Huge Dometic Refrigerator Recall Announced:

[wasafari]

Please go to RV.Net : RV Accessories, Supplies, Classifieds, Insurance, Financing & More, then the Tech or Trailer forums and look at the NHTSA recall of 2 door Dometic refers. The one in my 2004 Safari 25b is subject to this recall. Sort of adds new fuel (no pun intended) to the propane on/off debate.

Jack

[Silvertwinkie]

Thanks for the post. Here is the link for those interested.

I will be checking my serial number, but fear I too may be included in the recall......

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 12/5/06

Interesting that they don't seem to be replacing the heating element back to 325 watts. So does that mean that our fridges are likely to fail sooner than later??

[eubank]

Well, thank heavens that this is not the Dometic refrigerator that we've fixin' to order:

DOMETIC
RM7401 2-Way, Single Door
32 11/32 x 20 11/16 x 21 5/16

By the way, the RM7401 is the closest size match we could find for the old MA52 that we've got in the 67 rig. Alas, the RM7401 is not readily available; it has to be special ordered. (I get the feeling that it just might be more common in Europe -- see Dometic -- than here in the states -- see Dometic USA
.)


Lynn

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by eubank

Well, thank heavens that this is not the Dometic refrigerator that we've fixin' to order:
\

[/SIZE]

Oh, I feel a whole lot better now!

[dmac]

The Domentic recall fix is an attempt at preventing ignition of leaked ammonia, but is not a root-cause repair. Does anyone know how difficult it is to replace the offending 345 watt heating element with a 325 watt?

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by dmac

The Domentic recall fix is an attempt at preventing ignition of leaked ammonia, but is not a root-cause repair. Does anyone know how difficult it is to replace the offending 345 watt heating element with a 325 watt?

Great point.....I was wondering the same thing in my post, having read the fact that the larger wattage change is what may have caused this crack to develop in the first place....

[Foiled Again]

I need to check mine. So where do I find the serial number on it?

Paula

[wasafari]

Two places you can find the numbers....inside the fridge (lower level) on the door jamb or on the yellow equipment sheet you got in the AS manual (if you bought it new). Happy hunting,,,

Jack

[RV_cool]

Originally Posted by dmac

The Domentic recall fix is an attempt at preventing ignition of leaked ammonia, but is not a root-cause repair. Does anyone know how difficult it is to replace the offending 345 watt heating element with a 325 watt?

simple change, just a cover on the boiler and 2 wires

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by RV_cool

simple change, just a cover on the boiler and 2 wires

So you are saying to replace the electric heating element is fairly simple? What would the average cost be for the parts?

[Safari-Rick]

Well, they found a fix but it won't be ready till sometime in 2007 .

[Silvertwinkie]

Yes, but the fix from what I understand simply helps prevent ignition, it doesn't replace the higher wattage heating element that caused the weld to give....

[Jim Clark]

I have a 2005 Safari:

Mode: RM2662
SN: 321-00372

Looks Like I am ok.
From the NHTSA website:

Dometic Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 06E076000

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
DOMETIC / NDR1062 9999
DOMETIC / RM2652 9999
DOMETIC / RM2662 9999
DOMETIC / RM2663 9999
DOMETIC / RM2852 9999
DOMETIC / RM2862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3662 9999
DOMETIC / RM3663 9999
DOMETIC / RM3862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3863 9999

Manufacturer : DOMETIC CORPORATION

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06E076000 Mfg's Report Date : AUG 28, 2006

Component: EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 926877

Summary:
CERTAIN DOMETIC TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1997 AND MAY 2003: SERIAL NOS.
713XXXXX THROUGH 752XXXXX;
801XXXXX THROUGH 852XXXXX;
901XXXXX THROUGH 952XXXXX;
001XXXXX THROUGH 052XXXXX;
101XXXXX THROUGH 152XXXXX;
201XXXXX THROUGH 252XXXXX;
301XXXXX THROUGH 319XXXXX,
INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH MAY RELEASE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence:
THE RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy:
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THAT HAD THE REFRIGERATORS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND DOMETIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE AFTERMARKET REFRIGERATORS. DOMETIC WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC AT 888-446-5157.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO http://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Jim

[RV_cool]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

So you are saying to replace the electric heating element is fairly simple? What would the average cost be for the parts?

I'm not sure what the elements are running in price, but what I have seen on these late models are weld failures where the socket for the element is welded to the boiler tube. All it takes is a pinhole and you got 300 psi of hydrogen discharging around the burner area. I use helium in my rebuilding - recharging process, so there is no danger of fire in any cooling unit I service. To my knowledge I'm the only rebuilder in north america to use helium. I suppose nobody else does because of cost.

