Gas appliance problems

MartianTom

Guest
Hi folks,

Having recently bought my first (used) MH, I haven't encountered any real problems with anything until now - the bus has just been too well and scrupulously looked after by one previous careful owner.

I got a gas bottle today, though, and have had a few problems. The cooker works fine, but I can't get either the Electrolux fridge or the Truma heater to ignite, despite following the instructions to the letter several times. All the taps are definitely in the 'On' position... but no go. The heater isn't so important at the moment, but I would like to get the fridge running for wild camping.

Could it be that the igniters are worn out? I check the glass spyhole in the fridge when I'm trying the ignition, but can't see any spark on the click. Should a spark be visible?

Thanks for any advice/pointers. I haven't been smelling any gas, but as I said - the taps are definitely open.
 
gas problem

just a thought. as there are two appliences that are not working i think you should try to check that the gas is getting through first regards .tobeornot2be
 
It is difficult to see the ignition spark at the best you are sure you have the fridge gas isolating valve turned on Ok is the thermostat set at 4 it will take a few attempts to purge the air out of the pipe try using a cardboard tube out of roll of kitchen towel or similar over the glass spyhole this gives a better view, you must press the gas valve knob in firmly as you press the ignitor

Alf
 
We might need some help with the models of both fridge and heater to give some more assistance.

Common problem for Truma heaters is not removing the external flue cover - CO monitor will shut down the ignition sequence.

Fridges - easiest is that the 12V supply is too low to the thermostat controls and not allowing the gas to remain ignited - ie failsafe.
 
Fridges - easiest is that the 12V supply is too low to the thermostat controls and not allowing the gas to remain ignited - ie failsafe.
Click to expand...

Or you have switched off the 12V supply to both these appliances. They need that for the control boards - and the ignitors - to operate.
 
If the cookers working OK it means the gas is turned on and I guess you haven't turned of any of the isolating valves, so it could just be air that needs purging just keep pushing the thermo-electric valve for a few seconds at a time, then let it stand before you push the ignitor, otherwise you may get a bang. If you know how to remove the bottom vent on the outside get someone to do the igniting on the inside of the van whilst you observe what's happening outside, you can see the burner from there, you may need a small mirror. I suspect it's air that needs purging though if your heater isn't working either. Just a thought, I'm assuming the heater and fridge worked OK before you changed the bottle, or is this the first time you have connected a bottle to the van?
 
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I may be stating the obvious, but you have been pushing the temperature button in while trying to ignite it?

This opens up the gas valve to allow a flow of gas before the thermo couple can do it's job and allow a constant flow.

You will need to hold this in for the count of ten (aprox) once the flame has lit to allow the thermo couple to get warm.
 
I had prob with mine when first got van

If i pushed the temperature knob to start gas flow, nothing happened.

I pulled the knob off and used a pair of pliers to push stem in, worked a treat, so just filled the hole in the knob with small piece of plastic to allow stem to push in fully
 
Thanks everyone :D

My mistake with the heater. I was expecting to see blue flames through the vents a la Super Ser heaters. It works, though.

As for the fridge.... I've tried all your suggestions. I rang the dealer, who suggested taking off the side vent cover and hoovering out in case the burner was blocked with dust. Did all that. Still nothing. I've not yet had a chance to try it on mains (lack of nearby sockets) and, of course, it won't chill down on 12v. Guess I'll just have to drop it in at a local MH dealer and get it checked out.

The previous owner has glued a thermometer over the model number, but it looks like (Electrolux) RM 4390.
 
Brief update...

I went wildcamping last night and tried the fridge again. This time, on a couple of occasions, I saw a white flame briefly flare in the spy hole. I kept the regulator knob pressed down... but nothing else happened. I then tried again several times afterwards. I'd say that once in probably 8 times of trying, I saw that white flame flare quickly... and then nothing. The other times, I saw nothing at all.

I rang a local dealer, who wants £72 quid just to check for a fault.

Any ideas anyone, please? Do you think that it's just that the burner wants a thorough clean?
 
I'm a long way short of an expert on this but a white flame does sound like poor air flow.

Richard
 
It sounds like there is something obstructing the burner. Gas is getting through or you wouldn't see the flash of flame, but the flame isn't stabilising.

You really need to get at the back of the fridge so that you can see the burner - without knowing which model it is it's hard to advise how to do it but, at least on the older ones, there is usually a removable shield around the burner.

There's a good schematic of a Dometic fridge on the Leisureshopdirect website here: Dometic Gas Burner Assembly with Jet 45 - Dometic RM4281LM Absorption Refrigerator Spare Parts
Exact details will vary between models but the principal components will be the same.
Possible problems:
The spark electrode (442) may be dirty or loose, or have a bad connection in the lead, meaning the the spark might be ineffective.
The burner cup (108) may have debris in it.
The jet (110) may be partly blocked (it can't really be cleaned and should be replaced)
Dust may have been drawn into the square section burner tube through the small air hole.
While you have it all removed it's a good idea to pull out the baffle (102) and clean out the heating tube to get rid of rust and dust particles, if the burner has been running with a yellow flame the tube may have carbon deposits in it.

As with all gas appliances you do need to be very sure that you are competent and have the practical skills to do the job safely. If in any doubt leave it to the professionals!

