Fluid in the Speedometer - ???

[scrapman]

My GT has had a small amount of fluid in the bottom of the speedometer for some time. It sits between the glass and the speed numbers. It looks like oil. I took the dash and instruments out today as part of the ongoing snail paced restoration process.
- Any ideas why it has seeped in? I am assuming through the speedo cable.
- I have not yet removed the speedo from the instrument panel so can
anyone tell me it the glass can be removed so I can clean it up and if so
are there any pitfalls to watch out for?
- Is the speedo just toast?
It still worked the last time the car was on the road.

Thanks, Rick

[markandson]

There is no oil in the speedo assembly only a very small amount of grease which is usually dried up by now and causes problems sometimes. If the speedo worked when you put it away and it has not been too damp while in storage to rust anything inside then you may have a chance at it still working. There is a very small needle and plastic type bearing on the end of the indicator needle, sort of like a balance wheel bearing inside of a cheap watch. To get the chrome ring off you have to use some finesse and work a screwdriver around the outside of the ring for about 1/2 an hour. You just keep sliding it around the outside and putting more and more pressure one the ring and it will open up enough to get it off. I use a wallpaper wooden seam roller to crimp it back down after the cleaning and repair is done. You won't believe how new the gauges look after cleaning the fog off the glass. It's real easy to stick the screwdriver into your hand while doing this so be careful.

[namba209]

Juat to add what was said about removing the chrome ring. Be careful pulling on the ring, it may pop off and the glass will hit the floor and break. Not a good thing.

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by scrapman My GT has had a small amount of fluid in the bottom of the speedometer for some time. It sits between the glass and the speed numbers. It looks like oil. I took the dash and instruments out today as part of the ongoing snail paced restoration process. - Any ideas why it has seeped in? I am assuming through the speedo cable. - I have not yet removed the speedo from the instrument panel so can anyone tell me it the glass can be removed so I can clean it up and if so are there any pitfalls to watch out for? - Is the speedo just toast? It still worked the last time the car was on the road. Thanks, Rick

I wonder if maybe your flux capacitor is leaking?

[scrapman]

Thanks guys, based upon your remark having a "small" amount of grease in the speedo tip, I'd have to conclude the dreaded P.O. lube'd the cable with enough 10W to avert the world energy crisis. It had about 1/4 inch of fluid in the bottom of the gauge. I made the mistake of laying the instrument panel flat on its facing when I removed it. The oil pooled in the center of the glass. Quite lovely!
I will however, check the output from the flux capacitor. I had noticed my voltage was down to about 1.18 jigawatts from the standard 1.21.

Thanks, Rick

[markandson]

Originally Posted by scrapman I will however, check the output from the flux capacitor. I had noticed my voltage was down to about 1.18 jigawatts from the standard 1.21. Thanks, Rick

I would be surprised if you had a flux capacitor installed since they were only standard in Delorean Motor Cars and even if you had a Delorean it had to have the "Mr. Fusion" option in order for the capacitor to be present. JMTCW