[moosetags]

We have a 2005 Safari with the two-door Dometic refer. I checked the unit and it is a model number : RM2662 (which appears on the recall list); its serial number is 501 05007 (which is not on the list). Does this mean that my refer does or does not have the defective component?

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We have a 2005 Safari with the two-door Dometic refer. I checked the unit and it is a model number : RM2662 (which appears on the recall list); its serial number is 501 05007 (which is not on the list). Does this mean that my refer does or does not have the defective component?

You are ok. They went back to the smaller heater in 2003 to extend the life of the units.

Jim

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

You are ok. They went back to the smaller heater in 2003 to extend the life of the units.

Jim

Thanx Jim.

[Silvertwinkie]

Ok, I just checked my Safari built 12/03 and it does have a RM 2662 that does fall under the recall.

I can't speak to every unit built 12/03 or earlier, but it would look to me like 12/03 built units may have a Dometic that may fall under the recall.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by dmac

The Domentic recall fix is an attempt at preventing ignition of leaked ammonia, but is not a root-cause repair. Does anyone know how difficult it is to replace the offending 345 watt heating element with a 325 watt?

The RV Fridge heating element is basically an 'L' shaped solid rod placed in the boiler tube of the refer (the vertical cylinder placed either on the extreme left or right at the back of the unit). It has 2 wires protruding from it, and the section of the tube that you will be looking at is the short end. Most of the element is sheathed in it's housing inside the boiler section.

Remove the outer cover to gain access to the element and slowly wiggle it up and out. Obviously, you don't try this when the element is hot becuase:
1. IT"S HOT!!! and 2. It won't come out due to thermal expansion.

The entire process should take a few minutes (OK, maybe 15 if you've never done one before)

[ArtStream]

Hi all, thought this might be important!


Large Scale Dometic Refrigerator Recall Announced:

Dometic Corporation is in the process of issuing recalls for over 900,000 RV refrigerators. The problem, a potential fire hazard, affects many refrigerators manufactured between 1997 and 2003. The following is excerpted from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s website at Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06E076000
Manufacturer : DOMETIC CORPORATION
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 926877
Models Affected: NDR1062 RM2652 RM2662 RM2663 RM2852 RM2862 RM3662 RM3663 RM3862 RM3863
Summary:
CERTAIN DOMETIC TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1997 AND MAY 2003: SERIAL NOS. 713XXXXX THROUGH 752XXXXX; 801XXXXX THROUGH 852XXXXX; 901XXXXX THROUGH 952XXXXX; 001XXXXX THROUGH 052XXXXX; 101XXXXX THROUGH 152XXXXX; 201XXXXX THROUGH 252XXXXX; 301XXXXX THROUGH 319XXXXX, INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH MAY RELEASE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
THE RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THAT HAD THE REFRIGERATORS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, AND DOMETIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE AFTERMARKET REFRIGERATORS. DOMETIC WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC AT 888-446-5157.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO http://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To verify that your refrigerator is affected, you can either call Dometic at the number listed above, or visit their website for the recall at Official Dometic Recall - DometicUSA . Be sure to have your refrigerator’s model number and serial number ready.

The following is excerpted from Dometic’s recall information:

The information that you entered indicated that your refrigerator is affected by this voluntary recall. Please do the following:

#1 Turn the refrigerator off immediately if you notice any of the following indicators:
·Leakage or staining at the back of the refrigerator.
·Yellow residue at the back or sides of the refrigerator.
·The smell of ammonia.
·Refrigerator does not properly cool.
Any unit found to have one or more of the characteristics mentioned above MUST be shut down and not operated until the unit is fixed and the recall rework administered.

#2 For any unit that does fall within the recall population, but does not exhibit any of the four indicators mentioned in #1, consider the following: Do not operate your refrigerator on LP gas. Switching to electric power lowers the incident rate associated with LP gas. If you own a 3-way refrigerator, running the unit on 12-volt power carries the least risk of all. 3-way refrigerators have model numbers that end in "3."

Dometic recommends that the unit not be operated on electric unless absolutely necessary until your unit has been serviced. If you choose to operate your unit on electric prior to the recall rework, you must inspect the burner area weekly for any of the indicators referenced in number 1 above. Dometic recommends that you turn off the gas valve at the back of your refrigerator. DO NOT, however, attempt to disconnect the gas supply. If you must operate your refrigerator on electric, DO NOT operate your refrigerator while in transit or while asleep.

The rework kit will be available in early April 2007. At that time, call your preferred service center to set up an appointment. For help in locating a service cente, or for the most up-to-date recall information, call 1-888-446-5157.

--Just passing it along,

Michael