Capillary tube repair

[jonbarrett]

I'm told the capillary tube on the water temperature gauge has failed. What are the failure modes and can I fix it myself?

[Ireland]

They are a mechanical gauge, aren't they?

If so, and the capillary tube has been damaged / broken, then it's definitely beyond DIY repair and probably can't be fixed at all.

[hugepiece]

im told the guage and capilliary are one item that cant be seperated, thus you need to replace the lot. Maybe a good time to upgrade to an SPA elec guage? They look really trick and are bound to me more accurate. This is only my list of like to do's for this year.

[jonbarrett]

Where do I findout about these electrical gauges?

[Steve_T]

hugepiece said:

im told the guage and capilliary are one item that cant be seperated, thus you need to replace the lot. Maybe a good time to upgrade to an SPA elec guage? They look really trick and are bound to me more accurate. This is only my list of like to do's for this year.

Yep, you'd need to send the gauge to CAI for repair. The capillary gauge is quite significantly affected by airflow under the bonnet too, when I compare its reading to the alternative system I have in the car.

Steve.

[hugepiece]

jonbarrett said:

Where do I findout about these electrical gauges?

You can buy direct from http://www.spa-uk.co.uk/design/dualgauges.asp

If you do a search under SPA on the cerb forum various people seem to have them, they come with sensors and wiring kits so theoretically should be a doddle as long as the sensors have the same threads etc, otherwise some adaptors will be needed. If yours is busted why not remove the temp sensor and get a bolt matched up to block the whole temporarily?

[hugepiece]

Heres the pic I was looking for, think its on a car belonging to member CERBIE:

Think they look the business!

Edited by hugepiece on Tuesday 26th June 12:40

[morebeanz]

hugepiece said:

Think they look the business!

I would hope so at £240 a piece! I don't know what a refurb would cost, but that seems like a lot to me...

[hugepiece]

morebeanz said:

hugepiece said:

Think they look the business!

I would hope so at £240 a piece! I don't know what a refurb would cost, but that seems like a lot to me...

The SPA site shows this one as 157 quid which albeit expensive isn't TOO bad. Another search showed up speedycables quoting 35 quid repair for a similar fault so maybe worth a call.

[warpig1]

hugepiece said:

Heres the pic I was looking for, think its on a car belonging to member CERBIE:

Think they look the business!

Edited by hugepiece on Tuesday 26th June 12:40

the top guage inbetween the two main clocks is just like the one i've bought,
except mines oil pressure/water temp.(just got to get round to fitting them)
got mine from merlin motorsport for about £175,came as a complete kit,guage,wiring and sender units.

[hugepiece]

warpig1 said:

hugepiece said:

Heres the pic I was looking for, think its on a car belonging to member CERBIE:

Think they look the business!

Edited by hugepiece on Tuesday 26th June 12:40

the top guage inbetween the two main clocks is just like the one i've bought,
except mines oil pressure/water temp.(just got to get round to fitting them)
got mine from merlin motorsport for about £175,came as a complete kit,guage,wiring and sender units.

Do you know if the sensors are a straight swap? or have you not got that far?

[Steve_T]

morebeanz said:

hugepiece said:

Think they look the business!

I would hope so at £240 a piece! I don't know what a refurb would cost, but that seems like a lot to me...

£70-£90 is a typical cost, but the time it takes for the refurb can be a long time.

Steve.

[jonbarrett]

All I really want to do is stop the oil and water pouring out when I remove the pipes. If the oil sensor is electric it should be OK. It's just the water that will be the problem. All I really need to know is what thread is used.

I don't plan driving the car far without the instruments in place but I might need to move it short distances.

I called Speedycables. They quoted prices starting at £40 and 20-working days.

[warpig1]

hugepiece said:

warpig1 said:

hugepiece said:

Heres the pic I was looking for, think its on a car belonging to member CERBIE:

Think they look the business!

Edited by hugepiece on Tuesday 26th June 12:40

the top guage inbetween the two main clocks is just like the one i've bought,
except mines oil pressure/water temp.(just got to get round to fitting them)
got mine from merlin motorsport for about £175,came as a complete kit,guage,wiring and sender units.

Do you know if the sensors are a straight swap? or have you not got that far?

haven't really had time yet to have a good look and bear in mind mines a speed six, although i would have thought tvr would use the same fittings on both engines. going to try and fit the kit sometime before the weekend, if the fitting sizes aren't the same any good motor factors should be able to help.