AndyC
 
MartianTom said:
Brief update...

I went wildcamping last night and tried the fridge again. This time, on a couple of occasions, I saw a white flame briefly flare in the spy hole. I kept the regulator knob pressed down... but nothing else happened. I then tried again several times afterwards. I'd say that once in probably 8 times of trying, I saw that white flame flare quickly... and then nothing. The other times, I saw nothing at all.

I rang a local dealer, who wants £72 quid just to check for a fault.

Any ideas anyone, please? Do you think that it's just that the burner wants a thorough clean?
Click to expand...
Those caravan fitters rip you off, and in my experience they ain't much wiser than us amateurs. It seems your burner and flue need cleaning out, an easy job. Remove the two outside upper and lower vent covers, make sure the wiring is free to move, sometimes it's held up with cable ties, just inside the fridge door you will see four plastic plugs behind which are four screws, when these screws are removed it is just a matter of pulling the fridge forward about 6" to access the gas union connection, once this union is disconnected the fridge just pulls right out, so's you can get at everything at the back, burner, flue, etc. Borrow a copy of the Haynes "Motorcaravan Manual" from your public library, there's instructions in there about how to clean out the burner and flue. For spares, burner, injector, etc. try caravan accessories,caravan parts,caravan spares,caravan breakers,west midlands, Cheapest Caravan Parts In The West Midlands.

N.B. When you have the gas supply disconnected you will see what looks like cotton wool shoved up the inlet pipe on the fridge...it's supposed to be there it acts as a filter.

EDIT: I should point out before the doom and gloom brigade crawl out and cry "Gas Safe!!", I was a Gas Engineer for 35 years and my final position before retirement was as Service Manager for a Large National Gas Supplier.
 
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Thanks again, all. I've got a copy of that schematic, and I'll get hold of that Haynes manual, too. If I think it's more than I can safely handle, then I'll leave well alone and get a gas engineer to take a look.

Wild camped at Canterbury Beer Festy last night. How nice it was to stagger back from the arena to my home on wheels for a good night's sleep! Fridge or no fridge, I'm mightily enjoying the whole experience. Wish I'd bought one years ago...
 
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gas safe shouldnt work on m,homes if they are for private . they arent qualified. there is a note on their website for every one to see. bit like corgi ,they wernt either.
 
mabey rust

had exatly the same prob with my fridge,turned out to be a accumalation of rust in the breathing/exhaust pipe not letting it draw the air it needs to burn,easy fix if you can get at it from the outside acess panel,also got a buterfly valve in same pipe,give that a good giong over with w.d....good luck john
 
vwalan said:
gas safe shouldnt work on m,homes if they are for private . they arent qualified. there is a note on their website for every one to see. bit like corgi ,they wernt either.
Click to expand...
A Gas Safe registered fitter may be qualified to work on leisure vehicle gas systems if they have done the appropriate ACS LPG Caravan courses.

A friend of mine who is Gas Safe registered used to specialise in LPG systems for boats but did the courses for caravans, motorhomes and park homes a few years ago.

Alan is right that you do not have to be Gas Safe registered to work on privately owned motorhomes and caravans (and boats for that matter), unless they are a main residence or are hired out.

AndyC
 
MartianTom said:
Brief update...

I went wildcamping last night and tried the fridge again. This time, on a couple of occasions, I saw a white flame briefly flare in the spy hole. I kept the regulator knob pressed down... but nothing else happened. I then tried again several times afterwards. I'd say that once in probably 8 times of trying, I saw that white flame flare quickly... and then nothing. The other times, I saw nothing at all.

I rang a local dealer, who wants £72 quid just to check for a fault.

Any ideas anyone, please? Do you think that it's just that the burner wants a thorough clean?
Click to expand...
Tbh if you don't know when the fridge was last profesionaly serviced I would pay the dealer to do it and then once you know its done and safe then learn how to do it yourself
 
Okay... I'm getting a MH repairer to have a look at it. I took the vents off and looked around, but didn't like to touch anything. Also, I undid the 4 screws inside the fridge to pull it out, but it wouldn't budge, and I can't see that it's anchored anywhere, or that the wiring is tied up. I'm pretty practical with most things - but I know when I'm getting out of my comfort zone!

I camped at a site last night, so got around to trying everything out. The fridge works fine on 240v. Everything else seems ok (except the shower head's knackered, and I think a new leisure battery might be a good idea!)

Thanks again, guys and gals! :D
 
How long???

Huh... so much for getting a MH repairer to do the job!

I finally located a mobile repairer in the area - genuine-sounding chap, unlike the dealer I got the MH from originally - and described the problem to him: not firing up, brief white flame about once every 12 or so tries, whilst working fine on the 240v. He said he'd be happy to service it, but wasn't convinced it would solve the problem, and didn't want to waste my money. He suggested replacing the burner unit (with jet) and the thermo-couple. About an hour's labour. £160. I gave the go-ahead... and then he said the earliest he could do it would be 5th September!! :(

Hm. It's keep looking, I guess...

UPDATE: Typical, eh? Found a motorhome repairer just along the road who will do a service for £65. He reckons it's just non-use on the gas, which may well be right as the previous owner wasn't a wild-camper from what I can gather!
 
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