes out from the back of the fridge is slightly covered.There is no means of adjusting either of the vents,they are fixed.Thinking maybe there is some sealing to be done in the habitation area.
Now the vent situation is here for all to see I hope that someone with far more knowledge than I will be onto it
and able to help you.
I do know that some vents can have 'winter covers' and summer ones. Try the piece of card taped to them both, and se if this makes any difference. The reason I say this is, it is not given that these vents are the problem...it may be coming from under the 'fridge on the 'floor'. If the card makes no difference you can then look at the flooring.
HOWEVER...please remember that gas is 'heavy' and all floors do have holes in them especially for your safety, gas kills, and drain holes MUST not be covered.I would prefer to err on the safety side of things. For the same reason I said use cardboard to check if the fridge vents are the problem. Once you have found out where and why is the time to safely seal or rectify and gaps between the sides of fridge and cabinetry. Good luck.
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Topic: DRAFTY MOTORHOME
