- Jun 19, 2024
- 105
- 327
- Funster No
- 103,966
- MH
- Auto-Trail C72
- Exp
- Since 2015 as a renter, since 2024 as an owner
Our Auto-Trail C72 Expedition, bought by us in December 2024, was first registered in March 2023, so the fridge is just two years old.
It went back to our vendor last week because the gas wouldn't light. The service engineer said it (can't recall the part he named) had a build up of dirt on it, so just needed cleaning. Sure enough, when we collected it, he showed me that the dial was over the green, so it was running.
I tried it the other day and it ignited, but cut off after a few minutes. I lit it again and the same thing happened. I don't think it was a gas flow problem as I had a hob ring lit at the same time.
I brought the van home today to try and fathom out what was happening.
The first thing I did was connect up a new gas bottle.
Sure enough, the fridge lit first time and the dial went over the green, but it went off after five minutes. I tried a few times more, but it went off after between three and eight minutes.
It was really windy outside, so I wondered if that was the problem. I don't have a winter vent cover so I McGuyvered the lower vent cover thus...
leaving just the bottom holes uncovered...
It lit and stayed lit. I thought I had cracked it, but it went off after fourteen minutes. I tried it again, but this time it went off after six minutes.
I took the van back to the storage yard; where it is parked there is a storage container on the nearside, so the fridge vents are sheltered from the wind. With the duct tape still on the back of the vent cover, I tried again, confident that the flame couldn't be blown out by the wind.
Sure enough, it went out after five minutes the first time, and four minutes the second time.
I am well and truly flummoxed!
I've left a message with the vendor for their service engineer to call me next week.
A search on these boards revealed a post from last year where a contributor had a similar problem with their van, bought new in May 2023, and being informed that Dometic revealed some fridge units had faulty burners. I'm just wondering if that could be our problem.
It went back to our vendor last week because the gas wouldn't light. The service engineer said it (can't recall the part he named) had a build up of dirt on it, so just needed cleaning. Sure enough, when we collected it, he showed me that the dial was over the green, so it was running.
I tried it the other day and it ignited, but cut off after a few minutes. I lit it again and the same thing happened. I don't think it was a gas flow problem as I had a hob ring lit at the same time.
I brought the van home today to try and fathom out what was happening.
The first thing I did was connect up a new gas bottle.
Sure enough, the fridge lit first time and the dial went over the green, but it went off after five minutes. I tried a few times more, but it went off after between three and eight minutes.
It was really windy outside, so I wondered if that was the problem. I don't have a winter vent cover so I McGuyvered the lower vent cover thus...
leaving just the bottom holes uncovered...
It lit and stayed lit. I thought I had cracked it, but it went off after fourteen minutes. I tried it again, but this time it went off after six minutes.
I took the van back to the storage yard; where it is parked there is a storage container on the nearside, so the fridge vents are sheltered from the wind. With the duct tape still on the back of the vent cover, I tried again, confident that the flame couldn't be blown out by the wind.
Sure enough, it went out after five minutes the first time, and four minutes the second time.
I am well and truly flummoxed!
I've left a message with the vendor for their service engineer to call me next week.
A search on these boards revealed a post from last year where a contributor had a similar problem with their van, bought new in May 2023, and being informed that Dometic revealed some fridge units had faulty burners. I'm just wondering if that could be our problem.