Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: joeszeidel on September 29, 2014, 07:26:04 pm

Title: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: joeszeidel on September 29, 2014, 07:26:04 pm
Has anyone had rusty metal fall down the flue pipe of your refrigerator and what can be done about it.
Title: Re: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: Pamela & Mike on September 29, 2014, 08:02:08 pm
When we have rust start to fall down on the burner we take the vent cover off, remove the stack "T", then you can pull the baffle. Once the baffle is out you can run a tube brush down the flue pipe to clean it out. Once you have it cleaned out then it is just reverse the procedure to put it back together and vacuum up the area around the burner. While you are cleaning you should check the burner tube for spider webs and get them while you are at it.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on September 29, 2014, 08:02:38 pm
That rust is the result of flue gases and humidity.  Tap on the flue til it stops falling, gently blow air into the flue and than clean up the stuff that falls on the burner.  Should be done every year or so.
Gary B
Title: Re: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: jor on September 29, 2014, 09:49:54 pm
Here's a few photos of the process that P&M and Gary are describing. If you're comfortable working on your roof and doing a little disassembly, it's not bad.
1. Top: The first photo is from the roof looking down into the frig compartment. You'll probably see some insulation which you need to get out of the way.
2. Baffle (last photo): Once you remove the insulation, you'll see the hook of the wire that holds the baffle in place. It is suspended in the burner tube just above the burner. Pull it out.
3. Cleaner: This is my cleaner. Just rig up some kind of bottle brush on a stick or something and run it through the burner tube.
4. Rust: Here's what came out of mine. I suspect it had never been cleaned.
5. Burner: If you remove the burner, it's easier. Also gives you a chance to clean it up.
6. Orifice: If you take the burner out you can clean up the little gas orifice.
7. Blue Flame: Once you're done, the flame should look like this.
Good luck.
jor
Title: Re: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: joeszeidel on September 30, 2014, 06:37:05 am
Thank you all for the response the pictures are great. I have read a lot about the dometic refrigerator and many of you have changed them to a residential. Mine still works great so this should not be a big deal, thanks again. 
Title: Re: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on September 30, 2014, 08:09:00 am
Jor's  instructions are right one.
One caution..... DO NOT try to clean out the orifice with a wire , needle or anything else.  The best you can do is soak it in alcohol.  Very rarely will an orifice clog up.
Gary B
Title: Re: rusty metal on refrigerator flue pip
Post by: joeszeidel on September 30, 2014, 02:47:17 pm
point well taken. thanks for the tip Gary.