Dometic Fridge problem

[Mikey RV]

I think our Dometic fridge freezer is caput. It’s the RMT 7655L model,with the oven on the top. I think the oven can be separated from fridge freezer. It is ten years old and used all the time so I think it has done well. Two day’s ago I could smell ammonia now and again and then yesterday could smell it again and the wife also smelled it. We had all the windows and doors open so only got a whiff now and again. Then yesterday the fridge stopped cooling. Am I right in thinking that the fact that we could smell ammonia the fridge is now dead, kaput, finished. Has anybody had this problem and if so where did you go to get a new one fitted etc. HELP Please.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think you are right the refrigerant has leaked I think you can get a replacement cooling unit, not cheap a few hundred quid.
Not sure if Techno fitted one a few years ago.

 

[PeteH]

I had a new Unit fitted to the Frig; in my First R-V. Pace Arrow. That was in 1998, and cost over £300-00, back then. To be honest, Unless there was no way a more modern unit will fit the space I would not go that route again. The smell of Ammonia, is a Virtual certain confirmation the the Coil has failed.

Useless information, the guy who fitted mine lived in Huddersfield, and traded as the "Fridge Doctor". He retired many years ago, but used to go the Warner Shows.

 

[DavidG58]

Two years ago ours failed the same way

the oven doesn’t separate and the tech tower is no longer available

we ended up with a fridge freezer only, nice big fridge though but no oven

paid £1600 for an ex demo fridge though

Tec tower fridge has failed, need new or repair?

Evening all, a good few of you may have already have spotted my ammonia thread, this we now know was the refrigerant gas leaking out of our Dometic tec tower fridge freezer the MH is technically only 9 years old, that is since registered, but was built in 2007 to a 2008 spec we are second...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Mikey RV]

Two years ago ours failed the same way

the oven doesn’t separate and the tech tower is no longer available

we ended up with a fridge freezer only, nice big fridge though but no oven

paid £1600 for an ex demo fridge though

Tec tower fridge has failed, need new or repair?

Evening all, a good few of you may have already have spotted my ammonia thread, this we now know was the refrigerant gas leaking out of our Dometic tec tower fridge freezer the MH is technically only 9 years old, that is since registered, but was built in 2007 to a 2008 spec we are second...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Seems like a bit of research is needed. Whatever way it’s going to cost a lot.

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[Mikey RV]

A month later I am still no further forward with this. I found a thetford fridge freezer and then with a separate oven which I thought would work. Found a place in Wrexham who was a Thetford dealer. Couple of emails later he basically said he can’t do it. John cross motorhomes are not really interested. I was hoping they would do it so it works in with our winter plans. I can’t believe that I am the only one who has had this problem with this tec tower fridge which is now not available. There must be a replacement.

 

[Googlebot]

Have you tried Travelworld? Based in Stafford?

 

[Manic]

Would these people be worth a ring to get a price
Broken Link Removed

 

[Toady]

Had some real issues with my Dometic RM7655L fridge recently and thought it may be curtains. Even priced up a new one, the cheapest being £2000! (Not fitted)

In the end, called out a local Dometic engineer and it cost £200 for the repair.

May be worth having it checked over and get a price for the repair.

Good luck

 

[Mr David]

Mikey RV

If you ring Dometic on 0344620133 and pick the option for Leisure Spares, by quoting the Production number (you'll find that on the plate inside the fridge) and ask the availability and part number (they won't quote a price unless you are a trade customer) for a cooling unit for your fridge/freezer. Once you have the correct part number/s then try Leisure Shop Direct or Caravan Accessory Shop for a price.
I have a RMDT 8505 which now needs a new cooling unit. Leisure Shop Direct have told me that the cooler unit for this is discontinued but when I enquired of Dometic they confirmed that and then told me the part numbers for an exact equivalent cooling unit plus a new burner and gas pipe and the current availability.
Armed with the new part numbers I have been able to get prices from the above mentioned supplies.
The next thing is to find an engineer, unless you plan to do the work yourself, who is happy to do the work. I plan to use Ollyvan and he has done this sort of replacement before and he is also happy for me to order the parts for him to fit.
Hope all that is of some use.

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[Speve]

Seems like a bit of research is needed. Whatever way it’s going to cost a lot.

I took the oven off of my tech tower as we did not want it so replaced with microwave cupboard, it’s not easy as the oven was pop riveted to a bracket each side on the top of the freezer, you need to take out the trim around the front and then you can get a long thin bar and chop off the rivets it’s a bit fiddly but doable.
I then built a cupboard in its place with a fire proof back as that forms part of the fridge gubbins space behind the vents and needs to be sealed.

 

[Mr David]

Mikey RV

If you ring Dometic on 0344620133 and pick the option for Leisure Spares, by quoting the Production number (you'll find that on the plate inside the fridge) and ask the availability and part number (they won't quote a price unless you are a trade customer) for a cooling unit for your fridge/freezer. Once you have the correct part number/s then try Leisure Shop Direct or Caravan Accessory Shop for a price.
I have a RMDT 8505 which now needs a new cooling unit. Leisure Shop Direct have told me that the cooler unit for this is discontinued but when I enquired of Dometic they confirmed that and then told me the part numbers for an exact equivalent cooling unit plus a new burner and gas pipe and the current availability.
Armed with the new part numbers I have been able to get prices from the above mentioned supplies.
The next thing is to find an engineer, unless you plan to do the work yourself, who is happy to do the work. I plan to use Ollyvan and he has done this sort of replacement before and he is also happy for me to order the parts for him to fit.
Hope all that is of some use.

