Looks like I get to get the fridge's cooling unit rebuilt instead of getting a
awning...bummer!!!
History: It worked fine our 1st trip out this year the end of May. Then weekend before last it seemed to just go kaput. We tried 'burping' it as vaguely described in our '64 Dometic owner's manual....to no avail.
Confession: I wonder if we may have inadvertantly caused the problem....we were in a hurry packing things up and didn't pre-cool the fridge before loading it on the road. Instead we put a couple of lbs of dry ice inside to keep things cold until the unit caught up and cooled things down. We've done this a couple of times without any repercussions over the last two years...but...maybe...????
Question: Do you suppose this may have messed with the system someway to cause it to stop working? We thought it may have, but also thought being a closed system burping it should have 'fixed' it...right? There was never any ammonia smell or obvious leakage areas...whatcha think? Or do you think it just gave out after 40 years?
Warning: Don't try this at home ~ at least until I find out if the dry ice caused the problem...
Solution: We have found a guy locally (within 75 miles) that rebuilds cooling units and he's going to take a look at it as soon as we can get it over to him. Preliminary (over the phone) estimate to fix it (before seeing it in person) is $450. 'Why not buy a new one' you ask? Besides the $$$ we want to rebuild our oldie instead for 'vintage' sake and the new fridges are a different size & the cabinets would have to be modified which we don't want to do...and last but not least, I found my
door shelves! It's a slippery slope...
I'll keep you posted...
Shari
