Refrigerator Repair

[0533]

My frig is not staying cold. It worked great when I left the factory back in Coburg. It is original equipment, Amana Side by Side. Looks brand new. When I tested it in Coburg it made ice, was cold, worked great. Now it does not make ice and will not stay cold.

I have asked the marathon folks to examine this and repair. I have asked to have the coils cleaned, condenser, and check the defrost setting before any additional effort is made to fix the unit. It still has water in the door and power and is a little cool, just a little.

The question here is two fold: To work on the frig the folks at marathon said they would need to remove it from the coach. What has your experience been with this type of situation. How much can be done while it is in the coach. I am at a disadvantage as I am 220 miles away and cannot make this inspection myself.

I was under the impression that most work including refrigerant could be done onboard.

PS. This frig is one of those Amana units that had the dark glass front on them and ice and water in the door. I guess it is a standard unit. If I have to replace it, what have you guys done here, what choices have you made?

Thanks

[Petervs]

Marathon is good at converting coaches but not very good at house refrigerator repairs. Personal experience here.

Find a skilled home appliance repair guy with Amana experience in the yellow pages. He will come out and it will not require removing the unit from the bus, perhaps not even moving it out of the spot it is in.

Our problem was a failed defrost timer control, which is located behind the lower grill. $65 was all it took along with the repairman's knowledge of where to look.

I hear this is a common problem. Good luck.

[rickdesilva]

Bruce
I had the same problem. I have an XLII so my coach is different. My refrigerator decided to expire 3 days before Branson. I was able to pull mine out so a repairman could look at it and diagnosed a compressor and he wasn't going to guarantee the repair. So I decided to replace the unit. Since my coach is an XLII, I was able to replace the unit without removing the windshield by buying a counter depth refrig.and removing the refrigerator doors and carefully walking it out thru the door. Finding the refrigerator with the right dimensions was something else. My understanding is removing the windshield (I'm sure Jon and other POGGERS can fill you in) is not a big deal on your coach. Bottom line if it can be repaired in the coach and you feel comfortable with the repair do it, if not replace the unit, it will give you peace of mind in the future.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

In the coach repairs are easy. Liberty doesn't make it as easy as it could be because they mount the refrigerator on a 3" high platform, but the first time I needed to do a repair I built a 3" high platform with carpet on the bottom so I could roll the refrigerator onto it and slide it where I could get access to both the front and rear.

If the refrigerator just sits on the coach floor then removal should be very easy.

I do have to remove my dining table from the wall because that is where I slide the refrigerator so I can get all the way around it.

I do not know if the XLII windshield is as easy to remove as the XL, but that is likely how the big stuff is brought into the coach

[0533]

In the coach repairs are easy. Liberty doesn't make it as easy as it could be because they mount the refrigerator on a 3" high platform, but the first time I needed to do a repair I built a 3" high platform with carpet on the bottom so I could roll the refrigerator onto it and slide it where I could get access to both the front and rear.

If the refrigerator just sits on the coach floor then removal should be very easy.

I do have to remove my dining table from the wall because that is where I slide the refrigerator so I can get all the way around it.

I do not know if the XLII windshield is as easy to remove as the XL, but that is likely how the big stuff is brought into the coach
Hello Jon,

Jon your like Ask Jeeves, you've done these sorts of repairs 10 times each. Thanks again in advance.

So you are saying that most of the work should be able to be done in the coach? How about adding refrigerant? Also are you saying that some equipment needed to repair the frig needs to come in through the windshield?

[0533]

Bruce
I had the same problem. I have an XLII so my coach is different. My refrigerator decided to expire 3 days before Branson. I was able to pull mine out so a repairman could look at it and diagnosed a compressor and he wasn't going to guarantee the repair. So I decided to replace the unit. Since my coach is an XLII, I was able to replace the unit without removing the windshield by buying a counter depth refrig.and removing the refrigerator doors and carefully walking it out thru the door. Finding the refrigerator with the right dimensions was something else. My understanding is removing the windshield (I'm sure Jon and other POGGERS can fill you in) is not a big deal on your coach. Bottom line if it can be repaired in the coach and you feel comfortable with the repair do it, if not replace the unit, it will give you peace of mind in the future.
Hi Rick,

I am coming to the conclusion that if I let Marathon take this unit out to repair it, it will stay out and become someones beer and wine frig, as I will just replace it. Question is what brand and size. I think they are 22/25 Cubic feet?? Don't no the actual dimension for the space, HxDxW etc. will ask marathon.

I once had a large trawler with a frig and a freezer below decks. the boatyard wanted some large some of money to remove it, so I rented a saws all and tore into it. It was quick, doors off and in a few small pieces and in the dumpster.

