Refrigerator won't work on gas? Check this..

[WVDusty]

So as we were about to leave for a camping vacation I realized that my fridge would not work on gas. Fast forward a week we are back home and I decided to see what is wrong. First I pulled the outside cover off and had my DW turn the fridg to gas. The igniter started clicking and finally lit but the flame was on the outside of the burner tube. I shut it off and removed the gas line, and the brass fitting the the one Phillips screw that holds the tube in place. And this is what I found


That is a mud dauber nest about 3 or 4 inches deep. So I used a small screwdriver to get most of it out then a long small wire brush to really get it cleaned out. I then reinstalled all parts reconnected the gas and tried again. Perfect blue flame now.


I know that this is pretty common but I thought a short wright up and a couple pics might help someone else someday.



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[Chrislorl]

Great Post. I hate those things. My suggestion is a screen on every possible opening. I have had them get in under my vent cover and build a home there, it is amazing how fast they can mess things up.

[TCNashville]

I kinda had the same problem. I had changed out the igniter and in the process soot from the chimney had fallen into the burner tube restricting the flame. Removed the burner tube, cleaned it up and all is good.

[troutslayer]

Thanks for the post. I put a dog flea collar in the ref compartment and HWH compartment and they seem to keep the little "buggers" out.

[Lifespalette]

My 3 way refrigerator in our PUP cools on DC and AC, but won't cool on gas. The pilot lights fine, but the main burner won't fire.....I'm guessing that I probably have the same condition as you found. Dirt dobbers are a continuous problem around our house. Had to clean out a nest in the air intake orifice of the HWH. Got some insect screening for both compartments and will be taking care of the problem before heading out late summer. Would like to head out before then, but way too many projects to complete before I can go.

[norty1]

I had a similar problem several years ago.

My fridge would light on gas but every time I stopped at a rest area it would be blinking a gas error. Taking the gas tube apart and running a thin wire thru the gas orifice fixed the problem. It looked like spider web was restricting the gas flow.

[Doug]

A picture is worth a thousand words. You read about it, but seeing it is much more useful.

Thanks,
Doug

[WyEm]

Originally Posted by troutslayer

Thanks for the post. I put a dog flea collar in the ref compartment and HWH compartment and they seem to keep the little "buggers" out.

I may have to try this. I've not had issues with the ref, but I had to clean spider nests out of the HWH tube 3x last year.

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by Doug

A picture is worth a thousand words. You read about it, but seeing it is much more useful.

I agree, it is so much easier with a picture.

[Camper_bob]

Great write up!

I installed bug screens in all the standard locations before my trailer left the dealer's lot when I bought it! With my luck, I'd have all manner of critters trying to setup shop in those spots if I didn't!

[RedHorse1]

I was talking with my uncle about trailers when we were beginning to think about buying one and he told a story about the heater not lighting and it taking the service tech 3 hrs to figure out it was a dirt dauber nest and get it cleaned.
Nothing a little $$$ won't solve. I had our dealers add them to both trailers we've owned before leaving the lot.

[Studiovette]

So add insect screening to hot water heater and fridge vent? Anywhere else?
We just took our TT out for the the 2nd time and I noticed the gas light flashing on auto mode even after plugging into shore Power at cg. Temp was reading 65 degrees so obviously wasn't working. I switched it to off for 10 seconds and the electric kicked in. So much for auto mode! I'm already having issues with mine and its brand new!

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Studiovette

So add insect screening to hot water heater and fridge vent? Anywhere else?
We just took our TT out for the the 2nd time and I noticed the gas light flashing on auto mode even after plugging into shore Power at cg. Temp was reading 65 degrees so obviously wasn't working. I switched it to off for 10 seconds and the electric kicked in. So much for auto mode! I'm already having issues with mine and its brand new!

Furnace vent too.

I don't know that my fridge will automatically pick up and start on shore power after faulting out on propane; I've never tried it. It's likely there was air in your propane line, the fridge didn't light, and needed to be cycled off to clear the fault so that it would either use shore power, or try the propane again in "auto" mode. Just a guess.

[GeorgiaRV]

Originally Posted by Doug

A picture is worth a thousand words. You read about it, but seeing it is much more useful.

Thanks,
Doug

+1... Thanks for posting the pictures!