In a message dated 15/09/2007 11:08:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Hi  folks:

I have my fridge out to install one of the Go Westy update kits.  This update
kit appears to allow about four or five times as much air (per  pump) than
the stock air pump, and has a check valve and "O" ring to prevent  any leaks.
Fingers are crossed that it will help lighting the  fridge.

The last time I had the fridge out, I completely cleaned the  combustion
chamber and used some "form a gasket". I checked this seal by  putting a cork in
one of the tubes and blowing into the other, and it appears  to be tight as a
drum to me. My fridge frequently does blow out at highway  speeds, and someone
mentioned that a leak in the system was the culprit, but I  sure don't find
any leaks.

While I have this thing out, any suggestions  on what else to do as
preventive maintenance? I have installed a computer fan  in place of the stock, give it
a thorough cleaning. Applied thermo grease to  the thermo swtich. Should I
pull athe heater rods out and give them a  cleaning? What about burping the
system? I believe this was done by turning  the fridge upside down overnight, but
don't remember the exact details. Is  this worth considering? Not sure when
the next time I will have the fridge out  again, so wanna take care of it now.

Troy, see my _VW Vanagon Westfalia Dometic  Fridge Maintenace_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/fridge.htm)  webpage.  AND, here are a few more tips I've come
 across since I wrote that article.
1 - Make sure the set screws that hold the heater elements in place are
TIGHT.
2 - Blow compressed air through the propane line from the top connection
while holding open the bypass valve and propane main valve open with jet  removed.
3 - Clean the jet with lacquer thinner, soak for at least 15 minutes, use a
small strand of copper wire to pass through the opening. Blow out from both
sides with compressed air.
4 - Burp fridge. 12 hours upside down, 12 hours right side up, 12 hours
upside down, 12 hours right side up.  Block up so it is level each  time.  I use a
milk crate and some blocks of wood.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007