Westy Fridge Removal

[Dubstar]

Trying to take the fridge out of my Westy to get at the rust behind it and I was wondering if anybody had any tips? I did a quick search on here and found info on servicing but I couldn't see anything about how to take it out in the first place. I've taken off the door and the surround but the fridge seems to be stuck solid and I can't see any more screws at the front. So before I break something, are there screws into the sides or at the back? Cheers guys (and gals) It's an 81 by the way, early type of fridge and the fake wood effect furniture rather than white.

[alfieboy]

Screws in both sides

[sjmtlewy]

Bentley instructions, which I think are for a westy, are:

Unscrew and remove vent cover
Disconnect gas and wiring connections in cupboards
Remove door
Remove screws from top and bottom of cupboards either side that secure fridge in place
Remove plugs and screws from fridge front
Remove front kick plate.
Pull.

[Westy End]

a tip i heard was that you should mark a pencil line down the side of the fridge against the inside of the housing otherwise refitting is difficult to match up the screw holes

[Dubstar]

Cheers guys, I'll have a proper look tomorrow. Good tip about the marks to line the fridge up.

[ninja.turtle007]

It is really easy and should only take 5 mins with a couple of goes under your belt.

Disconnect gas, 12v wires and 240v plug- all in cupboard under the sink.

Remove fridge door/surround 4/5 screws in the front.

Remove screws from side of the fridge located in the under sink cupboard and opposite side cupboard should be around 4 of them.

Pull out the fridge at the same time feed through 12v and 240v cables. The exhaust pipe on mine will then pop off.

[Westy End]

i agree that it should be easy but i cant budge the gas pipe connection and am afraid about deforming the pipe - any tips? i heard that some are threaded differently...

[Dubstar]

I don't know but I'm about to go and do mine now, so I'll let you know how my gas pipe was. I could be 20 minutes or 2 days!

[Dubstar]

Ok, I've just finished! You're right about the gas connection as mine was all moving too. What I did was put a 13mm spanner on the flats of the elbow connector, and then undid the connector that comes out of the back of the fridge, rather than the pipe into the elbow if that makes sense. That way I could make sure the pipe to the fridge didn't bend. Actually, I used mole grips on the elbow, as it was easier for me but a 13mm spanner also fits. Remember though to unscrew the connector out of the back of the fridge the right way; it screws onto the elbow rather than the elbow screwing into the fridge - ie, turn the spanner anti clockwise. It was also a right pain pulling the flexi hoses out of the fridge vent as well. I had to unscrew the vent, pull it away from the van and then lever out the flexis' with a screwdriver as they have rubber o rings round them and they were a bit tight. Which is good to keep the fumes out but a pain to take the fridge out. One more thing, there is a little flat bracket thing at the back of the vent that seems to hold the flexi pipes in place, that is held in by a 4mm allen key. I took this out as well and I think it helps to hold the pipes in so keep an eye out for that. Also, mine is an early Westy so the later ones may be a little different to this as the fridge is different. 2 screws into each side hold it in place and once I undid these it slid out fairly easily. It sits on wooden "runners" so it'll go back at the correct height and I marked the sides so I can get it in the right place to put the screws back in.
Unfortunately there is a big hole behind it and the cupboard next to the seat, so I will be taking the whole run out to have it welded and rustproofed! Great. That's if I can find a welder, otherwise it'll be P40 fibreglass!!