Replacing an external fridge vent advice please.

Wisewoman

Wisewoman

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Hi all,

So after making the stupid decision to take my VW T4 camper to a hand wash place where they used 'jets', which promptly bust some of my fins on one of my external fridge vents which must have been brittle with age, I need to replace one..

So, i've got hold of another 'MPK external fridge vent'. As its goign to look shiny white compared to the other higher vent, which is a faded UV goldenised white (AKA dirty yellow), I may replace both for the sake of aesthetics.

My questions: I have a three way fridge - is there likely to be anything attached to the back on one of those external vents thus making what appears like a simple 8 screws and replace job, more difficult?

When I reattach the new one should i put a bead of silicon all the way round behind it on its back and also go round the edges with clear silicon too after its fixed tight? Or should I use something else or nothing at all? I was goign to put a small dob of silicon also into each screw hole . I've not done anything like this before so newbies advice please. :)

Many thanks
Melissa
 
There shouldn’t be anything attached to the back of the vent.
And no, I wouldn’t advise putting silicone around the outside, that might make it difficult to remove in the future should the need arise.
 
Are you sure the broken fridge vent is a MPK vent. If so it will be a direct swap it may be bedded on with mastic or other type of sealant.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
you could always see what the other had in regards Sealant or tape etc once removed.
If it is stuck quite well with something after the screws have been removed, dental floss does a good job of "cutting" through close to the bodywork using a sawing motion, while causing no damage.
 
If you have a 12volt cooling fan retro fitted it may be attached to the vent by screws or ratchet ties.
 
My vents are just held in by one screw the frame that holds it would be harder to remove but will you have to if its just the fins broken
 
As advised above silicon sealant is next to useless on a motorhome.

Butyl rubber is the best option but can be messy. A good alternative is polyurethane sealant which is available in various colours and is very long lived but still fairly easy to remove.
 
Alf said:
Are you sure the broken fridge vent is a MPK vent. If so it will be a direct swap it may be bedded on with mastic or other type of sealant.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it is, so fingers crossed its a straightforward swap out!

POI Admin said:
As advised above silicon sealant is next to useless on a motorhome.

Butyl rubber is the best option but can be messy. A good alternative is polyurethane sealant which is available in various colours and is very long lived but still fairly easy to remove.
Click to expand...

OK - thanks to the comments about silicon - on a related note - is the polyurethane sealant or the butyl rubber sealant also any good around the windows? I have one window that has been resealed by someone in the vans past and the jet wash removed some of it too so need to look at redoing a dodgy bit of window! I shall get one of the alternatives suggested.

Thanks everyone also for indicating that there shouldnt be anything attached to the back of these vents! :)

I'm now praying that the screws don't cause me trouble - I guess I shall find out later this week when I attempt to do it! :)
Cheers everyone and Thanks!
Melissa
 
don't worry about the screws. if any of them strip , they can be replaced with slightly bigger screws or pop rivets .
just for general info . i have done many vans ,and only used silicone to fix ceramic tiles to walls and floors . and grout with white builder's caulk. excellent !
 
Wisewoman said:
I'm pretty sure it is, so fingers crossed its a straightforward swap out!



OK - thanks to the comments about silicon - on a related note - is the polyurethane sealant or the butyl rubber sealant also any good around the windows? I have one window that has been resealed by someone in the vans past and the jet wash removed some of it too so need to look at redoing a dodgy bit of window! I shall get one of the alternatives suggested.

Thanks everyone also for indicating that there shouldnt be anything attached to the back of these vents! :)

I'm now praying that the screws don't cause me trouble - I guess I shall find out later this week when I attempt to do it! :)
Cheers everyone and Thanks!
Melissa
Click to expand...

If sealant has been removed by a jet wash it's almost certainly the wrong type of sealant.

Ideally the window should be removed and refitted using butyl rubber. This is available on rolls preformed to a given width and thickness.

As an interim measure if the above is not feasible I would remove all loose sealant around the window using a tool that won't damage the bodywork. An expired credit card can be useful.

As a precaution a strip of masking tape right the way round would be a good idea.

Then clean the surface with white spirit to remove any grease and residual dirt. Dry the area using paper towel or lint free cloth.

Then apply a bead of polyurethane sealant to seal against water ingress.
 
Hi all,

Fabulous advice as always! I have now put in my order of PU sealant.
As a side note - I have some vactan rust converter. With that dodgy window, can I chuck some of that on it, let it cure and then put the sealant over the top?

I take your point POI admin about the window really needs to come out - sadly that's beyond my capabilities and although i considered taking her to a bodywork specialist to redo the window, I'm fearful that it may open a can of worms. My van is 30 years old! :) But as a guideline - approx how much money would it cost to remove, glass, remove all rust round edges and refit glass or is that a how long is a piece of string type question?

Happy New Year!
Melissa
 
No idea regarding cost I'm afraid...

I take it that this is a window in a van conversion?

If so I would have thought approaching a local independent windscreen fitter for a quote would be a good start.
 
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