Gas problem with Fridge (Dangerous?)

[barryd]

Will try and keep this as brief as possible. Got an issue with our Electrolux 3 way fridge. Its the original one I guess (1996 Kontiki). Just before we came away my Motorhome guy fitted a burner from another fridge as ours was knackered. Came away last Wednesday and I noticed it was not getting cold properly and there was a smell (acrid burnt smell). I have a 12 year old Gaslow system and a separate Calor. Swapped to Calor with a different regulator and everything started working as it should and no smell. Fridge got cold. So I figured it was maybe the regulator on the Gaslow bottle that was the problem. So as the Gaslow bottle was full I swapped the regulator form the Calor onto the Gas low (they take the same flying saucer type). Seemed fine. Fridge worked and no smell. Fast forward a few days and the smell is back. In fact it set off the Co2 alarm last night at bed time. I have been keeping the alarm in the vicinity of the fridge. So we switched off the Fridge and went to bed.

Lit the fridge this morning and its still stinking. I checked the exhaust pipe outlet outside and I think its working but it has yellowed somewhat. My guesswork opinion is something in the Gaslow bottle is knackering the regulators so tomorrow ill get a new regulator, get a new 6kg Calor and try that. For now I think we will at least switch the fridge off at night. Im not really in a good position to get it looked at professionally. If my plan does not work For now it will either be a case of finding hookup (doubtful), not using the fridge at all (PIA) or going home and seeking professional gas expert help.

Just looking for ideas and or advice please.

 

[harrow]

All things are possible, but it needs someone to be able to see the burner and chimney to see whats going on.

Does the cooker and grill work correctly, if they do then it looks like its the fridge itself thats at fault.

 

[mikejay]

Seen something similar on my mates van a few years ago it was setting his c/o alarm off and smelt funny also made the vent outside yellow. when we took his fridge out on an aire in France we noticed the coiled bit of metal that hangs down in the flue had jumped of its hook and down the flue tube onto the burner. Checked mine the other month when replacing a thermocouple and found the hook to be very rusty ready to snap. Worth checking out if you have the older electrolux type fridge.

Mike

 

[barryd]

Thanks. My motorhome fixer just fitted this new burner but I do know it was just one he robbed from a random fridge in his garage. However I also know that when I swapped to the calor from the gaslow and a different regulator it stopped smelling and the fridge started cooling properly. Also the cooker rings were better. The mistake I made was then swapping back to the gaslow and moving the good calor regulator onto the gaslow bottle. I have a feeling the gaslow bottle is gunging up regulators.

The only way to test this theory to now buy a new regulator and also a new calor as this one's about empty and run with that. I'll do that in the morning.

If its not that and involved ripping everything out I'll have to get someone else to do it. I'm just not up to the job.

 

[r4dent]

At 12 years old you need a new Gaslow cylinder. Might not be the cause of the problem but could invalidate your insurance

Gaslow R67 11kg Refillable Cylinder No.1

The NEW Gaslow R67 11kg Refillable Cylinder is designed for installation in your caravan/motorhome locker They can be filled using the Gaslow Filler Kit at thousands of LPG stations across the UK and Europe Features automatic 80% shut off valve, over pressure relief valve, filter, excess flow...

www.gaslowdirect.com

"After 10 years you must return your cylinder to Gaslow who will exchange it and charge a replacement fee. "

 

[dunfillin]

"Thanks. My motorhome fixer just fitted this new burner but I do know it was just one he robbed from a random fridge in his garage."

"At 12 years old you need a new Gaslow cylinder. "

Seems like you might need a new motorhome fixer as well.
Could well be a carbon monoxide (CO) issue.

 

[barryd]

At 12 years old you need a new Gaslow cylinder. Might not be the cause of the problem but could invalidate your insurance

Gaslow R67 11kg Refillable Cylinder No.1

The NEW Gaslow R67 11kg Refillable Cylinder is designed for installation in your caravan/motorhome locker They can be filled using the Gaslow Filler Kit at thousands of LPG stations across the UK and Europe Features automatic 80% shut off valve, over pressure relief valve, filter, excess flow...

www.gaslowdirect.com

"After 10 years you must return your cylinder to Gaslow who will exchange it and charge a replacement fee. "

Ill speak to them. Its been well used I guess. Will see if changing to a new regulator and fresh Calor makes any difference tomorrow first.

 

[Nabsim]

Early Gaslow bottles were okay for 15 years so heck date stamp if you are concerned. Wouldn’t think date would make any difference though it’s only a stamp. I think there is a valve or filter which is the part that relates to the date stamp but can’t recall which, give Gaslow a call and ask Martin.

 

[TeamRienza]

Did I read at some time in the past, and I am often wrong,! That over a period of years of refilling that the ‘heavy ends’ could accumulate were this is not the case with exchange bottles.
Could this affect the quality of burn ?

