Dometic non-modular fridge repair?

[ODellAZ]

Has anyone had any luck getting an older Dometic refrigerator repaired? We have a 1967 Overlander with the M52. When I fired it up it had the strong ammonia smell.

I'd really like to retain this original fridge. I've called 8-10 places that advertise repair of Dometic units, but they seem to only deal with the modular designs that came out later than my '67.

Comments, suggestions?

[eubank]

Yes, we had the same problem with our original 67 M52. Ammonia smell means that the piping in the back is leaking. In our case, it was also very obvious where the leak was, too. And same problem you have: Finding a person to redo the piping is like finding a needle in a haystack.

In the end, we wound up getting a new fridge ($$$!!!). It's a Euro unit from Dometic, smaller than the full-size units, but larger than the smaller unit that they market in the US. But we'd still prefer the old M52!


Lynn

[campngirl]

I have the same issue w/ the fridge in my 64 Tradewind.

There is a vendor on the forum that does this type of work
( during his slow part of the year ).
I will be having him do the work on my refridgerator when I get to that point in my restoration.

Send a private message to Stu. His forum user name is RV cool .
You can look him up on the member listing.

He may be able to help you.

Karol

[ODellAZ]

Thanks -- I spoke with Stu. Another possibility seems to be the reincarnation of CoolFun in California, which is lots closer to Arizona.

CoolFun has closed but an employee supposedly will be reopening the business under a new name. I'll post it here when I know more, in another week or so.

I have to say that I wonder when someone says to me to "just take out the cooling unit." That's EXACTLY the problem with the 1960's vintage Dometic fridges -- they do NOT have removable cooling units like the 70's and newer ones.

Or do they? Am I missing something? None of the modular unit suppliers carry a cooling unit for the M52.

[campngirl]

I recall seeing somewhere... a post with a link to a site.... or a link on the Vintage Airstream site(??)............................ where one can aquire detailed/ printable instructions on removing a cooling unit from an RV refridgerator. I don't know if the instructions apply to 60s units and I just don't recall where I saw the link.

I am sure that some folks on the forum can steer you in the right direction.

Karol

[Lumatic]

Snyder's Refridgeration (570) 223 7872

www.gasrefridgeration.net

[LHall]

Originally Posted by ODellAZ

Has anyone had any luck getting an older Dometic refrigerator repaired? We have a 1967 Overlander with the M52. When I fired it up it had the strong ammonia smell.

I'd really like to retain this original fridge. I've called 8-10 places that advertise repair of Dometic units, but they seem to only deal with the modular designs that came out later than my '67.

Comments, suggestions?

Have you called AZ RV Salvage over off of I-17 & Buckeye Rd?

They have a webpage Arizona R.V. Salvage Inc - Used RV Parts, Refurbished RV Appliances, Generators and Motorhome, Travel Trailer, and 5th Wheel Lot

We have been over there a couple of times and he actually had some parts for our 1962 Dometic M-50 He has been repairing these for years and he may be able to help you.