Don't know how many have heard or seen this information, but a good friend
just forwarded the info. This is REAL. The link to all the info is
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18592867.cfm
Here is what it states:
From the NHTSA website:
Dometic Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 06E076000
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
DOMETIC / NDR1062 9999
DOMETIC / RM2652 9999
DOMETIC / RM2662 9999
DOMETIC / RM2663 9999
DOMETIC / RM2852 9999
DOMETIC / RM2862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3662 9999
DOMETIC / RM3663 9999
DOMETIC / RM3862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3863 9999
Manufacturer : DOMETIC CORPORATION
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06E076000 Mfg's Report Date : AUG 28, 2006
Component: EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 926877
Summary:
CERTAIN DOMETIC TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1997 AND
MAY 2003: SERIAL NOS.
713XXXXX THROUGH 752XXXXX;
801XXXXX THROUGH 852XXXXX;
901XXXXX THROUGH 952XXXXX;
001XXXXX THROUGH 052XXXXX;
101XXXXX THROUGH 152XXXXX;
201XXXXX THROUGH 252XXXXX;
301XXXXX THROUGH 319XXXXX,
INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS
AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH
MAY RELEASE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION INTO AN AREA
WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
THE RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A
FIRE.
Remedy:
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THAT
HAD THE REFRIGERATORS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND DOMETIC WILL
NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE AFTERMARKET REFRIGERATORS. DOMETIC WILL INSTALL A
SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC AT
888-446-5157.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S
VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO
HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
The following is extracted from the notice provided by Dometic to the NHTSA
dated 8/26/06:
A/S used virtually all the model #s listed and so everyone should verify if
their unit is among those affected. Sad to say, but both my rigs have
fridges matching up to the list. This problem seems to have been caused by
Dometic switching to a slightly higher wattage electric element starting in
1997 in an effort to improve operational efficiency. The higher wattage
unit appears to have caused metal fatigue in the boiler tube which then
develops microfractures. If you read the list of things that must occur in
order for there to be a fire the odds are fairly high against such
occurrences, BUT there are documented cases of it happening. Switching to
gas operation is NOT a way to avoid the issue as the damage from the
electric element, if such damage has occurred, is already present. The fire
hazard ONLY happens when running on gas as an ignition source (ie a flame)
has to be present when the microfractured boiler tube vents ammonia gas.
The only safe mode of operation is electric even though it is the root cause
of the metal fatigue (ie the expansion/contraction of the boiler tube as the
electric element cycles on and off). Once the boiler tube microfractures,
it will vent all the refrigerant and cease to cool. As long as there is no
flame present to ignite the atomized ammonia, there is no danger of fire,
but the fridge is toast once the boiler tube microfractures. A new cooling
unit can be installed, but that is almost as expensive as an entire new
fridge. Regardless of what year A/S you own, you should check the model #
and serial # as listed in the post to verify if you are affected.
The number of fridges involved approaches almost 1 million and the repair
that has been negotiated with the NHTSA is to prevent the fire hazard, not
to address the actual root cause or premature failure. There is no fix
other than replacement of the cooling unit that will correct the damage
caused by the higher wattage electric heating element. Dometic plans to
roll out the recall campaign in January 2007. Norcold had a similar recall
that initially took the bandaid approach but Norcold finally stepped up to
the plate and replaced the entire cooling unit in all affected fridges.
Owner feedback might convince Dometic to take a similar approach.
David Tidmore