water temp gauge

[markberry]

Hi All,
I just fired my Bugeye up after nearly nine years of restoring it! i'll have to get some pictures posted here one of these days; I'm just really bad about taking the time to do it :apologetic:.
anyway, do any of you know of any reasons the water temp gauge wouldn't work after having been carefully stored for the past nine years? is there anything I can check for (short of sending it out for repair)?
thanks in advance!
Mark

 

[HealeyRick]

Drop the bulb end in a pan of boiling water. If you don't get a reading, the only thing I can think of is you have a break in the tube and the ether has leaked out. You do have coolant in the radiator, don't you?

 

[dklawson]

Test it as Rick suggests. If it is dead, it can be repaired. However, the cost of repair often approaches the cost of replacement.

You CAN fix these at home if you are good making small parts and can solder. See the article in the link below. I have used this method to fix about 6 capillary tube gauges. I have two observations/suggestions that deviate from the information in the link. First, if the temperature needle is not sitting on the lower stop peg, send the gauge for professional calibration as more is wrong than a crack in the tubing. Second, if you do undertake the DIY repair, I have found dry ice to be colder, quicker, and cleaner than the salt water / ice bath the author uses for his cold source.

https://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge

 

[markberry]

thanks to both of you for the replies.
after I sent out this thread I did a quick search on the site and found several similar posts, some of which included that article. I also emailed Nisonger asking about their current price to repair these.
mark

 

[Jim_Gruber]

And if you are using / adding ether in any way shape or form. do this outside and away from your garage and LBC. Ether is extremely flammable.

 

[markberry]

And if you are using / adding ether in any way shape or form. do this outside and away from your garage and LBC. Ether is extremely flammable.

Thanks Jim, but I think I'll let a pro do it:fat:.
mark

 

[mdude58]

Just had Nisonger restore mine, as I wanted to keep the original gage face (new ones are a generic style). They did a beautiful job. About $175 with shipping.

 

[markberry]

Just had Nisonger restore mine, as I wanted to keep the original gage face (new ones are a generic style). They did a beautiful job. About $175 with shipping.

Thanks!