Update
When you ring Dometic you need options 2 then 2. This will put you through to Leisure Spares who are an independent company that supply Dometic spares. (This I only discovered today) Today I rang them to confirm the part numbers I need BUT this time I got a very unhelpful operator who refused to give me any information, even the manager was unhelpful. The reason given was that I was not in the trade as an engineer and therefore would not supply to me and if I order from someone else why should they help a competitor. I don't think that is the sort of attitude that Dometic surely would want of a company that is supposed to be representing them.
I seem to have been lucky to have got a helpful operator when I first made my enquiry.
Leisure Spares most certainly will not be getting my business as I will, without doubt, make sure that a competitor gets this order.

 

[Mr David]

Mikey RV hopefully I've been able to source the Dometic spare part I need. At a suggestion from dulvil I contacted DMS, you'll probably see their advert lower down on this page. They very quickly responded to my phone enquiry and sourced the spare part from Holland for delivery direct to me at a price that is considerably cheaper than any English supplier and as the item is in stock it should be with me towards the end of next week. So, if you are still having problems, try DMS.

 

[Mikey RV]

Thanks for that Mr David. I have still not sorted it. Camper U.K. the Burstner dealer sent me an email with parts prices to repair the fridge freezer which worked out about at £800 just for parts. But then I would be worried spending that much in a ten year old fridge in case anything else broke or the oven, so have decided to go for a new one. And that’s where the fun starts to find one that fits, so waiting for some suggestions from them but they are not to quick on returning emails. John cross motorhomes where I wanted to go because location would have suited us later in the year have given up on us, telling us to ask a Burstner dealer as they might know more. A link Manic sent me for obrian have had no response. Even Dometic who I have contacted via email twice now, no response. We are lucky that we have use of a fridge freezer for now. I can’t believe how hard it is to get a fridge freezer replacement and get it fitted. It’s almost like they just want easy jobs and don’t know how to reply to emails.

 

[Toady]

I was in the same position as you. The parts I may have needed added up to £600. I spoke to the Dometic Engineer and he had the parts. It was despair at one stage. The engineer was a great guy. Visited the house sorted problem which was the control panel (£200) as previously stated and £30 labour. He sorted some other issues, issued great advice and the fridge is running well (fingers crossed) A new fridge £2000+ and then the fit. What a joke! Worth linking in with a reputable engineer in your area or even travelling to meet up with one. May save you a wad.

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[Toady]

PS my fridge was 10 years old too

 

[Mikey RV]

I was in the same position as you. The parts I may have needed added up to £600. I spoke to the Dometic Engineer and he had the parts. It was despair at one stage. The engineer was a great guy. Visited the house sorted problem which was the control panel (£200) as previously stated and £30 labour. He sorted some other issues, issued great advice and the fridge is running well (fingers crossed) A new fridge £2000+ and then the fit. What a joke! Worth linking in with a reputable engineer in your area or even travelling to meet up with one. May save you a wad.

I just find it mad that the tec tower is no longer made so all the motorhomes out there with that set up are going to have this problem at some time. You would have thought that Dometic would have made a replacement if discontinuing that model. Or maybe that’s to easy.

 

[Lenny HB]

DavidG58 replaced his 7000 series TecTower last year with a fridge freezer that had a big pull out freezer draw.

 

[Toady]

There must be plenty of people on this site who have been in the same position and can give you advice. Good luck.

 

[Mikey RV]

DavidG58 replaced his 7000 series TecTower last year with a fridge freezer that had a big pull out freezer draw.

I saw that one. It’s a possible. Would prefer to still have an oven but may go for fridge freezer and Remoska.

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[gus-lopez]

o have decided to go for a new one.

Before committing to that route I would make sure it can actually be got in to the van for installation,many can't even be removed without being chopped up as they are installed before the walls & roof.

 

[peterc10]

I just find it mad that the tec tower is no longer made so all the motorhomes out there with that set up are going to have this problem at some time. You would have thought that Dometic would have made a replacement if discontinuing that model. Or maybe that’s to easy.

There are several versions of the TEC tower. With the RMT7 series the oven and fridge were in one unit. We have the RMT8 series and we know that the oven and fridge are separate, because we had the oven changed under warranty. But there are now RMT9 and RMT10 series out, so not sure.

I understand that Dometic have a fridge replacement chart showing the equivalent models needed to replace an existing one. But I can only find and old (2016) version of that here

 

[tonyidle]

I had the cooling unit replaced in my 2012 Techtower. The oven is simply removed once the whole unit is out (I didn't refit the oven but found a microwave the same size). A new cooling unit cost £800 including installation two years ago. Under warranty I'm pleased to say.