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Topic: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric... (Read 329 times) previous topic - next topic
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Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
I'm ready to leave Deming, NM and travel to Quartzsite for the RV show and then to Puerto Penasco, MX.  I  recently had my oil changed and some minor repairs, so the refrigerator was on propane. When I got back to the RV park about 2 1/2 hours later I could hear a gurgling sound from the outside vent.  (No ammonia smell or yellow residue, but the freezer temp dropped by 10 degrees.) 

I realize that this could be a bad sign and maybe a message from God/Spirit/Universe to "tuck tail" and go home.  (Remember my dog and I were attacked by a HUGE dog on Christmas day...) 

Somewhere I "thought" there was going to be an RV tech parked at the Quartzsite Lazy Daze Gathering. Yes, one more problem is an issue but the stress is beginning to get to me.
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #1 –
The refrigerator’s cooling system has a boiler fillled with a mixture of primarily water and ammonia, the heat from the propane fame or electric heat element causes the mixture to boil, starting the refrigeration process. You are probably hearing the boiling liquid. The sound would much louder from the outside with only the thin, vented access door barely blocking the noise.
Absorption refrigerator - Wikipedia

I’m not sure what you meant when you wrote “the freezer temp dropped by 10 degrees”.
Is it running 10 degree colder than before? That doesn’t seem like a bad thing and hardly what I would expect to see on a failing refrigerator.
Is this the original refrigerator?

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #2 –
I would say remove the heat shield hiding the gas flame. The 'gurgling' might actually be 'sputtering', the sound of flickering flame due to a gas valve or dirty orifice problem - which you will hear better and see with the shield removed.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
I’m not sure what you meant when you wrote “the freezer temp dropped by 10 degrees”.
Is it running 10 degree colder than before? That doesn’t seem like a bad thing and hardly what I would expect to see on a failing refrigerator.
I'm sorry I wasn't clear in my description - the freezer actually got WARMER by 10 degrees according to the themometer I have inside after being on propane for about 2 1/2 hours.

Is this the original refrigerator?
Yes, it's a Dometic Royale.  I did have the outside components checked and cleaned, but that was about three years ago and and the RV spent a lot of time in storage in 2020/2021. 
Thanks for your help - Cheryl
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Steve  - 
I would say remove the heat shield hiding the gas flame. The 'gurgling' might actually be 'sputtering', the sound of flickering flame due to a gas valve or dirty orifice problem - which you will hear better and see with the shield removed.

Thanks for the information Steve - I'm going to head on out to Quartsite and hopefully I can have an RV mechanic check it when I get there.  I drive with the propane off, but turn it on when I reach my destination (and don't open the freezer or refrigerator inbetween). 
Cheryl
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #5 –
 "I'm going to head on out to Quartsite and hopefully I can have an RV mechanic check it when I get there."

I understood that the 'MobileRVTeam' was going to attend the Q rally. Perhaps you can contact them (www.mobilervteam.com)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"I'm going to head on out to Quartsite and hopefully I can have an RV mechanic check it when I get there."

I understood that the 'MobileRVTeam' was going to attend the Q rally. Perhaps you can contact them (www.mobilervteam.com)

Yep, already sent him an e-mail.  Thanks!
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #7 –
If the rise in the freezer temp has continued, after running it for a day or more, there may be an issue with the frame or propane pressure as Steve suggested or the refrigerator may have either a slow coolant leak or is plugging up internally.
A 28-year-old refrigerator is a geriatric rarity, most die at a much younger age.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Refrigerator "Gurgles" on Propane Outside - Working Fine on Electric...
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
If the rise in the freezer temp has continued, after running it for a day or more, there may be an issue with the frame or propane pressure as Steve suggested or the refrigerator may have either a slow coolant leak or is plugging up internally.
A 28-year-old refrigerator is a geriatric rarity, most die at a much younger age.

Thank you Larry (and Steve) for your help.  One of the Escapee Boomers (where I'm camping on Plomosa Road) suggested RV Lifestyles, and this time of year they're open seven days a weeks.  I couldn't get an appointment until January 25th, but they said call when I arrive (January 18th) and they'd try to send one of the mobile techs out to troubleshoot sooner.  

Hopefully, I won't need a new refrigerator but if I do they have the capibility to do so and they have different ones in stock.  My 1998 mid-bath only has 82,000 miles and I keep it in good mechanical condition.  As a side note, "Milagro" is 24 years old, not 28.  As we grow older, people (especially women) don't want their actual age "increased."   ;)

At any rate, I hope I get this all taken care of in the right way and have a chance to visit my Lazy Daze "peeps" when I'm in town...
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V