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Topic ClosedFridge not cooling on propane - fixed!
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Fridge not cooling on propane - fixed!
    Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 5:01pm
This is what I took apart and put back together:

1) removed supply from gas valve and burner cover.



2) Before dropping burner and cleaning, check for debri, spider webs, etc. in vent hole or burner. You may be able to simple blow/and/or vacuum clean. Removing the screw will drop the burner.



3) Removed sensor and igniter assembly



I then took the supply tube with attached burner and stuck burner end into cup of isopropyl alcohol and soaked for an hour or so whilst I cleaned the chimney stack. This left the gas jet unexposed. As Tech said above, you don't want to damage that or stick anything in that jet like a needle or something! That's why I just soak it and blow it. 

Disclaimer again: I'm no refrigeration/propane tech and have not yet played one on TV.

fred 
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 4:46pm
Just be careful about the orifice which is inside the gas supply line after you remove that assembly.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 3:27pm
Hi Stephen,

In addition to what Tech said, after cleaning I could put an ear to the top outside cover (vent) and hear the flame. I could not prior. Also, I soaked the nozzle assembly in isopropyl alcohol and injected a bit into disassembled tube. I used compressed air to blow everything clean and dry.

My burner assembly looks like this (not my pic):



fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 3:14pm
Is the sensor that sits in the flame glowing red like in his pics?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6289 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Sep 2016 at 9:31am
I took a look at the burner on our Pod. I disassembled it and it was clean. The jet also appeared to be unplugged. I was surprised that the orifice was just a little stamped piece of metal with a little hole in it. I made sure it was not plugged or restricted. When I reassembled and tested it, both for leaks and operation, I noticed that there really did not seem to be any difference at all in the flame height or sound. On our most recent trip, I also had noticed that the refrigerator seemed to not hold temperatures very well. I had purchased a fan that mounts on the fins inside. I have been experimenting on the best location, and so far, centered on the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment seems to be best. I'll try to get some pictures today to post in my mods.
StephenH
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 9:28pm
Your hourly rate is MUCH higher!
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 5:59pm
Originally posted by techntrek

Glad to see that worked for you. I did the same when my pod fridge wasn't cooling and I wasn't so lucky (I even replaced the orifice).

Yeah Doug. It was a lucky shot. I have the ExtraRide Platinum Extended warranty, but I figured I would give it a try before towing an hour or more to a service center. Wonder if they would send me a check for the fix? Wink

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 12:32pm
Glad to see that worked for you. I did the same when my pod fridge wasn't cooling and I wasn't so lucky (I even replaced the orifice).
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 9:18am
It's "inside" the back of the fridge compartment, accessed through those two removal panels on the outside of the trailer.
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Posts: 22 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2016 at 9:09am
So this is inside the fridge casing itself?

Originally posted by fwunder

Hard to say. I didn't notice and spider webs or droppings. I did get a small amount of chimney sweepings. I have bought propane across the country, so maybe a contaminant. It's possible I could have just used compressed air and/or a vacuum and got the same results. I just decided to do it the hard way cuz that's the way I do things. Wink
Jean-Guy & Jennifer
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