• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.

    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

oil/ H20 temo gauge question

JPSmit

Moderator
Staff member
Silver
Country flag
Online
They are interchangable, but the only thing is, the newer style wont give you a tem, just an approximation. There are a couple places that will rebuild a temp gauge. I've got the info somewhere, I'll try to find it and post if someone else doesn't first.

Bryan
 
I believe the first link is also different in that it uses the "external" lighting. I didn't notice the bulb or its bracket in the picture.

The second gauge auction says it's new. As mentioned, you can have these rebuilt but the cost (last I checked) was around $140 from the various major places that (Nisonger, Palo Alto Speedometer, Moma, and APT (gaugeguys.com)).
 
Now, I didn't know that. Do all the C-N-H type have internal lights?
 
I'm not sure if all C-N-H gauges have internal lighting. However, look at the second (angled) image in the second link. It looks like the bulb boss/tube is visible extending from the back of the gauge. In contrast, the gauge in the first link has the external slots and blue plastic filter visible just behind the bezel.
 
scoutll said:
They are interchangable, but the only thing is, the newer style wont give you a tem, just an approximation. There are a couple places that will rebuild a temp gauge. I've got the info somewhere, I'll try to find it and post if someone else doesn't first.

Bryan

Bryan, just another of quick questions

1) are they interchangeable at both ends? for a 1500 engine?

2) they are completely mechanical right? which is to say that if I put the end in a boiling cup of water and nothing happens - it's dead right?
 
It should fit all engines. I'm not that familiar with the 1500 though. The hook up location was different through the years. Some in the radiator and some in the block.

If you put the end in boiling water, the needle should start moving up within a couple seconds. Thats another good way to tell if it is accurate, or to figure out where on the CNH gauge 190 is. If you use a cooking thermometer to find out the actual temp of the water, you can find out how close the gauge is.

Bryan
 
John-Peter, on various web sites for Triumphs I've seen a spacer/adapter bushing used when the mechanical temperature gauge is used. A 1500 Midget should require the same. Mini Mania sells the adapters. If you need one, PM me and I'll look up the adapter part number.

In response to your second question, yes a working gauge should move towards the "H" end of the scale when the bulb is placed in boiling water. If it doesn't the gauge needs repair. If the needle is at rest horizontally to the left (when cold) the gauge can be rebuilt, if the needle is stuck at some position other than horizontal to the left (when cold) some extensive calibration work is required in addition to the repair.

If only the bulb needs replacing you can do it using the method shown on this page:
https://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge
 
Update: Maybe the DCO inadvertently loosened the glass when he installed the gauge and dash pinning the needle against the glass - or something like that. Here's what happened, I took out the gauge this afternoon, as I was doing, the chrome ring fell off. Got it out, tested it and it worked perfectly. Figured out where boiling was, and reinstalled. Haven't tested it yet (see my post about having the fire dept. over) But, I retested every step and it's working.

So, children, what have we learned today.

1. test gauges before you install them
2. test with boiling water to benchmark
3. don't reinstall your interior or hood until you know everything works. I haven't so I can get under the dash easily.
4. this board is full of people (like Kim - regularman) who are available and eager to help and that's what makes it so terrific.

thanks all
 
Back
Top