refridgerator hot plastic smell

[Scott Rafuse]

My son has a 2003 Skyline Aljo trailer with a brand new Dometic DM2652 refridgerator installed 5/08. We just purchased it in August, and just verified that the recent recall is complied with. What we have is a smell that resembles hot plactic when it's running. I don't think it's has been used much since new as the blue tape holding the racks and crisper drawers was still in place when we bought it. Could this smell be just new use type of smell ie paint burn off from heating etc

Thanks Scott

[Scott Rafuse]

My son has a 2003 Skyline Aljo trailer with a brand new Dometic DM2652 refridgerator installed 5/08. We just purchased it in August, and just verified that the recent recall is complied with. What we have is a smell that resembles hot plactic when it's running. I don't think it's has been used much since new as the blue tape holding the racks and crisper drawers was still in place when we bought it. Could this smell be just new use type of smell ie paint burn off from heating etc

Thanks Scott

[Randy the sly old fox]

Yes it could be that new refer smell - however if that were the case you would notice it when the unit is off as well and the cure would be to leave the doors open when not in use to air it out. Since the heating elements and the actual refer works are external and vented there should be no oders inside the TT. I am not sure what would happen if the vents were blocked - and that might be a good starting point.

[Ray,IN]

The only thing that can possibly get hot inside a refrigerator is the light bulb and it's switch. When you quickly open the frig, is the bulb or switch hot to touch? If not, then it's not staying powered when the door is closed.

That leaves the exterior items, the heat strip around door shouldn't get hot(12V), they are designed to just stay warm enough to prevent moisture accumulation around the door gaskets.
Have you removed the exterior access door and looked around for anything warped or melted near the heat tube?

[Scott Rafuse]

Hi Guys

sorry I wasn't more specific with my problem. The smell of hot plastic is only on the outside of the trailer. I let the refer run all night yesterday and we still had the smell at the roof vent in the morning. We are going to try to slide the unit out and see if we can see anything.

Will let you know what we find

[Ray,IN]

If you remove the outside access door/panel. You should be able to view every component from bottom to top (rear view) of the refrigerator with a mirror and strong light. I don't think removing the unit from it's opening will gain anything.

[Scott Rafuse]

Ok Ray,

I'll that a try, sounds much easier

[Scott Rafuse]

Just a follow up on my hot plastic smell. I did as Ray suggested and checked everything out with a mirror and flashlight. Everything looked good as far as lack of melted plastic or obstructions. I noticed a little bit of insulation that surrounds the burner flu was poking out from around the casing holding the flu. I took a small piece and held a match to it and the smell was the same as the hot plastic smell I have been experiencing. I then noticed that the burner flame was not quite centered under the flu. After talking with Dometic customer service they confirmed this was wrong. I adjusted the burner tube so the flame was centered and all is well.

Thanks to all who responded with ideas.