Hi.
We have had an engineer out 4 times because we can't start our fridge on gas we only get it lit occasionally. Every time they come and try it will ignite.
We do nothing different then the engineer does so where are we going wrong. Anyone got any thoughts or hints on this please?

This is what I told someone on Facebook:

I turn all the gas valves open and run some gas through the pipes to the hob first. Turn gas knob to biggest flame marker and hold it in. On your hands and knees look at the small window located at the bottom rear inside while pressing the ignition button. As the gas reaches the fridge you will see the flame light and extinguish several times. When it stays on release the gas knob. You will see the flame easier if you close the caravan door and keep the outside light out.

Steve

If the fridge isn't staying lit, it may be that the initial (pilot) flame isn't being kept alight long enough for the thermo couple to warm up and trigger the main gas valve to open. The continued pressing of the gas knob is what keeps the pilot going and if it's released too soon the main gas valve won't open and gas won't continue to flow. Thermocouples can go faulty but I would've thought the engineers would have checked that.

Thankyou for the reply.
Once it's lit it stays lit.
We run gas through the hob.

If it just doesn't light, but does eventually then it's probably a mucky gas jet with dead spiders etc. You need to use a vacuum cleaner around the gas nozzles to clean the area up. Gas is obviously reaching the jets as otherwise it wouldn't light at all. Ditto the spark ignition.

As the fridge is now 16 years old the gas burner will be rusted internally which disturbs the gas flow, hence why it's difficult to light.

No amount of vacuuming will make it work efficiently.

Both burner and jet will need replacing and at the same time the burner flue should be cleaned as it will also be rusty and rust particles will fall directly onto the burner.

Thanks to all the replies. We've just been away on 2 separate occasions and made sure the puck was level and each time the fridge has lit so fingers crossed we'll make sure it's always le el!

The level of the van shouldn't make any difference to gas lighting, or gas running. The reason that manufacturers say that absorption fridge equipped vans should be pitched as near level as possible is because being on a wonk (technical term) can stop the refrigerant circulating properly and therefore the fridge won't work. On such occasions the gas will light and burn happily, but the fridge won't get cold. The same problem will occur whichever form of energy is being used to power the fridge.

Thankyou for the reply.
Let's see what happens on our next outing!

That is correct. The gas “ window “ is in the bottom of the fridge. I personally use two kitchen roll tubes joined together. It makes life easier.