<HTML>I'm trying to get the kidney indicator apart to see if it is just stuck, or if that magnet has no more magnification. Does anyone know how to get these apart, or have a diagram of them??
<HTML>If the shaft is free you can hear it movig if you tilt the gage . if you have the face horizontal see if the pointer has a preferent position if not either the magnet or the pointer or both can be at fault. the bottom flange of the finned tube removing the six slotted bolts will open the main boddy the internal balance arm can now be carefully removed. Usually the internal is either corroded or gummed up depending on wether the condenser was linked up or not. for opening the magnet pocket dont put strain on the finned tube: put the hexagon in a large spanner or vice before applying any torque to the octagon. everything is straightforward
<HTML>Only thing I can add is once youhave removed six bolts holding stem to bottle, and broken the seal, one must be careful to tilt the stem towards the fat part of the bottle while lifting it out. The lead counterweight will clear the hole only if the float ball is nearly touching the bottle wall.
I have found it a good idea to open the magnet chamber and clean it out every couple of years. The magnet tends to collect any rust particles in the water and after a while they restrict the gauge movement. In my car, the dash board hole is so small, it is necessary to unscrew the magnet dial to remove the gauge from the car. The dial won't go through the hole!</HTML>
<HTML>I was able to get the indicator apart today, but the little balls are TOTALLY deteroriated. Any possible supply of these? or does anybody know someone that makes the "guts" to the kidney idicators?
Adam</HTML>
<HTML>The float was solid aluminum, the counter weight solid lead. The aluminum ball was about one inch in diameter. Use enough lead that the ball is half submerged when the shaft is horizontal.
Alternative; buy a two inch diameter stainless steel float from Small Parts Inc. (800-220-4242), part # U-MFX-32. I have had one in my gauge for two years now, it works better than the original but has a smaller range. The gauge goes from stop to stop in less than four inches change in water level rather than about five. Note, the stiffening ribs in many of the bottles are not far enough apart to allow the two inch float to pass.</HTML>
This is normal for the needle to easily be lifted off of it's post. The gauge needle is magnetized like a compass needle with North and South poles. The needle follows the movement of the magnet located on the inside of the kidney gauge. A nonferrous diaphram seperates the float magnet from the magnetized indicator needle.