Hi all, I have condensation inside the tacho. V8Jagnut has a youtube video on this very issue but he doesn't say precisely how you dry out the tacho or prevent the problem in the first place. Anyone had this problem and got some tips on how to solve it?

Thank you!

P.s. I have a standard set-up Series 1.

 

It's funny you mention this... today I replaced all the screw base light bulbs in all of my gauges (s3 xj6) and then noticed some very slight hazing in the fuel level gauge and the temp gauge. I was just hoping that it was a strange anomoly and that it would go away on its own. I'll check again tomorrow and get back to you. I wonder if it's worth it to put some sort of dessicant packets somewhere close to the gauges?

 

Please do let me know how you get on.

I went looking on other classic car sites and on a Lotus Elan site found this problem discussed. Lotus people suggested riding around for an hour with the gauge lights on to dry it out and then adding one of those packets.

What did owners do though before those packets? And you and I face the same problem on the East Coast: loads of humidity.

My worry with the tacho is that the ignition wire is behind it and I'd feel a right fool if the car stopped because of a bit of moisture.

 

I wonder if this has anything to do with a Heater or Defrost VENT, flap, or hose behind the gauges leaking air, which then gets into the gauges??

I would remove the tach and drive the car sticking my hand through the tach's opening to see if I feel any hot air.

 

Rain forecast for the next two days but this weekend I'll do what you suggest here, Jose. I need to solve the issue. Yesterday I tried the Lotus guys' method of driving with the interior lights on. I'll fire up the car in the garage later and see if it worked, but I think I may already have some electrical interference. Driving yesterday the fuel gauge went to zero when I stopped at a light and went back to 3/4 full as soon as I started driving again. I'll pull out the back lights and check the connections there but I'm wondering if that was a sign that there's an issue up behind the dash, as you suspect.

 

can you remove the speedo and tach by pushing them IN by the edges and turning them at the same time?? At least in Series 3 XJ cars you can do that. I am not sure you can in Series 2 or Series 1.

 

I've never tried it, but, remove the tacho, acess the interior by a removl of any bulb holder. vacuum it out. Mitty vac, engine vac, shop vac, etc for a surce.


Merry Christmas


Carl

 

Quick update: I'm still to try Jose's idea; had to change a fuel pump this weekend.

Pretty sure on Series 1 tacho just twists and pops out. Tomorrow I've to work on the mixture in the carbies but will then take out the car and do Jose's test.

Did the Lotus suggestion and, despite the rain, tacho currently no condensation.

Thanks all!

 

I had a foggy ammeter just recently, no condensation, but a definite "cloudiness" to the glass. Shortly after noticing the change in appearance, it began reading very low, 10 amps or so. I took it to the dealer to check the alternator output and they confirmed that the alternator is OK and the gauge kaput. I suppose the fog was a film from shorting electricals.
The dealer has sent the gauge out for rebuild. Fortunately, they love the "old girls" there as the owner is a collector and they're used to seeing older models roll through the door.

John

 

i had a foggy tacho once, think i ordered it in a restaurant in mexico! lol
I actually have had this happen though, but was the oil pressure gauge!, and was caused by leaky windshield!
As far as i know only the series 3 had the crappy seal design around there, so as to where your water came from i don't know, but i got rid of my fog by removing gauge from car and using wife's hairdryer on it for about 15 mins!!
Its a bit ghetto but it works!

 

The bezel holding the glass on comes off by twisting anti-clockwise, but you need some rubber to grip the bezel. This releases the glass and it can then be dried out. The whole assembly goes in from the front and the glass follows then the bezel.