garrett376

As you can see below in the image, my gas/oil level gauge has some kind of crud on the inner part of the glass (Plastic?) lens - as though a solvent leaked inside there and it sure looks gross. Does anyone know how to get in there to clean it? Or is this not a possible thing to do without destroying the ring?

I did remove the gauge, and I see that there is an aluminum ring that appears to be pressed over the white plastic casing. I can spin the aluminum ring with a little force, but it appears I'd have to mutilate it to remove it.

Anyone have any tricks, or am I stuck with this ugly & dirty gauge lens?

Rushjob

If you are extremely careful, it is possible to gently lever up the return of the alloy bezel at the back of the gauge to allow its removal. The trick I found was to ensure that the face of the ring is placed on something to prevent it slipping or scratching - I use that rubbery mesh used to line tool drawers or act as a grip for wood when using a router.
Don't try to get the ring to bend through 90 degrees at the first go. I try for about 30 - 45 on the first pass, going all the way round before using a blunt plastic item such as the body of a biro to gently put outward pressure on the bezel in a circular motion bringing it up to 90 degrees at which point it slides off.
It looks to me from the photo that the lens has had it but you may be lucky.
Refitting is a just a reversal - just take your time and gently bend the bezel back over the gauge into position over three or four laps.
I've repaired several bike speedo's & tachos ( made by VDO, just like our cars ) this way so I can't see any reason why you shouldn't succeed with this one.
Have fun!
Andy

John McM

My tachometer had a smokey film on the inside of the glass.

The local VDO shop charged USD 27 to fix it [part of a larger job I had an OPC do].

If you can remove the gauge yourself why not get a professional to repair it, and avoid the chance of botching it? To me the risk/reward at that price isn't worth doing it yourself.

garrett376

I am sad that the lens might be shot.. I was hoping it was something I could just wipe out... but now it sounds like it might be permanent...?

If that's the case, I think I might have to order a new lens and go that route! Thanks for the input John and Andy... I am going to take Andy's route at first to see if I can wipe out the inside...

axl911

I had the same problem. The glass face is two parts. Glass and plastic glued together. The glue between them is separating. You have to remove the lens, peel off the plastic, and clean up all the glue.

----
anthony

garrett376

Thanks anthony, that's going to be my plan to open it up and clean it up. Thanks for letting me know what was actually going on.

Kahdmus

Garrett, good luck and be sure to take pics & post your results!

--Howard

anewbill

I had the same problem with mine a few years ago. As Anthony suggests, I just peeled the plastic part of the lens off and cleaned all of the glue off using "goo gone". Looks as good as new now. Just be very careful prying the ring off and go slow. Good luck!

Arjan B.

Garret, I had this also on the 2 left gauges, Tried to repair that, and on the end got 2 used gauges. Now it's fine again. Open up the glass is almost impossible.

garrett376

Final answer - yes, it's possible! I did it last night and it took about an hour and I managed to do it on our white sofa while watching a movie!!

I will post the pictures as soon as I find out where in the world I placed my digital camera. I seemed to have misplaced it when I was all done. But it was not too hard, and it looks brand new! Success!!

axl911

Congrat... now when you put it back you will notice that the glass lens is not as thick as it once was since you removed the glued in plastic.

What I did was to cut a very thin ring of the plastic part of the lens and put it on top of the glass.

I will make everything fit correctly, and if you make the ring thin enough (1mm), you can't see it once you put everything back together.

---
anthony

garrett376

I bent the black aluminum ring tighter against the gauge to make up for the additional play - and it's vibration free!!! It easily bent back with some pliers coated with tape... but more on that once I find that pesky camera!!!

garrett376

starting point:

garrett376

prying up the black aluminum ring bit by bit, about halfway around and it will soon be raised enough to be removed...

garrett376

here the aluminum ring with the plastic retainer and the lens is removed after prying the ring...