Is your fridge not running the way it used to? Are you worried about food and drinks being spoiled? Then this RV refrigerator repair guide is for you. Here we take a look at the most common problems that you will come across and how to deal with these refrigerator parts.
There will be times when you can solve the situation and other times when you have to call the tech. This article lets you know when and where that is necessary.
4 RV Refrigerator Repair Troubleshooting
1. Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit
For a propane controlled fridge, check thee thermocouple to ensure flow is smooth. Clean the orifice, burner tube and flue. Remove the fridge access and tin cover at the coach and clean it. Built up residue affects the sensor’s performance so clean it as soon as possible.
2. Your Coach Isn’t Level Or Hasn’t Been Used
Ensure the coach is level. This is the best way to ensure the cooling unit won’t get affected. If it’s not level problems like fluid not flowing and accumulation of sediment. The bottom line is everything needs to be level to avoid problems.
3. No Cooling Fuel Source
Wear gloves and check the cooling unit to ensure heating is uniform in the center, absorber and the boiler. There’s a blockage if one part is hotter compared to the others. This is usually caused by an uneven fridge, so you need to level it. If this doesn’t solve the problem, your fridge needs a replacement or the cooling unit rebuilt.
Does tipping the fridge level allow the cooling unit to flow properly? Only if you haven’t parked for an extended time. If you have it might cause permanent damage. If the problem returns, there is permanent damage to the cooling unit and it needs replacement.
4. Leaking Cooling Unit
A very hot boiler and a very warm boiler means there’s a leak. There’s leaking gas if you smell ammonia in the RV. Look around the cooling unit for yellowish residue, another sign there’s a problem. You need to replace the fridge or fix the cooling unit.
Which is better, reconstructing the cooling unit or purchasing a new RV fridge? It really depends on the extent of the damage. For slight issues it is better to repair the unit. But usually leaks is a major issue and it is less expensive to buy a new unit.
How To Diagnose RV Refrigerator Repair 5 Problems Yourself?
You don’t need to be an expert to perform a diagnosis. Just look for these signs.
1. You Smell Ammonia
Shut off the fridge and call tech support. There’s a problem with the cooling unit and the tech can determine if it’s still possible to repair or a replacement is more practical. Keep in mind that ammonia isn’t always detected early. Listen for a bubbling sound or look for the aforementioned yellow or green residue.
2. The Refrigerator Works on Propane but Not on 110V Power
Look for worn out fuses or circuits. Inspect the fridge’s power source and look over the heating element. Use a voltmetrer to check all electrical components. It is easy to find a multimeter or voltmeter anywhere, and they come with several features so you can examine various electrical problems.
3. The Refrigerator Works on 110V Power but Not on Propane
If there’s propane, look at the flame if it goes off immediately. If it does there’s a problem with the thermocouple and it needs fixing or replacement.
If the flame is lit, check the quality. If it’s dull, vacuum around it to remove dirt. Remove as much dirt as possible especially around the jet. Now plug the unit into a 110 volt. Is the heating element getting warm?
If it’s not warming up, there is something wrong with the electrical component. Let it run for 30 minutes and check if it’s warm. If not there’s an electrical problem somewhere.
4. Worth Mentioning
Read the fridge troubleshooting section and have it nearby just in case there is a problem.
5. Cleaning & Maintenance
The best way to avoid these problems is to regularly clean the fridge. To keep the unit working smoothly, take off the outer lower vent that offers rear access. Turn the refrigerator off and ensure there are no loose connections.
Turn the fridge on and look at the flame. If it is yellow, there’s probably soot in the burner and flue. Turn off the fridge and clean it up. Find the burner and use an air compressor to remove the dirt. Turn the fridge on again and the flame should appear blue now.
Why So Much Mold?
This can happen if you forget to remove food you stocked up in the fridge during your last RV trip. If you turn the fridge off there are two things which probably remain there, bacteria and moisture.
Bacteria thrives in a moist, warm environment, and that is the ideal setting for mold to grow. Moisture on the other hand, builds up ice or frost melt and all the stuff in the gets wet. If you close the fridge, the bacteria will spread and it gets even more damp.
How To Remove Mold From An RV Refrigerator
It’s going to take some tome to clean all the mold. A single wipe isn’t going to be enough. You’ll have to do a comprehensive cleaning twice. Make sure you clean all the corners, drawers, sides and edges.
- Use warm, soapy water for the first scrub. This will be used to get rid of the mold.
- For the second scrubbing, prepare a bleach and water mix. Mix a gallon of water for a half cup of bleach. Use this solution for a thorough cleaning and disinfecting. This solution also keeps mold from coming back.
- Do not use chlorine and ammonia in the cleaning solution. That is poisonous and will result in death.
After you have thoroughly cleaned the fridge, wait for it to dry. There should not be any foul smell anymore and you can put food and drinks back inside it.
It’s also a good idea to keep some baking soda in the fridge to keep it smelling nice. Just put it in a container at the back where it is unobtrusive.
How To Prevent Mold From Growing Again
The easiest way to prevent this from happening again is to empty your fridge once you’re done traveling on the RV.
Another thing you can do is organize all the food in the fridge before starting your travel. Put all the food in zip lock bags. Each bag should have enough food for a meal so you don’t have to open another one. For large foods like grill or chicken or roast, slice them into smaller pieces to fit in the bag.
Do the same for vegetables and other foods you want to bring. Store leftovers in plastic containers, and you can also use these to store candies and other foods.
Maintaining an RV does not have to be complicated. A lot of the problems can be avoided by cleaning it regularly and keeping an eye on potential problems before they get worse. Do that and your RV fridge should run along fine.
Thanks for visiting our The Curve Ahead, we always try explain as simple as possible.
Recommended Article To Read:
Leave a Reply