Davy

 

[wints]

I had 2 x 13 kg Gasits with similar probs re: smell/carbon monoxide alarm screaming....cleaned jet / flue / burner many times....finally changed the regulator, cured!
That was 2 years ago, no probs since.

Allen

 

[rugbyken]

the smell additive to lpg accumulates, i can tell by the smell when my bottle is running out and of course if there is more additive = less gas ,

 

[mfw]

You could check your supply hoses whether stainless or rubber you only get 5 year lifespan on rubber hoses against 20 or 25 on stainless ones

 

[Peo]

One reason could be soot on the burner from the flu. How often have people cleaned it ???.
Before you pay anymore money out take the screw out the top of the flu and unhook the deflector then below move the burner away. Either use a pipe cleaner or a piece of string with a weight on the bottom and tie a couple of strips of cloth say a third and 2 thirds up it and pull up and down. Even if it isn't that it's a good maintenance job to do anyway

 

[barryd]

Thanks once again. Well today I bought a new regulator. Slapped it on the calor and no smell at the moment. Can't even really smell it coming out of the exhaust on the side of the van.

Early days but it does appear that the gaslow bottle is the culprit and it's also screwing up the regulators.

I shall leave this new one on this calor until it runs out and just get a new calor when it's done. I guess the gaslow bottle needs looking at or replacing.

Hoses are rubber but were replaced a few years back.

 

[barryd]

An update. I think its all down to exhaust fumes getting blown back into the van. Last couple of days where we were parked the wind has been increasing and blowing against the side of the van either at an angle or directly and the drafts coming in from the kitchen area are quite noticeable as is the smell which of course causes the Co2 alarm to go off eventually.

Its not been that easy to turn round for various reasons but this morning I have and so far so good. No smell or alarm. Maybe its a combination of not a very good combustion combined with the exhaust fumes just getting blown back into the van but perhaps its nothing to do with the Gaslow or dodgy regulators at all. Total PIA though.

 

[dunfillin]

See my previous post #7 regarding carbon monoxide.
The CO2 alarm you refer to is no such thing - it will be a CO alarm which indicates incomplete combustion and that there is spillage of these flue products into the habitation area.
Such a situation is extremely dangerous and could be potentially fatal.
As such, it needs to be rectified ASAP.
You should be aware that carbon monoxide has no smell but your detector would not be going off if there was no CO present

 

[barryd]

I think the issue is possibly incomplete combustion but also a very badly sealed kitchen. I've noticed there is a new gap at the top of the fridge and one of the drawers has a gap and the drafts were howling through both when we were side ways to the wind. I've sealed these as best I can with tape for now and while the wind is on the other side of the van it seems ok.

There is a distinct horrible smell outside though where the flue exhaust is and it's yellowed a bit so I think it's a combination of incorrect combustion and too many gaps in the kitchen and fridge. I have the alarm sat on the fridge and it's fine for now. Wind is set to be the same direction for days so will see how it goes but I'll turn it of at bedtime regardless.

Needs overhauling by a pro really but it's not possible here.

 

[Markd]

At 12 years old you need a new Gaslow cylinder. Might not be the cause of the problem but could invalidate your insurance

Gaslow R67 11kg Refillable Cylinder No.1

The NEW Gaslow R67 11kg Refillable Cylinder is designed for installation in your caravan/motorhome locker They can be filled using the Gaslow Filler Kit at thousands of LPG stations across the UK and Europe Features automatic 80% shut off valve, over pressure relief valve, filter, excess flow...

www.gaslowdirect.com

"After 10 years you must return your cylinder to Gaslow who will exchange it and charge a replacement fee. "

Except that there is no legal requirement for personal users to get new bottles - yes for commercial use but not private.

Here's Gaslow latest position.

Re-certified Gaslow Cylinders

How does the Re-certification or Replacement cylinder Scheme work? Option1 Gaslow can offer you a like for like cylinder re-certification scheme, where

www.gaslowdirect.com

Whilst in the past they tried to sell you a brand new bottle they will now do an exchange for £99.

Gasit are explicit in saying you don't have to retest.

 

[mfw]

Except that there is no legal requirement for personal users to get new bottles - yes for commercial use but not private.

Here's Gaslow latest position.

Re-certified Gaslow Cylinders

How does the Re-certification or Replacement cylinder Scheme work? Option1 Gaslow can offer you a like for like cylinder re-certification scheme, where

www.gaslowdirect.com

Whilst in the past they tried to sell you a brand new bottle they will now do an exchange for £99.

Gasit are explicit in saying you don't have to retest.

Thats good then - not sure it is a bargain if you have to return old bottle to loughborough fuel costs - maybe 20% off their prices but they are retail prices - you can buy bits cheaper if you shop around - not really cost effective for me and i'm only 150 mls away

 

[Markd]

Agreed - a lot of their stuff can be got 20% cheaper elsewhere anyway.
If all you are doing is getting a replacement bottle what would want extra stuff.
Carry on with your old bottle.