I am going by the info contained in this post.
Can anyone comment ?
Is the fridge in the 1988 Vanagon  Westy the same ?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike D." <md03@XOCHI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2003 11:03 PM
Subject: Re: Dometic improvement

> >Date:    Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:20:48 -0700
> >From:    Ben <bens@ZIANET.COM>
> >Subject: Dometic improvement
> >
> >Listers,
> >I have had probably 6 vanagons with the Domentic refridgerators. All of =
> >them were crap at getting started. Are there any leads on installed a =
> >modern electronic ignition? How about improving the cooling capacity to =
> >the point it keeps a 6 pack cold (not while I'm driving!)? I'm sure this
=
> >has been covered ad-nausium, but I'm a nubie to the list. Oh, BTW, I =
> >have both an '87 and '89 Vanagon if this helps
> >Benj
>
> I had an 84 with a Dometic that would barely get cold.  Turns out
> they have a common problem:  The radiator fin assembly inside is
> press fit onto a tube, with a layer of thermal paste between the two.
> The paste dries up and stops working (and I suspect there have also
> been improvements in thermal conductive paste technology in the past
> 20 years).
>
> Procedure is as follows (for an 85, YMMV):
>
> 1. But two 1/4 ounce tubes of thermal conductive paste (aka "heat
> sink paste" or "heat sink compound") from RadioShack.
> 2. Pull off the radiator fins.  It is press fit, can be tight, but
> should pull off with a little muscle.
> 3. You should see some old, dried up looking paste on the fins and
> the cold tube.  Clean this off.  I used hot water, my fingernails and
> a washcloth.
> 4. Liberally apply the thermal paste.  I used two full 1/4 ounce
> tubes and that seemed about the right amount.  Try to make sure the
> paste is spread evenly without bubbles.
> 5. Press the fins back on, taking care to put the thermocouple back
> in the groove in the fins.
>
> Total time : about 20 minutes,
> Total cost : about $6
>
> After this mod, the fins now get nice & frosty, and it has no trouble
> keeping a reasonable temperature.
>
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Hilgeman" <mark@campearth.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>; "Vanagon" <vanagon@REX1.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 6:39 AM
Subject: Re: Vanagon Fridge Problems -again

> I'm pretty sure the inside fins of the fridge are riveted to a bracket
that is connected to the coolant tubes that cycle through the back of the
fridge.
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> From:         Vanagon <vanagon@REX1.COM>
> Reply-To:     Vanagon <vanagon@REX1.COM>
> Date:          Wed, 12 May 2004 14:06:27 -0700
>
> >Can anyone confirm/deny question #2...
> >
> >#2. I can no longer get even a small degree of cold from the fridge fins.
> >I read somewhere that the internal cooling fins are connected via a
pressure
> >connection and thermal paste.
> >
> >Is it true that I can remove the cooling fins inside the fridge by
pulling
> >them out ?
> >I don't want to force anything.
> >then apply a new coat of thermal paste and clean off the old gob ?
> >
> >
> >P.S.
> >Is there a modern (ie reliable) fridge option that fits in to the same
space
> >and vent as the current Dometic one in my 88 Vanagon ?
> >I am getting close to throwing this one in to storage.
> >
> >Thanks
> >Rex
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Fkc43@aol.com
> >To: rex@rex1.com
> >Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 5:41 AM
> >Subject: Re: Vanagon Fridge
> >
> >
> >In a message dated 10/05/2004 6:39:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
rex@rex1.com
> >writes:
> >  Frank
> >  I read you Faq on the Vanagon fridge with great interest.
> >  I have a 1988 Vanagon Westfalia with only 66k original miles on her.
> >
> >  I haven't had any trouble other than the fridge.
> >  I have replaced the thermocouple and spark cable.
> >  I have cleaned the jet, chimney flue  and combustion box.
> >  That cleared up the ignition issues completely.
> >
> >  I had an ice cold fridge that made nice ice cubes for camping in the
> >dessert for a few days.
> >
> >  Only a few days and then,
> >
> >  1. The flame blows out very easily.
> >  I read somewhere that if I have assembled the vent cover correctly, the
> >only other solution is to saw the longer of the two vent hoses so that
they
> >are both equal length.
> >  True/ False ?
> >    False !  Do not alter the construction of the fridge.  If the flame
is
> >blowing out there is a leak in the pipes or connection to the wall of the
> >van or the burner is dirty and not operating properly.  If the system is
> >operating as it was designed and manufactured the flame will not blow out
> >while driving.
> >
> >  2. I can no longer get even a small degree of cold from the fridge
fins.
> >  I read somewhere that the internal cooling fins are connected via a
> >pressure connection and thermal paste.
> >
> >  Is it true that I can remove the cooling fins inside the fridge by
pulling
> >them out ?
> >  I don't want to force anything.
> >  then apply a new coat of thermal paste and clean off the old gob ?
> >    This how I understand it but have never done it so am reluctant to
> >verify this information.
> >
> >
> >  Thanks
> >  Rex
> >
> >  P.S.
> >  I will probably like to purchase your VW steel stove plate. not for
> >keeping the coffee pot from tipping but to make great toast.
> >  How well a job can be done with it ?
> >  A nice golden brown ?
> >    Rex, You will get a nice toast with the VW logo burned into it.
Enjoy
> >it with peanut butter or jam !
> >
> >Cheers,
> >
> >Frank Condelli
> >Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> >BusFusion a VW Camper camping event in Almonte, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
> >'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
> >Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & CCVWC
> >Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> >STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
> >Frank Condelli & Associates or http://frankcondelli.com
> >
>
> --
> Mark Hilgeman
> mark@campearth.com
>
> --
>