[0533]

Marathon is good at converting coaches but not very good at house refrigerator repairs. Personal experience here.

Find a skilled home appliance repair guy with Amana experience in the yellow pages. He will come out and it will not require removing the unit from the bus, perhaps not even moving it out of the spot it is in.

Our problem was a failed defrost timer control, which is located behind the lower grill. $65 was all it took along with the repairman's knowledge of where to look.

I hear this is a common problem. Good luck.
Hi Peter,

Jon mentioned this possibility as well. I like your thought here. One clue for me was the fact that it stopped making ice right away and seemed to act like it was in the defrost mode. I'll check into this as well.

Thanks .

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Bruce, I think Jon and Peter have the right approach to this situation.

Try to repair it first, and then replace it. Look at it as in the home. How many times have you had your home refrigerator repaired, where it had to be removed. Probably never. The "thing" is to find a competent repair guy, and he should be able to take care of any repair. The decision for you will be what is a justifiable cost.

IMHO if the refrig. goes out it should not come back.

I feel that a repair makes it almost as good as new. Some reffers fail in 6 mos. of new, so even with them you are gambling.

The fit and finish in your prize toy are important, and you haven't enjoyed your new toy enough yet to have to leave it at some shop to have a new one installed to perfection. Fix it first while exploring your options.

An honest repair woman would tell you if she thought it was worth fixing. Do this all on your own, don't ask your wife. That would complicate things too much and prolong any decision.

[rickdesilva]

Bruce
when mine died, I just googled the refrig. that was in there and got the dimensions off the web and started a search based on the old unit (it was a Jenn Air). My problem was, no one had anything in stock that I could immediately purchase and install that was as small as the old unit. I ended up with a GE unit that was pretty close. We had to sacrifice the co-ordinated paneling for Stainless Steel but I made it fit...nothing a hammer couldn't fix. But if I had the time I'm sure I could have ordered an almost identical unit and probably used the panels etc. So if time is on your side and you determine that you want to replace it, its a big inconvenience but not the end of the world.

[Danss]

My Ref did same thing so now every 6 months I slide it out and my local repairman puts freon in and away we go fo another 6 months. Good Luck

[Petervs]

Bruce,

My refrigerator failure mode was that it ran, but did not get cool inside. We keep a thermometer inside both ref and freezer sections so we can keep track of how well it is working.

Anyway, the coils behind the freezer inside panel would freeze solid with ice, then it would stop keeping food cold. I removed the inside back panel and defrosted the coils, then it would work fine for a week or so. But that was obviously a pain to live with, but it kept us on the road. A hair blow dryer works great for defrosting by the way! Marathon wanted $$$ and they would not guarantee anything.

A local guy who knew what he was doing solved it in 5 minutes.

[0533]

My Ref did same thing so now every 6 months I slide it out and my local repairman puts freon in and away we go fo another 6 months. Good Luck
If the Marathon folks only want to handle this out of the coach then I will bring in a skilled Amana repair man first, give a shot and then if it doesn't make steam replace it.

Thanks guys good ideas.

[flyu2there]

Changing out a refrigerator has to be a dreaded day for the coach owner, especially one of the big 350 pound double door boyz. First you need two to three gents that are a strong as bull oxen while at the same time are as graceful as ballerenas....that's a tall order outta the gate. Next you need the windshield guy to pull the windscreen. Next you need a scissor lift or a fork lift for the actual units. Should you have carpets, they will need to be covered with plastic, heavy plastic because the old beast WILL LEAK something, usually a variant of rusty looking water. Should you have tile or marble you will need something to balance the load....maybe a pair of 2 X 6's cut to length for the dolly to roll on, unless the sound of plink plink plink dosen't cause concern. Then comes the transition from the dolly to the selected lift outside of the windshield without damaging anything.....now reverse the entire sequence. I have seen this done but once, it was not a pretty sight.
We have noticed with both rental and personal properties that the life span for most major appliances appears now to be about 10 years....tops. Sure, repairs are possible but the parts are costly and usually need to be ordered.
Topping off with R-22 every six months means a leak and it will get worse, sooner or later it will need to be repaired or replaced.
My unit is fast closing on ten years of age and I know that, unless I sell or trade up, I am looking at a change out in the not too distant future. My plan it to change to component units, Sub-Zero comes to mind. It's like comparing an old console stereo to component stereo, one can chage out and upgrade parts without exchanging the entire unit. They come in an array of sizes and shapes and yes, they are a bit expensive, but if you plan on keepin your coach it is probably a sound investment.

John

[Jon Wehrenberg]

John,

I wouldn't be too quick to cast aside that old refrigerator. Down here in TN we have seen them last for decades on our porch.;)

If you analyze a typical refrigerator you will find there is a limited number of likely failure points.

