The dreaded fridge removal!!

Post by **chippieshaun** » 19 Sep 2008, 17:28

Ok , so the idea was to remove the fridge for servicing.
I did have a fear of what i might find.
I now find myself face to face with that fear!!!
The fact that the fridge doesn't work is the least of my problems!!

[IMG]http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/ ... CF3132.jpg[/img]
[IMG]http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/ ... CF3131.jpg[/img]

Now what do i do!!??
Am starting to wish i had bought a T4!
Somebody reassure me that it will be all ok!!!

Post by **Therunner** » 19 Sep 2008, 17:33

Buy a welder and get to work, it'll be OK

Melvin

Post by **Steve P** » 19 Sep 2008, 17:36

We had the same on ours, the look of horror on Steve's face was a picture when he found the holes! We took it into the guy who was also doing the welding for the mot and he fixed it up without any problems.

Post by **Plasticman** » 19 Sep 2008, 19:14

Hmmmm. see what you mean, that cuboard wood is a bit blown and the floor covering is ever so dirty

Oh the rot, well its not that bad, looks fearfull and no doubt about it, you would rather it wasnt there but...as has been said it is not that bad, allways happens round the fridge.
Mike

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 19 Sep 2008, 20:14

And when its done, get some vent covers, plenty of waxoil (or grease) and line the panels to stop condensation forming and saturating the floor. Did mine last year, pain in the ass but, if you have a welder, not too bad a job unless the rot has spread under the plywood sheet that covers the floor. Take the grille vent off and determine how far the rot has extended along the section that disappears behind the units. It's a common problem with Autohomes.

Post by **chippieshaun** » 20 Sep 2008, 09:14

Well , the rot definately seems to have extended behind both of the adjacent cabinets but not underneath the plywood.
Am going to dismantle and remove all cabinets , as necessary today.

I do find it an incredible oversight on behalf of the original designers , re this fridge issue! Were they not aware that these fridges create a lot of condensation? Or the vent grills allow water penetration? Where the hell did they expect all of this water to go??!!
Anyway , 'spilt mik and all of that'!!

I'm no welder but will prepare everything for someone who knows what they are doing!
Funny how a small job can suddenly get a lot bigger!!
Oh , and metalmick8y......I will be sure to clean that dirty floor while i am at it

No doubt , i will be back soon , asking for more advice!
Is good to get some reassurance from a few of you though!
Cheers
Shaun

Post by **Steve P** » 20 Sep 2008, 09:24

This is what Steve found when he started removing our units. The welder who was doing the wheel arches and B Pillars had asked for the units to be taken out.

It had spread all the way along that side due to a leaking on board water tank and the fridge but I won't bore you with any more photos.

Good luck with getting it all sorted. I do agree with what you say about a small job suddenly getting bigger.

Bev

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 20 Sep 2008, 14:24

I occaisonally fit the 3-way fridge but most of the time its out, the vents completely blanked off and a compressor fridge takes its place. OK, no gas option but no rotten floor either and a fridge that is heaps better.

Post by **chippieshaun** » 20 Sep 2008, 16:05

Well i removed the whole lot today , except the wardrobe.
The rot had spread across that whole side and well onto the floor pan at the front end. I wont post any more pics of it because i think they will be disturbing to many of you! (especially autohomes owners!!)
Will try and see welders this week for quotes.

Bev , thanks for posting that pic. It is very reasuring to see that others have been through exactly the same thing (and got through it!!)
Angelo , I can definately see the advantage of the compressor fridge but that gas option is just too valuable for us!! To me it is the difference between being independent or having to rely on campsites for electric hook up.
That is unless i misunderstand what a compressor fridge is?

Well , onwards and upwards , as they say!!
Amazing what damage a fridge can do!

Post by **AngeloEvs** » 20 Sep 2008, 16:14

Compressor only good for leccy hook-up. If we are away without hook-up then in goes the 3-way fridge. All the best with the welding and post a few pics when its all done, Autohomes owners will appreciate that!

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 20 Sep 2008, 16:50

If I needed justification for not fitting as fridge, I think this might just be it.

Even when working out a new layout, I've weighed up the pros and cons of having one and can't justify the space one takes up. I suppose if I had to have one, I'd be inclined to take it out except for a holiday but I've found I can get anything perishable on a daily basis any way. I use instant milk for travelling and can keep beer in a coolbox that runs on the battery when vehicle is going and its still pretty cool some 12 hours later. Even without a fridge its an area prone to rust along seams.

My parents go away every year to Yorkshire in a caravan and they do the same.

Post by **camper** » 20 Sep 2008, 16:58

I had a Devon conversion which had this bad rust problem behind the fridge&side unit.This required removal and chipboard replaced that was blown with damp.I took the unit out and lifted the wooden floor covering.Then angled ginded out all the badly holed&rusted metal and welded in sheet steel cut to shape.I used hammerite paint and when fully dried waxoyled everywhere then replaced the floor covering.The side units where repaired with plywood and refitted.I would say it took a lot of work &hours but the end result was worth it.

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 20 Sep 2008, 17:13

Yup, effectively you've got to 'tank' it.

Post by **mikey9** » 21 Sep 2008, 19:38

Cvv kid said:

.....but I've found I can get anything perishable on a daily basis any way.

You won't want to be going to the Western Isles or North West Highlands (especially over a Sunday) for any length of time then....

Website · Post by **CovKid** » 21 Sep 2008, 22:02

You're right, but I'm quite happy with powdered milk (5 pints) and butter/marge will keep for a few days unrefrigerated. It just (for me) doesn't justify the space it takes up or the condensation it creates!