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Engine Temp Guage

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Tullamore

Tullamore

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The only guage that doesn't work on my car is the engine temp (I would assume the engine doesn't overheat) but I would really like to know what is going on, especially since I am planning on only using an electric radiator fan.

Anyways, I am not familiar with this type of guage, is it probably the guage, a broken [hose, pipe, wire, whatever that things is that is connecting it to the sensor] or is it likely to be a transmitter (is there one)

On a 69 Sprite MKIV
Thanks
 
99% of the time it is the capilary tube that lost it's *stuff*. I think it's some kind of ether, at least it smells like it when the tube or end bulb springs a leak.
And if you can smell it, you know it just cost you becuse the gauges are not cheap.
Nisonger.com can rebuild it, as do some other specialists in the Brit car market. New ones often show up on Ebay.
Someone may have a good used one too.
A simple test is to heat the bulb with a match, the temp should rise. If you burn your finger with the match, you held it on too long.

Frank
 
Hi Tullamore ,
your temp gauge is more than likely a mechanical type. if the pipe and it is a pipe not a wire, is broken, kinked, mangled, or cut anywhere. it is NFG.

The good new is they can be rebuilt . Nisonger? i believe does that. someone here can probaly tell you more about it than i.

the pipe connects to the engine, near the thermo housing toward the front of the engine and runs thru the firewall to the gauge.

Good Luck
mark
 
Has anyone ever put an aftermarket one in ?? I looked @ nisonger's site and it had no prices -- but it sure sounds expensive. (Obviously, I'm not a purist).

Luckily mine still works (at least for now) -- but I'm curious if any other type would work (all over JC Whitney).

Tx-

Geo Zeck
 
Most any capillary tube type or electric sending unit type temp gauge will work.
I used to have a Sprite dual gauge in my Ford.
Most if not all of the engine/radiator ends are the same thread. Do watch the length of the bulb as it may be too long.
They do sell spacers.adaptors for this at most El-cheapo auto parts stores
 
Any aftermarket mechanical temp gauge will work. You may have to devise an adapter to mate it to the head or radiator, wherever the bulb is currently installed.
One feature of the stock gauge is that it is a dual unit, which is probably why the things cost so much to replace.
VB shows a new one for $143.
Jeff
 
[ QUOTE ]
your temp gauge is more than likely a mechanical type. if the pipe and it is a pipe not a wire, is broken, kinked, mangled, or cut anywhere. it is NFG.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, it is mechanical and is a pipe. It also DOES have a lot of kinks and bends in it. So I guess I have to thread that whole thing out and get it repaired?
 
yep...it is flexible but any kinks are a bad sign. when reinstalling, it my be Carefully bent to fit. a brake line bender works well.


mark
 
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