I've got a problem with the fridge in my Van. I've not used the Van yet since buying it but I've been testing things out today. Before I start I'll just point out I haven't yet tried the fridge on 240 volts or towing 12V.
The fridge lights up ok, The flame appears blue so that seems ok. It alters with each setting, 1,2 and 3 but the fridge isn't cooling. I left it burning today for several hours but nothing. Heat can be felt coming from the flue outside and I was getting a bit of condensation forming on the outside just above it.
I was hoping to use it on Gas in a couple of weeks time as I'm off out somewhere with no hookup.
I've heard of fridges not lighting before but not the problem have.
The only way to tell is to check the coldness inside the freezer compartment as it sometimes seems like the fridge itself isn't getting cold. It will get colder on gas than it will on 240 volt mains as well.
Hi, if you have a look on my thread domestic rm7291L
I had the same problem, mine was working ok on electric so check that first.
My fridge would light ok heat coming from vent, but would not cool
I spoke to a domestic engineer he said 99% it would be the burner or
The 45 jet as which was in my fridge.
I struggled getting fridge out took burner off & took jet out, to tell you the truth they did not look that bad, any way replaced burner & small
Jet.
Struggled even more to get fridge back in connected up, lite first time
Bingo ice box frozen.
Malcolm the engineer said you must make sure it works ok on electric
Before doing this, as it could be the unit in the fridge itself .
Hope this helps, cost: £38.85 for burner complete with igniter & £9.25
For jet.
If you can see the flame size changing on each setting and as you say, it's nice and blue, there in nothing wrong with it.
Try it on mains electic by all means but I suspect the fluids in the cooler unit have separated, very simple fix but you need to get the fridge out to do this.
But first and to check this, you can get at the lowest coolant tube in the circuit through the bottom vent outside, it's the flattened one along the bottom. This should be quite warm but not so you it would anywhere near burn you, if it is hotter the circulation has stopped as I expect.
So once out, turn fridge upside down for 20 seconds and then back for 20, do this three or four times. Finally on the last turn count the seconds for the last drop of fluid to drop, you want to count over 10, 12-15 is fantastic, less the ten and there's a blockage which still may prevent it working
Now having gone through the above, best if you rig it up to mains out of the van and plug it in to test.
Nothing will happen for 40 mins as cooling circuit gets going, then there should be a rapid cooling in the ice box down to minus numbers by 60mins in total.
Put a dessert spoon of water in a little tart dish and it should be beginning to freeze just after the hour
PS, if by chance you smell very strong cat pee! that's industrial Ammonia so the coolant is leaking, don't breath that in for long whatever you do!! but the cooling unit is scrap
My thoughts exactly regarding the flame. I really expected it to work after being happy with the flame but it was burning all afternoon yesterday while I did some other jobs but no Cooling.
The fridge hasn't been used for a while now. I've had the van since June last year and not used it and previously to that it had been stood in a Barn for 12 months or so. I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not regarding the separated fluids.
I remembered the previous owner telling me he removed the fridge and took it somewhere for a repair then re fitted it but I can't remember what the fault was. I might just give him a ring and ask him if I can find his number.
Lack of use is exactly why the fluids separate, once shook up to remix and used fairly regularly the circulation will keep them mixed and it will work fine
Can anyone please give me an idea on how the fridge comes out ?
I looked on youtube and a guy on there removed one with ease. There were four screws on the front holding it in and he removed the outside vent to release the gas flue.
I can't see any fixings on the front of my fridge so am a bit baffled as to how it's held in place.
Yes. I read on the internet somewhere about caps covering screws but I can't see anything like that in mine.
Mine is an old Electrolux fridge so maybe it differs in some way.
The only bit of it that can be removed by the looks of it is the small panel held on with two small self tappers at the top where the control knobs are.
Took the Caravan away on Friday until Monday afternoon. Set up on the grass nice and level, not perfect but good enough. Got the fridge going on Gas and within an hour it was cooling nicely. Kept it on for the whole weekend and cooling very well. Ice cold in fact.
I guess it may have been a levelling of the van issue. I've been told it has to be level to work on gas. I have heard that before but I thought you had problems lighting the burner if it wasn't level. Mine lit fine just didn't cool. Strange.
Anyway, Thanks to everyone for advice. Much appreciated.
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Topic: Electrolux RM212,F Fridge. Problem on Gas