You can develop a leak. Leaks can be repaired or the offending component can be replaced. Refrigerator parts, espcially 10 year old refrigerator parts are readily available. You can have the fans fail (easily replaceable), the circuit board (also replaceable) or the compressor. The compressor is likely to last the life of the refrigerator unless you have a leak and the system goes down to zero pressure and moisture gets into the system. The compressor is hermetically sealed and the motor and internals run in oil. There is very little that can go wrong with the compressor.

Virtually all refrigerators in our coaches except the amonia ones use 134A.

As to going out the windshield it is not a big deal. A windsield is a 10 minute removal and a 35 minute replacement. Lining the path and dash with shipping blankets offers good protection and removing doors and all removable components greatly reduces the weight. It still takes a bunch of guys and the required cold beer to remove the refrigerator, but I view that as a last resort. In my coach I would have to remove the passenger side seat and sofa to insure I had plenty of room so the windshield is the easy part, it is the removal of all the interior stuff that is the PITA.

[0533]

Changing out a refrigerator has to be a dreaded day for the coach owner, especially one of the big 350 pound double door boyz. First you need two to three gents that are a strong as bull oxen while at the same time are as graceful as ballerenas....that's a tall order outta the gate. Next you need the windshield guy to pull the windscreen. Next you need a scissor lift or a fork lift for the actual units. Should you have carpets, they will need to be covered with plastic, heavy plastic because the old beast WILL LEAK something, usually a variant of rusty looking water. Should you have tile or marble you will need something to balance the load....maybe a pair of 2 X 6's cut to length for the dolly to roll on, unless the sound of plink plink plink dosen't cause concern. Then comes the transition from the dolly to the selected lift outside of the windshield without damaging anything.....now reverse the entire sequence. I have seen this done but once, it was not a pretty sight.
We have noticed with both rental and personal properties that the life span for most major appliances appears now to be about 10 years....tops. Sure, repairs are possible but the parts are costly and usually need to be ordered.
Topping off with R-22 every six months means a leak and it will get worse, sooner or later it will need to be repaired or replaced.
My unit is fast closing on ten years of age and I know that, unless I sell or trade up, I am looking at a change out in the not too distant future. My plan it to change to component units, Sub-Zero comes to mind. It's like comparing an old console stereo to component stereo, one can chage out and upgrade parts without exchanging the entire unit. They come in an array of sizes and shapes and yes, they are a bit expensive, but if you plan on keepin your coach it is probably a sound investment.

John
I agree Jon, this is not what I had hoped for just after I had the interior done over, floors, ceiling etc. I have soft cork floors and they do not like too much weight on them.

I do however think that it might be a simple fix, as the unit really did work great in the beginning. I was thinking about being prepared to replace a few
items just in case. have the repairman bring along a few of the most likely problem parts and replace a few of them, and this way I can get ahead of the power curve if we are lucky enough to find the problem. Things like Jon mentioned. Circuit boards, defrost cycle thermostat stuff like this. The frig looks great, plenty large and will give this a try first. Through a few $100 at the problem and cross my fingers.

[flyu2there]

Jon,

You are right about the 134, I was typing way too fast. You are also correct on the availability of parts.....for now. I still contend that the parts can be very expensive and it many cases the ends do not justify the means....ain't worth repairing the beast.

What I witnessed was the removal of a "newer" refer from an XLII, that is one huge windscreen, at Beaudry in Tucson. I guess the could have removed the doors, but they didn't. They muscled it down the isle and muscled it thru the window opening onto a scissor lift.

I still contend that the component units would make excellent replacements....Now for that old fridge on the porch in Tenn....sure you haven't cut a hole in the top of it and use it as a smoker for possum meat??:D

John

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Bruce, if your refrigerator installation is like mine it has involved the partial disassembly of the refrigerator to paint exposed surfaces in a color to exactly match the interior. The face of the refrigerator has panels to match the surfaces of the cabinetry. The refrigerator truly looks like the coach was built around it.

So if you have to replace it you have the labor to remove the old one. In my case I have to remove the DR table, the sofa and the co-pilot seat and the windshield, plus protect all the surfaces. I cannot see the exercise requiring less than four people.

Then the new refrigerator needs all the refinishing to match what was removed. If it is not finished like the one it replaces it stands out. Like a sore thumb.

Getting one back in place is slightly harder than removing one so my best guess is that in addition to the purchase price of a new refrigerator, you are faced with at least four hours of disassembly and reassembly and the time to move it in and out the windshield. I'll bet a day is eaten up by all that has to be done. Three or four guys working a day at even $50 an hour plus the other costs makes a new refrigerator a cost in excess of $2000. It is worth gambling a lot of money to try to make the existing one work right when it is looked at in that context.

