How much to fix fridge

[George2]

Hi,

My fridge has stopped working on mains, works fine on gas and as good as ever(??) on 12v. I've checked the supply and the feed to the fridge has power, so I'm guessing the mains heater element has failed. What sort of price should I expect to get this fixed.

Thanks

 

[rob_jax]

Depends on what the access is like to the back of your fridge.

I've helped a friend in our Eriba owners group fix a failed heater element in a 15 year old Eriba, but that was easy because the lower (and upper) vents are positioned so you can do the servicing work from the outside without removing the fridge.

However, you should plan on the engineer needing to remove the fridge (and then be pleasantly surprised if they don't need to) - so that's about 1 hour to remove, fit a new heater cartridge, and re-fit the fridge. How much - depends on local labour rates.

But if you have any DIY skills, you should be able to do the job yourself - especially if you can do it in situ and not dismantle any gas connections.

Robert

 

[Charles_374240409]

George

I repaired mine earlier this year - same problem as you have. Mine's an Electrolux fitted in an Eldiss Avante.

An element will cost you about

 

[ProfJohnL]

Rob Jax alludes to the point that if you need to break a gas connection to remove the fridge, then you must refer the removal and refitting it to a competent gas fitter.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

I know it's a bit off subject but I for one was not aware that bottled gas came under the gorgi regulations.and if it does how legal is it to change a propane bottle or regulator that requires the use of a spanner spanner

 

[Damian]

Colin, the rules about bottled gas are not as clear cut as you may think.

Privately owned Touring Caravans and Motorhomes, which are not hired out as part of a business are exempt from the requirement to have CORGI registered fitters work on the systems, BUT the fitter MUST be what they term a "competent person", that is, have been trained in gas fitting and all that goes with that, AND the work MUST conform to the GSI &URS regulations 1998.

For Static vans and Hire vehicles or Caravans hired out the fitter MUST be CORGI registered with the LPG additional qualification.

 

[Damian]

Sorry, forgot to add, the Bottle change and bottle mounted regulators were exempted from the rules to allow the end user to change them themselves to save having to source a fitter every time a bottle ran out, and these type of regs are not directly connected to the fixed gas piping, but linked by the pigtail.

Changing the Bulkhead mounted regulators is not permitted by the owner, as they are directly conneted to the main gas piping.

 

[Glenn_5132962]

We had our element changed by a call out engineer last year. The process was exactly that as described by Charles. If I knew it was so simple I would have done it myself. Total bill was about

 

[George2]

Ok everyone thanks for your replies. My van is due in on Saturday for some major bodywork repairs, and I've just asked the dealer how much it would cost to fix the fridge, if it is the electric heating element, then it will 'only' cost me

 

[Robert_374242026]

Rob Jax alludes to the point that if you need to break a gas connection to remove the fridge, then you must refer the removal and refitting it to a competent gas fitter.

On Forum the other week we had the semi/skilled labour discussian about jobs, it was mentioned that any job which can be learnt in a resonable time must be semi-skilled and in connection with this one it is not rocket science undoing /refitting a joint and checking for gas tightness.Like most jobs if you have to ask do not do it.

 

[Robert_374242026]

Ok everyone thanks for your replies. My van is due in on Saturday for some major bodywork repairs, and I've just asked the dealer how much it would cost to fix the fridge, if it is the electric heating element, then it will 'only' cost me

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Robert,

Whilst I agree that the mechanics of undoing and remaking a gas connection are not complex, what is often overlooked by casual fitter is the legal requirement for the gas soundness of the system to be proven.

Most casual fitters do not have access to the equipment to complete this required element, and even if they have the equipment, they may not know the process and criteria and standards that have to be applied.

Failure to complete the tests is by definition incompetence, and that is a breach of health & safety law, which is a criminal offence.

We must not forget that it is not just the gas fitting that must be compliant, it is the whole function of the gas appliance.

I have seen the aftermath of gas fitting work that was not compliant, and the damage to lives that can be caused is very distressing.

 

[Happy-Lappy]

While I agree to all the comments, especially the one's from John.L can anyone tell me how long the electric element lasts for. I have a 2005 van and last week the element packed up and I have been told by my Dealer, that this is not covered by warranty and will be around

 

[Damian]

Martin, unfortunately it is not possible to give a life span for anything electrical.

Sometimes you get a good one which may last many years, or one that stops working after a relatively short time.

Being bounced around when towing does nothing to encourage longevity in any of the fittings or equipment, especially as they get older.

You are right about Dometic, they have taken over from Electrolux.

Most items in a van carry a 2 year warranty, so check the original registration date on your documents.