On Wed, May 19, 2010 at 2:03 PM, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
> So i've got this dometic 182A fridge that came out of a canadian '80 westy
> (Built in early '79!) which is basically the first rendition of the fridge
> we know and love. It has the safety valve that is activated by turning the
> air pump, and has a flame indicator but no LED.
> Anyway, when I installed the full '80 interior into my '85 I put the fridge
> in. And I love the fridge. I've had the fridge running on propane for 2
> years now. Anyway....
> while it never would keep lit while driving (and i'm still working on that),
> now it won't keep lit at all!
>
> I just filled the propane tank up after draining it completely in the fall
> and the fridge lights on the first click! However, it lights and stays lit
> for any random period between 10 seconds and 3 hours then unexpectely dies.
> I thought "Air in the lines" Right? Well i've lit the bugger on and off for
> 4 days now. There can't possibly still be air in the lines!
>
> So what changed? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
\

Good question.

Some kind of answer(s)  ;)

I had a 182A in my Canadian '81 and a spare 182B. Both were in/out of
my Westy several times, with combustion box opened/resealed several
times.

182A, stock: flame went out early AM in camp. Cleaned jet with mild
acid/water solution, cleaned, resealed etc. No change. Thermal sensor
in combustion box quite frayed at end. That MAY have been issue.

Swapped 182A thermostat + front panel to 182B. 182A thermostat:
http://tinyurl.com/2e3f25v Note what may be a filter on it. (as per
David B's suggestion) 182B combustion box thermal looked better. No
leaks, new Viton O rings at intake/exhaust. http://tinyurl.com/268hdsu
Stays lit in camp unless really windy. Placing strip of duct tape at
other side of flue cures that.

182A, 182B both blew out when driving. Made air dam for flue, both
then stayed lit more than 90% of the time. I have read that air dam is
not needed if all working right. All I can suspect is an improperly
assembled flue. But. Can't "see" how that would be. Seems it all goes
together one way.

Can the flue be assembled incorrectly but look correct? Anyone?

As for flame going out when stationary, I've seen pics of the flame
operating just fine with combustion box entirely open. (bench tested).
If flame going out in that case, I'd suspect fuel blockage.

All my Dometic pics. (though most or all likely don't apply to you right now)

http://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/DometicPics?authkey=Gv1sRgCOn8wqShjI200QE#

FWIW, I used Hi-temp RTV to make a gasket for combustion box.

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines