Q Why does my fridge not work properly on gas?

I have a Thetford N3150 fridge/freezer in my motorhome. Everything works fine on mains electric, and 12V when running. When switching to gas, it ignites and there is a flame all along the burner, but it does not cool down.

A fault code does not appear on the screen. This fridge is only four years old (two of these being in lockdown) and has only been used on gas approximately 12 times.

We have had the fridge checked and have been told that a replacement fridge is required.

Your expert advice would be appreciated as the cost would be enormous. I would have thought that it would last longer than this.

M Hughes A It is possible that you have been given some bad advice by someone who may want to sell you a new fridge.

The fact that the fridge operates correctly on both 12V and mains suggests that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the fridge.

However, there is a problem with the gas system.

I have seen a similar problem and, on that occasion, a very small bit of plating had fallen off the inside coating of the rigid pipe that fed the burner unit of the fridge, partially blocking the fridge gas jet.

This resulted in a smaller flame than usual and there was no cooling.

From a diagnostic viewpoint, the electronics think that everything is working so no fault code is generated.

Normally the flame lights using the electronic igniter and a robust flame is generated. Once the fridge gets down to temperature, the valve turns off the gas to the burner.

This cycle is repeated to maintain the fridge at the set temperature.

I believe you need to find another trustworthy Thetford-approved specialist to rectify this problem.

Lastly, never try to clean the jet by forcing anything into it as this will result in a massive flame size and a smoked-up burner unit and flue.

Clive Mott

We have arranged for a Thetfordapproved engineer to look at the fridge on 5 September (the earliest that he could come) and will let you know what the outcome is.