12' Series RM2553 Fridge Options

Expanadaman

New Member
Jul 15, 2026
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Jaycoshow72
Folks,
Fridge doing my head in !!
Up until recently my trouble free 3 way original had always done its job. Owned van for about 10 years.
150L RM2553 beige in a March 2012 16.49-1 Expanda Outback, stock standard cabinetry install. Never been touched at all, never missed a beat.
Hadn't used van for 18-24 months, plugged it into 240V to pre cool fridge for long weekender. Didn't do its bizzo, not cool.
Tried the gas option, same no cool. Gave up for that trip.

Have since had some time and tested at home, no better outcome !!

100% flat level. Put some multiple cold bottles of water in there, thermometers in freezer and fridge spaces.
240 V, 100% tested power point. all good, run for 48 hours, Boiler tube warm, fridge not cooling at all.
Gas full bottle. Piezo lighter and normal function of firing up via switch panel, flame burning bright, all visible when I took cover off, flu warm, 3 days running, fridge not cooling at all.
The fridge itself inside making the churning, cycling, chugging, gurgling noises as normal when liquid/gas sounds like it flowing and doing its normal job on both 240 and gas but no cooling in fridge at all. Freezer space nothing.
It all sounds normal and produces heat as expected on both 240/gas but does not cool fridge/freezer at all.

Reading lots of possibilities, in other's experiences, would you think I'm looking at possibility of:

1 - blocked pipes/tubes (gurgling noise sounds like something is happening within so not sure if this is the problem) - try Burp time ?
2 - Lost gas/ammonia/water (No obvious leaks) - how do you test this ?
3 - Thermostat issue - grasping at straws ?
4 - Bin time !!

I can take to local general fridgy workshop in bush where I live, but thought I'd see if I couldn't at least try to diagnose it myself prior to coughing up.

Free mars bar to anyone who can provide any leads and or conviction of culprit on my issue !!

Cheers
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
13,261
20,067
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QLD
A hot flu under Gas or Power means the burner and elements are okay ...... 8-)

It could be age has caused the refrigerant to block up but if its been stored level and youv'e done a run in it, I doubt its the issue as the run should have shaken things up...

Loss of refrigerant is a possibility, with such a long period between use it could have leaked out and you wouldn't have smelt it, unless you recall a strong smell of Cats Pee lingering around ... The refrigerent is ammonia so stinks.

Thermostat on these manual jobs can be an issue, if you fire it up with thermostat set to coldest the gas burner should roar away at full noise and once turned to the warmest setting the burner should drop right back, been awhile now since Ive fiddled with one but I think we gave each setting a good 10 mins or so to settle , at the time it was the switch causing the problem, not expensive just a big pain to get at as the fridge does need to be removed .........
If its gurgling I think thats a sign of the refrigerent just not getting to vaporise, so thermo issue is the most likely if the flame doesn't vary in intensity ...

A new thermostat to suit Part# 2931336016 from Caravans Plus is $210 so be aorund the $200 smackers ....

When mine went after some 10 years or so, it didn't cool but when I went to check at the back, Cats Pee hit me so I knew it was stuffed, if you pull the fridge out and have a close inspection of the back you may see a rusty crack in the fins/tank areas ...........
Repair at these ages I didn't think was a good idea so did a measure up and got a new one and while waiting for it to be delivered I gave the fridge cavity a remodel with proper insulation and sealing, upgraded my fan block ...

I looked at compressor fridge but while cost was similar the extra battery storage pushed it into too many $$$ and with proper insulation fitting mine now works just as good as compressor job ............. If you do replace look for a 2 door job if one will fit int he space as a decent freezer is a god send.

Bought my new fridge from Dometic in Brisbane as it was cheaper delivered than from other RV Shops. ....



Hope that helps ............