Refrigerator issues

[Djmclean]

I'm sure this has been answered someplace before, but my eyes are crossed from looking for the right place.

We just purchased an '88 Argosy 5th wheel. It has as Dometic RM 2801 refrigerator. When we plug it in and turn it on, there is a bit of gurgling in it (normal-right?) The back (outside the camper) gets warm and we know there is power back there. The shelf in the freezer gets warmer after being plugged in for several hours and there is NO cooling taking place. We haven't tried it on gas at all.

I did go to the site (RV Mobile) and got the troubleshooting guide, but really didn't pinpoint anything.

Anyone have ideas - do we just need a new frig - cooling unit - heating unit?

[DKDarrow]

Gurgling........???????.........Thats a new one.........

The shelf in the freezer gets WARMER after several hours??????

Yes, try it on gas for sure. Does the heater rod, there inside of the chimney get hot enough to burn you? Does the pipe coming out of the area where the gas burner is get HOT?????????

If NO to all of the above........YES.......Get a new fridge.......God bless.....Dennis

[Djmclean]

Thanks for your reply - I've been looking some more and found the "burping" procedure. We don't have any gas in the rig yet as we want to have all the lines checked out prior to filling the tanks, so haven't tried the gas side yet. In the troubleshooting by RV Mobile, he mentions a "percolating" sound. It shouldn't be too loud according to his article and it itsn't. I also found a thread on here where someone actually took a piece of wood to the inside and evidently jarred a blockage loose. I'm thinking we will check the ventillation and make sure that's OK and "burp" the baby. With luck one of those will work.]

BTW - your avatar kid is adorable. We have two goats - a nigerian dwarf and a nigerian mix. Have had a few boers over the years.

[idroba]

That seems to be the way they operate when they fail. I had one in a 310 motorhome that did the same thing, and it was toast. Won't be any different on propane. I have never found that the "turn it upside down" stuff worked for me.

[Djmclean]

In researching this problem here I think I found the solution I like. Beating it with a piece of firewood!! What have we got to lose and we might get some satisfaction. It actually cured the one I was reading about!

[Djmclean]

Well, the beating didn't work.... Looks like it's going to be a new frig.

[noreen&sal]

But I bet it made you feel a little better. Sal.