Temp gauge sender

[Witt]

Now I really done it......while making adjustments on the FIP I broke the cable to the temp sender. It was already very weak and it broke of at the very and towards the sender.
From information gathered on the tech forum I learned that the "cable" is actually a tiny tube filled with stuff and is a sealed unit together with the gauge. I thought it was a ground wire and soldered it together. Of course that was wrong.
Guess I am in the market for the whole assembly !

Question: I am considering installing a electric temp gauge temporarily, mounting it under the dash for now. Has anyone done that before? What sending unit would fit the thread at the head? That information would save me a lot of experimenting. I would have no problem wiring it up, done it few times on other cars.

Again, this would be a temporary fix, I still like to drive the car until I get the proper parts and enough nerve to tackle the job. Reading the instructions on the tech forum this seems to be quite a lengthy and finicky job.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[J. Huber]

Hey Witt, I did the same thing about a year ago while cleaning 35 years of grunge off my IP. Ended up sending it to Palo Alto Speedometer here in Calif. They repaired it for 165 US. Taking it out and putting it back is kind of time-consuming but doable with the help of the Pagoda faithful. Sorry don't know about an electrical gauge.

[badali]

The gauge is the same as alot of sedans frome the early 60's.  I got a working one for $25 from a salvage yard a while back.  The yard didn't know the actual value of the piece and I removed it from the car myself.  Test it with a lighter to see if it moves.

[ja17]

Hello,

I have in an emergency installed temporarily domestic mechanical temp gauges. I get an old original fitting from a bad MB temp gauge (the one around the capillary tube which screws into the block), cut a slot in it so it can be slid around the capillary tube of the new domestic gauge unit and install as usual. Works fine. Make sure the capillart "bulb" on the end of the line of the replacement gauge is not too large a diameter. Hang the gauge under the dash until your new unit arrives or your original is fixed.

Domestic mechanical gauges can be had at places like "Wallmart" for $10

 

[badali]

Here is an ebay listing for a used one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-w113-230sl-280sl-280-sl-Water-Temp-Guage_W0QQitemZ140398239797QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_100?hash=item20b0632035

[Witt]

Hello,

I have in an emergency installed temporarily domestic mechanical temp gauges. I get an old original fitting from a bad MB temp gauge (the one around the capillary tube which screws into the block), cut a slot in it so it can be slid around the capillary tube of the new domestic gauge unit and install as usual. Works fine. Make sure the capillart "bulb" on the end of the line of the replacement gauge is not too large a diameter. Hang the gauge under the dash until your new unit arrives or your original is fixed.

Domestic mechanical gauges can be had at places like "Wallmart" for $10

 

Hi Joe, by "mechanical gauge" I take that you are refering to a non electrical one but one that cosists of a sealed unit, much like the original one, consisting of the gauge, the capillary tube and the pipe or hose connecting the two. That way the coolant will actally travel to the gauge and activate it ?! Am I on the right track?

CHEERS !
WITT !

[Witt]

Here is an ebay listing for a used one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-w113-230sl-280sl-280-sl-Water-Temp-Guage_W0QQitemZ140398239797QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_100?hash=item20b0632035

Thank's, I'll check it out.....

CHEERS !
WITT !

[Witt]

.......still looking for a good used ore a reasonably priced new assembly................

CHEERS !
WITT !

[ja17]

Hello Witt,

Yes, I am referring to the gauge with the capillary tube and gas as "mechanical" as opposed to "electrical. 

Your local Walmart has mechanical temp. gauges for around $12.00 and can be used as a temporary unit. Driving without any gauge at all is very risky! You'll need to cut a vertical slot in your fitting which is on your old unit. This will make it "C" shaped so that you can slip it over the domestic unit's capillary tube to fasten it to the engine.

From what I have read, the fluid inside the mechanical temp. gauges is alcohol. The alcohol, quickly turns to gas and builds pressure in gauge assembly as the engine warms.

[Witt]

Thanks Joe, that seems to be a very good temporary solution.

CHEERS !
WITT !