Thanks for the advice,folks. I will pop it out and try "burping it" and definitely let you all know how it works. I will also try a new set of bubble gauges since the ones on the camper are in the same condition as the camper itself. I was using a level of my own and checking them but since the fridge is the most sensitive I will level it only then go to the outside and readdress the bubble situation. For those of you who have been in touch with me before I'm in Maine on Lil' Sebago Lake now and FISHING my ars off!
Most spec 3° out front to back and 6° side to side.
That's 10" out of level side to side on a 8' truck and 12" out of level front to back on a 20' truck. Basically, if you're comfortable inside, the fridge is OK. It's not OK to leave the fridge running parked on a hill.
The fridge has to be out of level for at least 15 minutes to be a problem. That's why driving isn't an issue, because how often can you go up or down hill without braking or accelerating for 15 minutes steady?
When they go from old age (rather than burning up out of level), they usually fail from corrosion in the boiler (by the burner), corrosion in the evaporator (the cool coils behind the interior, or metal fatigue at a joint from vibration.
Corrosion is worse when the fridges are cycled on and off - that's when condensation will sit for a while. If you're going to be using the camper again in a few weeks and can leave it on, the fridge will last longer than if it's allowed to sit off for that time.
I also tried "burping" the fridge, removed it turned it over, listened to it gurgle, banged (gently!!!) on the coils with a rubber hammer, and was able to get 2 more marginal trips out of it. Then replaced it with a new one, never had any problems. So while burping might be a short term fix, since you already have it out to burp it, if it is cost effective for you, I would recommend replacing it.
I was told by an RV maintenance shop never to start up the fridge when the RV is NOT parked level.
My truck was parked once uphill a steep driveway and the wife started the fridge.
The fridge got messed up real good. Needed to buy a new one. Was 7 years old.
Oh, and btw, these suckers are expensive and could be hassle to install them as well.
We needed to take the camper door (with the frame) right out in order to get the old fridge out and the new one in.
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