Need advice. Moisture in gauges.

[yazhound]

I have an '88 3.2 Targa. It has not been in rain in approximately 6mos or so, and is garaged. However, the fuel gauge, replaced since car was in the rain, gets foggy with moisture when the car is first cranked in the mornings.

When last in heavy rain there was some leaking internally on the left side of dash. The windshield seal has since been replaced.

As it has not been exposed to rain, and only very careful washing, it seems any water from leaking should have evaporated through the course of summertime driving? Would appreciate any suggestions or advice. Thanks. yaz

[david dolan]

Originally Posted by yazhound

I have an '88 3.2 Targa. It has not been in rain in approximately 6mos or so, and is garaged. However, the fuel gauge, replaced since car was in the rain, gets foggy with moisture when the car is first cranked in the mornings.

When last in heavy rain there was some leaking internally on the left side of dash. The windshield seal has since been replaced.

As it has not been exposed to rain, and only very careful washing, it seems any water from leaking should have evaporated through the course of summertime driving? Would appreciate any suggestions or advice. Thanks. yaz

See number 87 on this list...

Dr. Pate's "101 Tips for 911 Owners"

bacically, this is a common occurance, I've had it happening for 16 years on my SC.

[Joe Bob]

Nice guy, send him to a thread where the guy asks the same question.....

I have in the past....drilled a small hole on the botom in back..... then put in the sun. An EE major friend added electronic dessicant packs taped over the hole.

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Nice guy, send him to a thread where the guy asks the same question.....

I have in the past....drilled a small hole on the botom in back..... then put in the sun. An EE major friend added electronic dessicant packs taped over the hole.

Thanks! Guess I will save some from packaging materials and get to work. What an odd thing. But you know, I have a 68 912 Coupe, used as daily driver from sub zero weather to the FLA summers and the gauges never fogged...

Question again, could this be related to the AC ? As you might expect, the 68 has none.

yaz

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by david dolan

See number 87 on this list...

Dr. Pate's "101 Tips for 911 Owners"

bacically, this is a common occurance, I've had it happening for 16 years on my SC.

Thanks, while not helpful, at least I feel less frustrated knowing I have company.

[masterdave]

You are in good company both the gauges on my 924s and 911SC have be fogging up for years. You could take them apart, and really dry them out, in the sun on a cool crisp fall day, then put them back together and try to get the best seal you can.

As an EE myself i fully support this move as well

"I have in the past....drilled a small hole on the botom in back..... then put in the sun. An EE major friend added electronic dessicant packs taped over the hole. "

regards
dave

[CharlesJones]

Originally Posted by yazhound

Question again, could this be related to the AC ? As you might expect, the 68 has none.
yaz

I am certain its not the AC. My '84 has exactly the same problem and that has no AC.

[Hugh R]

Its the location of the gauge, many seem to have this problem. Like Joe Bob said.

[oneblueyedog]

Not sure if you read some threads but I did find the answer here many years ago. It happens with a dirt film forming on the inside of the gauge. Some have removed the glass by carefully popping out the gauge, marking the wires, taking out the glass (tweaking the retainer ring with screwdrivers), cleaning it with something that does not leave a film, re- tweaking the retainer ring back on (careful bending the tweaked lip). Then you reinstall it in the dash. I just left it alone as it happens so infrequently in drought plagued Texas. It just looked like the retainer ring is going to get all boogered up and look bad.

[DRACO A5OG]

Check you washer nozzles and wipers are not loose, moisture will intrude if they are.

That will eliminate moisture intrusion then tackle the gauges, most likely they are going to have water residue so simply take the gauges apart at the rim with a small flat head screw driver and use a long socket extension with preferably smooth edge and press the edge down. If you are concours this will scare the shiznet out of you but it will clean up the gauges nicely.

Jim

Search out my El-Wire thread to see the tools and step need to disassemble and assembly the gauges.

[Drisump]

You are most definitely not alone, I've tried a great many things to eliminate this problem but to no avail. No doubt it's partially where I live (on the coast 100 yards from the Pacific) and the fact that I rarely drive the car with the Targa top on, no matter how cold it is. I've even had all gauges out of the car and "baked" above a wood stove for six months. If my car was in many of the climates that the board live in, it wouldn't display any problems either. I did a trip all around California (the Sierras, the coast, the desert) in mid May and it never fogged once despite having the lid off the whole time and the temperatures dipping (near the Sequoias) to 45. There may be a leak somewhere but not enough of one to build up ANY moisture on the floor, and no evidence of one when I had all the gauges out. Most years the car rarely sees rain, this year however whenever I was on a multi day trip, at some point along the way, I got swamped. Good luck with your quest.