[mcirco]

Sounds like we should have POG mini-rallies in Lowe's or Home Depot Parking Lots when refrigorator replacements are needed.


Miles & Laura Circo
2004 Country Coach XL II 45' D/S

[flyu2there]

Bruce,

Jon is probably right however you really need to set some limits on the repairs as they close on the cost a a new one. Point in case, I have a Robert Bosch Dishwasher that died. I didn't want to fool with it so I called their local repair guy........ Control failure, part cost $375.00. labor 125.00, service call 50.00, wait time, two weeks. New Bosch Dishwasher 795.00, install free, wait time zero. Guess thats called a value judgement...

John

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Bruce, the refrigerator removal can be likened to having your bus towed.

The end result is determined by how knowledgeable and caring the technicians and you will be for the process.

If mistakes are made there are sure to be, "oops, I'm sooooo sorry, I was trying to be sooo careful", and it's YOU that has to live with it!:eek: afterwards!

Take your time and remain in control. Get protective materials for nearby surfaces and be responsible for them yourself. If the unexpected circumstance should arise mid stream, stop everything until you come up with the correct solution. Don't just proceed and say "oh well".

Go to your favorite building center and purchase a roll of underlayment material used under such as "Pergo laminate flooring". It is clean soft and should not slide around. Over that cut 1/2" thick panels to fit the area where you will be working. They will prevent gouging and denting. (save the panels for future needs)

Choose the service personnel carefully, Meet with them ahead of time to see if you approve, or if there is a personality conflict before you start the job.
You might have him make a bogus call at your house just for a test. If you don't like the guy at the door, don't be afraid to send him away!

Many refrigerators are changed out only for the whimsical desire to change the "look" if you will of the kitchen. You now want to preserve that look, so it is paramount to fix what you have, and it is possible. Even if the repair is expensive it is worth achieving your desired result. "preserving the look".
The repair should not be looked at as a band aid, but as reconditioning to original condition!

Take for example, you purchase a new refer and after a short time and under warranty it needs any of the parts mentioned in the previous posts, the manufacturer would authorize repair and replacement of those parts and it would be done right there in your home.
Case closed!

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I thinking of a great picture for this thread. JUB can you guess:confused:

[garyde]

In selecting a new refer, I would not choose sub zero unless you do some research. Some of these units displace excessive heat and tend to be
noisey.

[0533]

In selecting a new refer, I would not choose sub zero unless you do some research. Some of these units displace excessive heat and tend to be
noisey.
We have a sub Zero side by side in the house now, no great shakes. I bet they don't make as good a product as the old Amana's.

Jon talks about the circuit board replacements. This brings up a consideration. What about surge protection in the coach. Is any provided by the invertors?? How about having one in front of the frig plug??

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Do a search of RV surge protectors. There are numerous sources of them, and we recently had a thread about them that you should be able to review using the search function. That way the entire bus is protected.

Some converters build protection into the coach.

[0533]

I found a really cool appliance repair website called "repairclinic.com"

I also found the model # for my frig in my original build sheet. here is a link to the website:

http://www.repairclinic.com/SmartSearch/smartsearch.aspx?SearchText=%60Bamana&gclid=CJqYxbvHtZICFRUYsgodtRrsRQ

[flyu2there]

I just mentioned sub-zero...there are a number of others. Point is that a commercial unit will last longer than a domestic...hopefully! Your right about the old Amana...but remember they don't build the old Amana today! Hecho in China.....

[0533]

I just mentioned sub-zero...there are a number of others. Point is that a commercial unit will last longer than a domestic...hopefully! Your right about the old Amana...but remember they don't build the old Amana today! Hecho in China.....
Don't get me going on the Made In China thing. My wife will spend $100 in gas to find something made in North America, and when she finds it she buys it whether she needs it or not.

We have just had some bad experiences with a commercial kitchen we put in our home a few years ago, wolf/Sub Zero lots of repairs, stupid stuff, and the same repair over and over.

I just am mad at myself for not following my heart when I had the coach in Coburg. Replaced the microwave and wanted to replace the frig, and my wife said it looked like it was brand new and hardly ever used. I even replaced the very same window that it has to come through because it had a crack, ha ha.

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

This brings up a consideration. What about surge protection in the coach. Is any provided by the invertors??


Here is the Surge Protector I and some of the others have been using. http://www.progressiveindustries.net/PT50C.asp

It protects everything on the bus, and lets you check the post for proper wiring before plugging in!

A little expensive, but not when you consider what it does for you and your bus.



Gary S.