BajaNomad

Another old fridge problem

mojo_norte - 4-15-2011 at 03:58 PM

I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about 5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on propane. Any thoughts ?

monoloco - 4-15-2011 at 04:36 PM

Have you tried cleaning the flue?

mojo_norte - 4-15-2011 at 04:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Have you tried cleaning the flue?


Have not tried that- thanks

mojo_norte - 4-15-2011 at 04:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Have you tried cleaning the flue?


how is this best done - pull the fridge and blow out w/ compressed air?

monoloco - 4-15-2011 at 04:55 PM

A stiff brush like a bottle brush with a long handle works good.

larryC - 4-16-2011 at 07:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about 5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on propane. Any thoughts ?


When you say "when I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part." Which coils are you talking about, the cooling fins inside the refer box, or the amonia coils on the back of the refer? If you are talking about inside the cooling box, that would be a good thing to have some ice there. If you are talking on the back of the box, there should not be any ice there. That may indicate a blockage in the tubes. You could try tapping on the tubes and maybe break that blockage loose. You should be able to feel the tubes and feel the heat from the flame all the way to where they disappear into the insulation.
Hope this helps
Larry

mojo_norte - 4-16-2011 at 01:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about 5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on propane. Any thoughts ?


When you say "when I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part." Which coils are you talking about, the cooling fins inside the refer box, or the amonia coils on the back of the refer? If you are talking about inside the cooling box, that would be a good thing to have some ice there. If you are talking on the back of the box, there should not be any ice there. That may indicate a blockage in the tubes. You could try tapping on the tubes and maybe break that blockage loose. You should be able to feel the tubes and feel the heat from the flame all the way to where they disappear into the insulation.
Hope this helps
Larry


The upper tubes have ice. The inner fins have ice for the 1st few days and then it gradually stops cooling. I've tried tapping on the coils. I might try 'burping' it as was suggested by someone - flipping it upside down over night. Might be new fridge time - but I like the size of this one - not too big - not too small.

Jim/Liisa - 4-16-2011 at 02:51 PM

Mine in My trailer in Mexico if the temp is above 90 deg and high humidity, the frezzer barely gets cold. I have heard that propain friges just don't do well in hot hummide weather.

woody with a view - 4-16-2011 at 03:01 PM

get a local guy to "fix" it. had a guy at BOLA tune up my fridge for 300 pesos when it wouldn't cool and it has been perfect since. prolly easier than you know....

mojo_norte - 4-16-2011 at 05:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
get a local guy to "fix" it. had a guy at BOLA tune up my fridge for 300 pesos when it wouldn't cool and it has been perfect since. prolly easier than you know....


thanks - You're probably right. Deal with it when I get down there - new fridges are $$- more than the campers worth..

larryC - 4-16-2011 at 05:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
I have an old Instamatic model propane fridge original to my camper - so early 80's vintage. It fires right w/ a good blue flame and cools OK for a day or 2- I can freeze water in the freezer . Gradually it goes down hill - won't freeze water but can keep the beer cold in the freezer. After about 5 days it's not cooling hardly at all. When I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part. Flame still looks good. It only works on propane. Any thoughts ?

When you say "when I look at the coils they have ice built up on the upper part." Which coils are you talking about, the cooling fins inside the refer box, or the amonia coils on the back of the refer? If you are talking about inside the cooling box, that would be a good thing to have some ice there. If you are talking on the back of the box, there should not be any ice there. That may indicate a blockage in the tubes. You could try tapping on the tubes and maybe break that blockage loose. You should be able to feel the tubes and feel the heat from the flame all the way to where they disappear into the insulation.
Hope this helps
Larry


The upper tubes have ice. The inner fins have ice for the 1st few days and then it gradually stops cooling. I've tried tapping on the coils. I might try 'burping' it as was suggested by someone - flipping it upside down over night. Might be new fridge time - but I like the size of this one - not too big - not too small.


Bad sign, the coils on the back should not have any ice or cooling at all. This indicates a blockage and the blockage is probably right where the ice starts on the coils in the back. Try tapping the coils right there. If you are able to break up the blockage then you will see the ice go away pretty quickly. Be prepared to to kiss this refer goodbye, sounds like it is dieing on you.
Good luck with it.
Larry