Confirmed horrifying Tachometer Squeel. Video Included

[mario]

Decided to drive my car into work today on a chilly day (for New Orleans that is) and for the first time I heard the famously terrifying tachometer squeal.  I thought I had a nutria stuck in my fan and this was it's squeal of death!  I noticed the sound coming from behind the tach and the needle was acting funny.  After searching the forum, I am fairly confident that it is the tach/cable.  I just want to say thank you to the incredibly knowledgeable folks on this board for allowing me the opportunity to "self-diagnose" through the search function. 

Since I took a video of the noise this morning, I thought I share it for those of you that are not yet familiar with the sound.  Prepare yourselves and your computer speakers prior to playing the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Z69M2qQTY

[J. Huber]

Hi Mario. Sorry to "hear" of your troubles. Yes it is your tach and/or cable. I had the same exact sound many years back -- and my silver center cap even fell off. My remedy was the best one, I believe: replace both the cable and send the tach to Palo Alto Speedometer in California for a rebuild. I am not sure where you are in the world -- there may be other reputable rebuilders closer to you. The cost when I did it was 130 or so I think.

The bigger challenge is getting it out to refurbish. Plenty on this site about how to do it. Take a yoga class first then go for it. Very doable -- and in the end all you will hear is the purring of your engine (which sounds like its running pretty nicely!)

J

PS now I see New Orleans...California not too far away. Enjoy Mardi Gras!

[WRe]

Hi,
I think that the bearings of speedo and tacho (where the cable goes into the instruments) are dry or worn out. It's a typical problem.
You can try to grease it but if it's to bad it should be renewed.
See also here:  http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Speedo
...WRe

[mario]

Thanks for the replies!  The car is going in for paint at the end of the month, so I'll just add this job to the hours of dismantling I have ahead of me.  I agree with you guys, the best course of action is to renew the cable and refurbish the tach.  I'm familiar with Palo Alto Speedometer from my days of owning a 911.  While I'm in there, I can tackle the finicky rheostat as well.  Thanks again

[mmizesko]

Oh Mario, Oh Mario.

I'm so sorry about your tach problem.  I had the exact same thing happen to me.  First I lubricated the cable.  No impact.  Then replaced the cable, no impact, finally, I  sent the tach to speedometer.com, Rick Borth.  Should be less than $100 to refurb, and you will be thrilled.  The noise is coming from the inside of the tach, and no external lubrication will be effective.

Here's the rule on Pagodas.  If you have to take the instruments out, you should do as much as you can in Preventative maintenance, since it is such a bear to take out the instruments.  new gauge seals, refurb tach and speedo, new cables, replace bulbs (consider LED's) for brightness without heat.

Good Luck.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[KevinC]

Mine makes the sound only when its cold. On a crisp fall morning drive my wife said "don't you here that alarm going off?". She was sort of right.