Dometic RM7855L corrosion problem. Your experiences, please (1 Viewer)

[biggsy]

The Dometic fridge freezer in our 6 yr old van recently started giving off a strong ammonia smell. Local dealer has diagnosed corrosion in the pipes at the back of the fridge. It looks like my warranty company are not going to cover the replacement costs (around £1000), calling it normal wear and tear.

Has anyone else experienced similar corrosion problems in a fridge of this age? Any experiences of getting similar problems fixed under warranty?

 

[funflair]

I don't think this is particularly common.

Is the fridge working.

 

[biggsy]

It works in a sense i.e. it still cools, but the stink of ammonia is unbearable, so it's unusable.

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[funflair]

I don't think it will carry on working for long and as you have found out best to leave it off, if you look at the back you will see a yellow fur where it is leaking.

 

[scotjimland]

A leak caused by internal corrosion at 6 years is unusual, but the Dometic warranty is only 2 years.
so, unless the warranty company had specifically covered the fridge against faults, I don't think you have a claim..

that's just my opinion.

 

[jhorsf]

up to six years?
http://webarchive.nationalarchives....whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html

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[scotjimland]

sale of goods act?

perhaps,
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Broken Link Removed

You can ask for a repair or replacement at any time up to six years after you bought the goods as long as it is reasonable for them to have lasted this long. If the goods go wrong after six years, you no longer have the right to ask for a repair or replacement.

 

[jhorsf]

I had a microwave that only lasted just over 3 years before it failed I took it back to Argos my wife would not believe me about the six years .They tried to fob me off I asked for the manager who promptly told them to use the proper sliding scale and allow me x amount against a replacement they know they have to comply if you insist

 

[scotjimland]

I had a microwave that only lasted just over 3 years before it failed I took it back to Argos my wife would not believe me about the six years .They tried to fob me off I asked for the manager who promptly told them to use the proper sliding scale and allow me x amount against a replacement they know they have to comply if you insist

absolutely agree, I've returned several items that failed outside the warranty and had them replaced.. .. including training shoes, a food mixer, a coffee machine, and a kettle .. no big company wants the agro of a complaint and bad publicity

but I think the fridge is a borderline case.. but worth a try..

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[biggsy]

Thanks folks. Some useful advice there. Bit of a minefield as to who I might claim from. Is it Chausson, who originally fitted the fridge; Highbridge, who supplied the van to the first owner; or Lowdhams, who supplied it to me? Any way you look at it, it is not Dometic, who made the thing. Doesn't seem fair really.

But thanks. Am getting the sense this is not a common fault, and the Sale of Goods stuff is very useful.

 

[scottie58]

are you sure it is pipes? A blocked flue could smell similar? Ours which is also 6 yrs old smelt of rotting fish / eggy!!!! But only when running on gas. The guy replaced the jet, burner and cleaned the flue - works great now.

 

[DavidG58]

this might be a long shot, but found this

https://www.dometic.com/enuk/Europe/United-Kingdom/Customer-Center/Recall-Information/

looks like it covers your model, but I have no idea how old this recall notice is cant tell from the web page

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[biggsy]

Yeah, saw that DavidG58. Thanks. Like you, I couldn't tell how old. However, it isn't related to the fault we have.

Scottie58, it's definitely coolant leakage. We've had the fridge out and found the point of leakage, which is the coolant pipe that runs up alongside the flue pipe. It's normally buried in insulation, so was difficult to pinpoint. Already had done what you describe - believe it or not, that rotten egg smell is much nicer than the ammonia that comes out! Thanks for your idea though.

 

[MikeD]

I would write to the Dometic in a nice tone pointing out what has occurred and ask for their assistance.

A lot of companies value their good name and often go out of their way to give assistance.