It seems as though my temp gauge has bitten the dust. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to fix it before I take it to the local instrument repairer that I go to.

It's a mechanical Smiths Water temp gauge from 30°C to 110°C. It has always underread from new but it always came to the same level (always went to 71° instead of 82° when the thermostat opened). Because it ALWAYS went to the same level and operated normally I got used to it as there was no apparent problem otherwise. One day I went for a drive in my car and it only went to 50°C maximum (it usually gets to 71°) (remember 82° thermostat) and then the next day it wouldn't budge off of 30° (minimum that it reads to).

I didn't work on my car for the week previous to that but, as careful as I try to be around it I probably kinked the line too far etc (some may even say I'm rough as guts ).

So what I want to know is, is there anyway to fix it other than taking it to the local instrument repairer? I realise this is a long shot because I am assuming I have cracked the line and it is no longer pressurised - which is probably something I can't do at home

If worst comes to the worst, has anyone got this done before and know an approximate $$$$$??

Cheers, Nick

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Hey Nick,
Sounds like the Eather has leaked out.
I will fix it, no problem, show you how too!
Dave

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Let us all know, 'cause mine is going the same way

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Too many cars, and too little time.

It would be great if you could fix it for me I'll PM you in a minute and see if I can get some time off and I'll come for a run down to Brissy in the mini

I love learning stuff, thanks Dave! You're a champ.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Ooooooh, this would be a how to I would be interested in...

I hate coughing up the 150 bucks bill to get them working again...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

mine is reading hot after a hard run and a bit of ideling I measured 68deg C on an inferred red sensor, but my guage was showing nearly boiling ( genuine S guage so its a guess) but def reads over half way all the time. Any ideas? I've fitted a New temp sender, and voltage regulator

Cheers Brett

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[quote="Mick"]Ooooooh, this would be a how to I would be interested in!![quote]

Same here

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

I just watched a smiths twin oil/water temp guage go on ebay for nearly scrap value too...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

A while back I found a webpage that showed how to refill a temp gauge. Try Google.

Edit, found it...
http://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge

Just thought I would let everyone know how it went. It went fantastically. I need to get the camera back off the rents to do up a how to but it is coming!

Here is a teaser: (sorry, taken with phone)



Yep that's a saucepan of boiling water and the gauge reads 102°C. Closer than it has ever read!

Because my gauge was so new (only about 2 months old total) there was no break in the actual line itself so Dave had a look at it (after I couldn't see where it was leaking from) and there was a REALLY SUSPECT solder just after the bulb. Dave pulled it apart and resoldered it and it has been working fine since. I will probably do up a how to on the weekend.

Many thanks must go to Dave (sitnlo62) for doing this for me!
He's a great guy and I loved being shown all his mini's and his other mini related gadgets he had there

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina