No cold beer !

[headlight]

Arrived at a site yesterday, no hook up, and for the first time my fridge won't work on gas.
The fridge is an old Dometic 3 way manual selection and has never had any problems before.
It lights fine but when I take my finger off the knob, no matter how long I hold the knob in, the flame goes out.
I'm assuming dirty jet or faulty thermocouple ?

 

[ctc]

See if the jet is still pointing at the thermocouple.

 

[Terry]

The TC may have moved away from the flame. Slide it back in place into the flame.

 

[Jev88]

Thermocouple issue. Not in flame or just needs replacing.

 

[headlight]

Thanks for the replies.
I've had the bottom fridge vent off and there is a metal plate covering the jet and thermocouple.
Obviously this plate needs to be removed to gain access.
It is held on by some screw.
I can get at the bottom screws but the top screws are several inches above the vent opening and a screwdriver won't get on the screw heads due to the angle.
I assume I'm going to have to get a screwdriver
with a flexible shaft.

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[Terry]

Remove bottom screw and bend plate out of way - check TC and then bend plate back

 

[headlight]

I've managed to get the plate off and this is what I can see.

 

[xsparks]

Another problem can also be the selector switch. Due to the low current flow and corrosion inside the swich the signal is too low for the gas valve. Try switching through the selections a few times.

 

[headlight]

With the vent and plate off it now won't light at all.
Gas is getting to the igniter and the igniter sparks but there is just a 'poof' noise as it tries to light but no flame.
There is a gentle breeze here, I don't know if that is stopping it lighting ?

 

[Terry]

Try lighting it with a lighter and see what happens It will be a two person job, one to hold gas button in on fridge and other to light the gas

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[Larby]

Blockage in gas feed. Blocked jet?

 

[dunnah01]

You could try to put a bit of card into the knob to pack it away from the valve spindle slightly to allow the valve to get a slightly longer push - works in my hob and oven

 

[chatteris]

my burner asembly was full of rust flakes so i would take burner assembly off and clean everything, make sure you dont lose the little jet cup inside

 

[pappajohn]

I assume I'm going to have to get a screwdriver
with a flexible shaft.

More like the fridge has to come out.

 

[rosalan]

Although a Dometic agent will usually fix this type of problem (which they get a lot of) expect to pay around £60 Or that is what I paid last time.

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[DBK]

As xsparks suggested, cycle the selector switch lots of times to clean the contacts. This is worth trying.

 

[headlight]

Still no cold beer.
I tried all the suggestions above yesterday and the flame still won't stay alight when you stop pressing the knob in.
I even kept the button pressed in for 30 minutes, the flame stayed lit but as soon as I let the button out the flame went out.
I assume the thermocouple has failed and is not opening to allow gas to the burner.
I think I'm going to have to get somebody to look it.

 

[Terry]

Yep sounds like Thermocouple
It’s easy to replace - plenty of video’s on you tube

 

[headlight]

I've just rung all the mobile engineers I can find in the area, 3 of them, and they either don't actually come out or are to busy.
I've found a Dometic service centre 50 miles away who I can take my motorhome to but they are fully booked for the next 3 weeks.
Also they informed me that due to covid they will only work on my fridge if the van is empty.
When I asked what they mean by empty they said I have to remove all bedding, matress, cushions, carpet and empty all cupboards, lockers and draws.
The only things I can leave in the van is any fixed seating.
Does this sound right to work on a fridge ?

 

[headlight]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a mobile engineer in the South Wales area that could have a look at my fridge ?

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I've just rung all the mobile engineers I can find in the area, 3 of them, and they either don't actually come out or are to busy.
I've found a Dometic service centre 50 miles away who I can take my motorhome to but they are fully booked for the next 3 weeks.
Also they informed me that due to covid they will only work on my fridge if the van is empty.
When I asked what they mean by empty they said I have to remove all bedding, matress, cushions, carpet and empty all cupboards, lockers and draws.
The only things I can leave in the van is any fixed seating.
Does this sound right to work on a fridge ?

That seems like a massive overkill on their part to say all those things need removing due to covid.
More likely its to protect them from any potential claim for damage or loss from belongings in the van.
Madness I know, but since Covid the world seems to have gone off on one.
Good luck in your search.
PS: quick tip for cold beer, fill bucket with cold water and stand tins/ bottles in that.
Might mean a few trips to the water tap to keep water refreshed and cool,but if needs must.........

 

[BillyKontiki]

Don’t you know a gas engineer mostly all fridges of that age work in the same way as older boilers he should be able to work out what the problem is.good luck.

 

[JockandRita]

I've just rung all the mobile engineers I can find in the area, 3 of them, and they either don't actually come out or are to busy.
I've found a Dometic service centre 50 miles away who I can take my motorhome to but they are fully booked for the next 3 weeks.
Also they informed me that due to covid they will only work on my fridge if the van is empty.
When I asked what they mean by empty they said I have to remove all bedding, matress, cushions, carpet and empty all cupboards, lockers and draws.
The only things I can leave in the van is any fixed seating.
Does this sound right to work on a fridge ?

Either they don't want the job and are trying to deter you, or they are hoping you'll comply, before arriving to fleece you good and proper.
Shysters by the sounds of things.
It is honestly not a difficult job to replace the thermocouple. Depending on the model of fridge, sourcing the right one may be more of a problem than fitting it.

Good luck getting sorted.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[repairer]

I once had an issue with fridge on one of my previous vans, checked all the obvious but still no joy, then tapped the valve that is opened by the thermocouple, it was stuck, small tap with bottom end of hammer shaft and it worked again, was OK thereafter, I put it down to lack of use on gas.

 

[headlight]

It has always worked fine on gas including our previous trip which was only 2 weeks ago.
The Dometic service place also want a non refundable £150 "investigation " fee.

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[Rogerwyn]

It has always worked fine on gas including our previous trip which was only 2 weeks ago.
The Dometic service place also want a non refundable £150 "investigation " fee.

Cut your loses find a pub and get it fixed when you get home

 

[headlight]

Cut your loses find a pub and get it fixed when you get home

That is getting it fixed when I get home
I'm getting an electric cool box tomorrow to tide me over as the plan was to stay on this site for 2 weeks.

 

[Toady]

Are you still looking for a Dometic Engineer in south Wales?

 

[headlight]

Are you still looking for a Dometic Engineer in south Wales?

Yes I am.

 

[Toady]

I hope this helps. If he is not available then let me know as I know somebody else.