2nd Generation refrigerator vent leak fix

[War Eagle]

Speaking for our 2017 21', when Reace visited a couple months back to replace the bathroom water hoses, he also re-sealed the refrigerator vent area including dabbing ProFlex over all the screw heads holding the vent frame in place. So I imagine they are doing the same for all new units as part of the factory build. Perhaps someone who has picked up their 19' in the last couple months can verify.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Escapist

We are about to sign off on a new 19' unit with the 6 cu ft fridge. Is any one aware if ETI is using the fix found by Czappfe in May? Hatch date is January 2, 2018.

Email ETI and ask Reace.

[Defenestrator]

I picked up mine in August. The screws are sort of partially sealed from a bead of silicone around the edge. Not explicitly sealed that I could tell, though.

Aside from the silicone around the edges, the lip of my vent is slightly lower than the "shelf" the fridge sits on rather than higher. That might help keep water from pooling in there in the first place.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Defenestrator

I picked up mine in August. The screws are sort of partially sealed from a bead of silicone around the edge. Not explicitly sealed that I could tell, though. Aside from the silicone around the edges, the lip of my vent is slightly lower than the "shelf" the fridge sits on rather than higher. That might help keep water from pooling in there in the first place.

Interesting. I wonder if ETI has intentionally lowered the cut-out for the vent frame an inch or so to now locate the bottom of the vent frame lower than the base of the fridge pan. That should not only help keep water out but should also help any leaking propane to escape to the outside easier, too. How about it, recent owners (completion within the past two months or so)? Are all new constructions looking like this?

[caddoster]

We also picked up in August and ours look like that too, also the vent door knobs are on the upper portion of the door?

[cpaharley2008]

Yes it appears an entirely new lower refer vent cover. Can not stop progress....

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by caddoster

We also picked up in August and ours look like that too, also the vent door knobs are on the upper portion of the door?

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Yes it appears an entirely new lower refer vent cover. Can not stop progress....

This appears to be the Norcold vent which has been mentioned in earlier discussions:

sidewall vent cover lost on highway
RMD Exhaust Flue (post #180)

At least for the 17', it is the 620505PW (6-3/16" x 17-13/16" cutout, Polar White), but this vent on the 19' (and according to Tom in post #75, all other models) appears to be taller... probably the 621156PW (21-1/2" x 13-3/4" cutout, 24-1/4" x 16-1/2", Polar White). This Norcold may be on all current models, but in post #59, Karen and Ken show a different (presumably Dometic) vent on their 2017 19'.

[cpaharley2008]

As Brian points out, I believe Escape installed the Dometic vent in the late 2016 and early 2017 2nd G units with the stock 5cuft refrigerator and perhaps the larger 6cuft in the 21 and 5.0TA. It now appears that due to the water intrusion issues these models may have, they are now using the Norcold vent cover and the installation seems different as well to address those issues. Since caulking and installing Widget Works little awning, I have not had any issues.

[Vermilye]

Here is a photo of a mid August, 2017 21: