I sealed one side with a cork and blew in the other end.  Very leaky.

I just spent the better part of the today taking it all apart, sealing the
system with better gaskets and caulk and putting it back together.  Same
cork test was MUCH less leaky, almost no leaking at all afterwards.

But....I just got it back together and, guess what?  I cannot get it to stay
it lit more than a few seconds.  And the pump, which I cleaned and
re-lubricated with silicone instead of oil, is so stiff that it's very
difficult to get more than 5-6 strokes in.

I even obtained a little 2 D-cell operated fish aeration pump which I
plumbed in next to the air pump with a "T", but that didn't help get it
started at all.

VERY discouraging.  I've put in at least a solid week's work on that damn
Dometic this season yet don't have an reliable fridge to show for it.

A Norcold by next season, I swear.

Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Roger Sisler
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 12:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Dometic woes

Check for a leaking combustion chamber, with the Domeitic still installed.

Leaky chamber causes hard staring and flame out when driving.

Remove the chrome vent cover. Put a cork in the deepest of the two vents,
and blow into the other. It should be an obvious seal.

If not, got to find the reason, and retry. Is the drain cap off? Unsealed
box? loose orifice in box? Cracked corrigated vent pipes ( a good
possibility)?

Cracked vents are caused when removing and reinastalling the Dometic.
Especially the 182b.  Very brittle pipes. When bent to much, they will crack
at a bend. If you have cracked vent pipes, remove the side grill and stick
your hand inside and feel for the crack. Never done it, but muffler cement
on the crack is the fix.