Refrigerator cools good and then stopped cooling and smells of ammonia what do I need to do to get it cooling again

Is it still working? If you can smell ammonia, I would say that there is a very small leak. Over time, the fridge will lose its efficiency and take longer and longer to cool down. Eventually, it wont cool at all once all the gas has escaped. From what I remember of Dometic fridges, is that they used to supply exchange refrigeration units. You remove the entire refrigeration system and swap it for a new or rebuilt system. It worked out a lot cheaper than buying a new fridge.

Shut it off and get it checked. Ammonia is dangerous as I am sure you are aware. Ammonia smell is an indication of a leaking cooling unit. Time for a new fridge. Sorry.

Make sure your roof vent is not clogged immediately. If you are in a full service park, you should be running on electricity not propane. You don't describe the gasses you are smelling, if it is ammonia, your frig is probably done for.

Ammonia is the primary ingredient in the cooling process. What happens is the ammonia is boiled and then sprayed throug an orfice. The spraying creates the cooling (heat removing) effect. If you are smelling ammonia, your boiler has developed a leak.

You can purchase replacement units to install in your present frig. Some people have success with this. My experience was not so good. I spent about $225.00 plus shipping for a rebuilt unit (with a 'core' charge). I did the work myself. I got about a year out of the rebuilt unit before I simply replaced the frig with a new replacement 3 way Norcold. My new Norcold was much improved over the earlier model and included a ice maker! It was expensive, however, at more than $1300.00. Find sources for replacement cooling units for your "Thetford" refrig at FixYa.com advertisers or through your RV dealer or in the back of travel trailer magazines.

I hope this is NOT your trouble and I hope you find resolution. Thank you for your interest in FixYa.com and please come again.

i suggest u take ur rv ammonia refrigerator to ur rv dealer for a replace.. ammonia leaking can result in serious injuries, in tight places...

Hi,
Sorry to give you the bad news. The ammonia smell is the the refrigerant
leaking out. Dometic uses ammonia that is heated and then condensed to cool. It will all leak out and quit cooling.
The fridge is wrecked. There are shops that rebuild the units. Beings as ammonia is corrosive one must assume there may be other leaks ready to appear. There are RV salvage yards that sell good used units.
Again Sorry for your loss.

You need a new cooling unit. That ammonia smell means that your heating unit is shot, needs to be replaced, and there are a coupla ways to go here.

1) Order up a rebuilt (or new) online, and replace it yourself. (Handyman skill level:fair.) $500.

2) Go to an RV repair shop and have that done $700.00 - $100.00

3) Buy a new fridge. $1000.00 ++

TURN THE REFRIGERATOR OFF AND DO NOT USE!!!!
You have a bad cooling unit. This is the entire assembly on the back of the refrigerator that draws the heat out of the box. You will have to either have the cooling unit replaced or buy a new refrigerator. The cost difference is usually around 200 to 500 depending.

Hope this helps,

Jeff