Help Dometic fridge problem

aussietraveller · Guru

Help Dometic fridge problem

Grubbygypsy · Senior Member

Mine began doing that at around 4 years old. By the time I noticed, I started trying to fault find, ended up driving the 40klm back to town a few days later and when I got there, the ammonia smell in the van was overwhelming (even though people on this forum have called me a liar about that). The coolant gas had let go completely by then. So prior to that it had been a small crack that was just getting worse. If you take the back of the fridge off (covers on outside of van), and you see bright yellow colouring in there, then fair chance the refrigerant has gone, and yes, it is replacement

. AES versions are even more expensive to replace. Ick.
Can't help you on repairers sorry, but phone dometic themselves, they're quite helpful.

Yuglamron · Guru

My fridge has given it away. Vitofrigio 12 Volt. Replacement cost around $2500 and whatever to fit. Has to come out the back window and have to remove the ladder to do that. I spoke to a fridge/Aircon repairer in Ipswich Qld and he will replace the whole compressor with a Danfoss compressor. Cost if I take it to his place $600.

Worth looking at a decent fridge repair service.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

When we arrived here before Christmas (Avoca Vic) we discovered our fridge wasn't running on gas. Lucky we could get power from sons place. Went to the local caravan repair place - they had it for half a day, and found a dead mouse (had a mouse plague onboard a while back) was blocking something, removed it, blew dust etc., all good - cost $40! We had started looking at prices of new fridge.

aussietraveller · Guru

Thanks for the help to date which I passed on to the guy beside us and he gave me a bit more info, the fridge is not working but the freezer section is working fine, I suspect this may well help to define the problem more easily.

reglynn · Guru

HI aussie, you haven't said if you were on gas or power.

If you are on power i can't help you.

If you are on gas, try and clean the jet with a bristle from a wire brush and the air holes by twisting with fingers a 1, 1.5 or 2 ml drill bit.

I have done this with our fridge after it would not get cold enough to keep the drinks cold, but the food in the freezer would stay frozen.

.cheers reg

Mike Harding · Guru

If the freezer is working properly then the cooling mechanism is working correctly.

Does it have two thermostats?

Door seal?

Tony Bev · Guru

I just googled "Patriot Van"

It is supposed to have a five year warranty, so perhaps that is one avenue to go down

I would also be getting a second opinion by a reputable gas fridge repairer, who would most probably give a written report of what is wrong with it

My gut feeling, (from trying to sort my own gas fridge problems), is that if the freezer is working, then the fridge is not a yet throw away item

aussietraveller · Guru

Thanks heaps for your reply's I have passed them on and they really appreciated your help.

oldtrack123 · Guru

The thermostat is low on the list

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 30th of March 2018 08:08:11 PM

oldtrack123 · Guru

The Freezer is first in line for the refrigerant ,so can still cool ,but not the frig section

Worst problem is that it has developed a leak in the system but that is usually accompanied by an ammonia odour

Easier to repair problems are:

[1] Fridge not level ,especially from side to side ,[That can cause permanent damage]

[2]If on gas , low heat input to the boiler [small ] jet clogged ,low gas pressure. etc

[3]The cold transfer paste between the fins & the plate in the fridge compartment is not performing

The last 2 are common & easily repairable by a competent person

The door seal could be the problem

The thermostat is low on the list

Treecrest · Veteran Member

Taking point 2 - have noticed our fidge doesn't work too well as the gas bottle gets low - just in case, has your neighbour swapped his gas over?

aussietraveller · Guru

Thanks everyone the guy has now moved on and was very appreciative of the advice from our forum and I have given him advice on how to join the forum.

He was very happy with Tony & Bev's advice as this has the potential to solve this and a couple of other problems.

Thanks all5

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We have a problem with our 3way Dometic fridge - not working on gas - fine while travelling with power form cranking battery, and fine on 240v - just not gas - going to change the gas bottle over, as per Treecrest's observation, and see how we go from there. Had a guy look at it a while ago, and it worked for a while, but then we have been on 240v the last three months.

Travelling back to QLD and means we can't free camp, unless we use genny, on the way.

msg · Guru

Hey, not good Jules. Andrew knows my fridge pretty well and has been working on it. (one of the issues delaying me lol) Maybe he can have a look when you get here. Though mine is 12v/240v absorption. don't know if he knows anything about gas appliances.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Thanks Mel - we are staying here in Chiltern another day - leave tomorrow - have a friend here, who is not too well, spending a bit of time with her.

msg · Guru

Don't hurry!!!!!. Take all the time you need.