temp gage not working after removal???

[erickmarciano]

I removed the center cluster to clean the glass and fix a few electrical problems and now the temp gage does not work. what should I look for ? is this gage all mechanical?or is there a electric part to it ?
thanks
Erick

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[isofast]

Hi Eric maybe you can find a new gas bulb from a sedan. You may have lost some or all of the inert gas. If you stick the bulb end in a glass of hot water and the needle on the gauge does not move, my guess is you lost your gas. I hear that it is very hard to refill this gas and a new bulb and gas line gauge is needed. I forgot where, but I read somewhere a guy filled his with gas using dry ice and a very fast and steady soldering iron...sounds near impossible to me but hey I am a teamster not a chemist. :mrgreen: Ernie

First Place AACA Show Winner 350SL July 2003
I love low mile Mercedes.
1969 280 4spd Papyrus White

[ja17]

Hello Erick,
Yes that cable coming out of the temperature guage is a tiny capilary tube filled with gas. If it is bent severely it can fracture and the gas escapes. Some instrument specialists can repair these.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio