New Dometic Recall Initiated March 11, 2008
Thanks to the members who have provided info on this new one. Dometic has a new recall for refrigerators made between June 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006. Many of these are the same models as w...
Forum Discussion
IMO rebuilt cooling cores can be as good as, or even better than the original. It all depends on the commitment of the re-builder to produce a quality product. If they are simply identifying holes, welding them up, and re-charging, then the unit is inferior and will most likely fail within the 1st couple of years. If they are completely replacing the tubes inside the foam pack, and, in the case of these recall units, replacing the entire boiler with thicker material, AND have well trained conscientious employees performing the work, then I might consider it superior to a new core. The problem is, it's hard (if not impossible) to know which (if any) remanufacturers are doing a good job. In addition, things have a way of changing (quality workers are replaced with unskilled / untrained workers, management substitutes cheaper materials, etc....). Hhhmmmmm, I wonder if any of this sounds familiar to some of the original equipment manufacturers?
Another thing to consider is cost. If they really do produce a superior unit, then the cost would most likely rival or exceed new. If I had the time to personally tour the factory, talk to the employees, and I was satisfied by what I saw and heard, then maybe I would consider rebuilt. Obviously that's not going to happen, so all things considered, I would probably just spend the extra ~$200 and purchase a new core. For that matter, if I were going to spend that much, why not just spend another ~$300 and get a whole new refer installed with a 3 year warranty?
I hate rewarding anybody that demonstrates poor customer support, but IMO there's not a lot of good alternate choices currently available. Considering the staggering cost of such a large scale recall, I think it's safe to assume Dometic is finally taking this quality issue very seriously. If I went with a new core, the only thing I would worry about is getting one that's been sitting in a warehouse somewhere. I would certainly try to verify it has a recent manufacture date before spending my money. In addition, I would also get rid of the old heating element and replace it with the latest one recommended by Dometic.
For what it's worth, I used to purchase and install about 10 - 20 rebuilt cooling cores every year from a "reputable" remanufacturer. I had very good luck with them for about 7 years. Sometime around 2000 I started noticing quality problems (fit problems mostly). There were also a few times I noticed questionable welds, bent pipes, etc. Sometime around 2002, and a very high percentage of these units (less than 2 years old) started failing and coming back. After eating several of these and doing several more at cost I had enough. I decided from that point on I would only recommend new cores or complete refer replacements. I know my experience could have just been an isolated case, but my reputation is too important to put at unnecessary risk. Unfortunately, the option to purchase quality anything in today's market is becoming rare. I have my opinions, but admit it's really just a******shoot, so go with your gut. As Dirty Harry would say "Do you feel lucky?" "Well, do ya?"..............Tim
Another thing to consider is cost. If they really do produce a superior unit, then the cost would most likely rival or exceed new. If I had the time to personally tour the factory, talk to the employees, and I was satisfied by what I saw and heard, then maybe I would consider rebuilt. Obviously that's not going to happen, so all things considered, I would probably just spend the extra ~$200 and purchase a new core. For that matter, if I were going to spend that much, why not just spend another ~$300 and get a whole new refer installed with a 3 year warranty?
I hate rewarding anybody that demonstrates poor customer support, but IMO there's not a lot of good alternate choices currently available. Considering the staggering cost of such a large scale recall, I think it's safe to assume Dometic is finally taking this quality issue very seriously. If I went with a new core, the only thing I would worry about is getting one that's been sitting in a warehouse somewhere. I would certainly try to verify it has a recent manufacture date before spending my money. In addition, I would also get rid of the old heating element and replace it with the latest one recommended by Dometic.
For what it's worth, I used to purchase and install about 10 - 20 rebuilt cooling cores every year from a "reputable" remanufacturer. I had very good luck with them for about 7 years. Sometime around 2000 I started noticing quality problems (fit problems mostly). There were also a few times I noticed questionable welds, bent pipes, etc. Sometime around 2002, and a very high percentage of these units (less than 2 years old) started failing and coming back. After eating several of these and doing several more at cost I had enough. I decided from that point on I would only recommend new cores or complete refer replacements. I know my experience could have just been an isolated case, but my reputation is too important to put at unnecessary risk. Unfortunately, the option to purchase quality anything in today's market is becoming rare. I have my opinions, but admit it's really just a******shoot, so go with your gut. As Dirty Harry would say "Do you feel lucky?" "Well, do ya?"..............Tim
