moosebreath Posted October 30, 2017 Report Posted October 30, 2017 The little button gauge on my '97 J model sticks. It is obvious that the scale has come loose inside the case and interferes with the needle. The question is: How in the world do you remove that gauge from the lower console? The console appears to be riveted together. Surely you do not need to drill out those rivets and disassemble the console to get to the gauge. If so, I may just tap it to read properly for a while longer ... Quote
carusoam Posted October 30, 2017 Report Posted October 30, 2017 Radio racks and rivets go together... take a look at a new gauge for sale on line to see if there is a way to release it from the back... it may have a plastic threaded retainer? PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a- Quote
amillet Posted February 23, 2020 Report Posted February 23, 2020 Did you determine how to remove the vacuum gauge? I want to replace mine. It has been placcarded that it reads .75 inches low. The dial face rotates so I don’t know what it truly indicates Quote
FlyBoyM20J Posted February 23, 2020 Report Posted February 23, 2020 My J doesn't even have a vacuum gauge and I'd like one. All I have are the high/low warning lights. Has anyone found a suitable model to add to a J panel? Cliff Quote
Duane Baker Posted February 23, 2020 Report Posted February 23, 2020 My gauge is also suspect, it reads on white/green low side even with a new vacuum pump. On cold mornings the high/low light will come on after it warms up the light goes out. Quote
carusoam Posted February 24, 2020 Report Posted February 24, 2020 18 hours ago, FlyBoyM20J said: My J doesn't even have a vacuum gauge and I'd like one. All I have are the high/low warning lights. Has anyone found a suitable model to add to a J panel? Cliff prior owner added a vac gauge to my 94 panel... the lights don’t tell the story very well... Standard part from aircraft spruce... Oddly, the usual JPI doesn’t handle a vac reading... Going around the vac issue... many are going all electric... Best regards, -a- 1 Quote
moosebreath Posted February 24, 2020 Author Report Posted February 24, 2020 The real mechanics (not my usually reliable hanger elves) noted you can remove just the portion of the console with the vacuum gauge. I replaced it with a new surplus gauge I found online for around $100. I attempted to repair the old gauge and only succeeded in ruining it by bending the pointer shaft whilst removing the pointer. Quote
moosebreath Posted February 25, 2020 Author Report Posted February 25, 2020 I spoke to my mechanic yesterday. He states that you can also remove the mounting screws on the face of the panel and “fish” the gauge out of the hole if there is enough vacuum line attached. Why didn’t I think of that? Quote
steingar Posted February 25, 2020 Report Posted February 25, 2020 Me, I would probably use a faulty gauge as a reason to get rid of the vacuum altogether. Having my life depend on a little pump with an unpredictable life span who's first sign of trouble is complete failure gives me the willies. Quote
PT20J Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 On 10/29/2017 at 5:26 PM, moosebreath said: The little button gauge on my '97 J model sticks. It is obvious that the scale has come loose inside the case and interferes with the needle. The question is: How in the world do you remove that gauge from the lower console? The console appears to be riveted together. Surely you do not need to drill out those rivets and disassemble the console to get to the gauge. If so, I may just tap it to read properly for a while longer ... The side panel on the pilots side of the console is held on with 5 sheet metal screws; two at the top that screw into Adel clamps with Tinnermans and three on the bottom that screw into the nose wheel well. If you take this panel off, you should be able to access everything in the center console. Skip 1 Quote
carusoam Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 7 hours ago, steingar said: Me, I would probably use a faulty gauge as a reason to get rid of the vacuum altogether. Having my life depend on a little pump with an unpredictable life span who's first sign of trouble is complete failure gives me the willies. You have given too much credit to the vacuum pump failure... the gyro slowly winds down for a while making its failure not so obvious... Fortunately, vac pumps have decent predictable life for the first 500 hours... +1 for back-up technologies above the TC level... Second batteries, second AIs, second vac pumps, for flight in IMC... PP thoughts only, -a- Quote
steingar Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 8 hours ago, carusoam said: You have given too much credit to the vacuum pump failure... the gyro slowly winds down for a while making its failure not so obvious... Fortunately, vac pumps have decent predictable life for the first 500 hours... +1 for back-up technologies above the TC level... Second batteries, second AIs, second vac pumps, for flight in IMC... PP thoughts only, -a- Better yet deep six the whole thing and get some glass panel avionics. 1 Quote
carusoam Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 Second batteries... many glass panels seem to bring their own... Second alternators... because we can... some flights are pretty long with no stops in between... Glass displays are showing some pretty good time between failures... failures still exist, so... Second glass display for the same reason... keep training... practicing... and enjoying life. PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... Best regards, -a- Quote
PT20J Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 Got to love Mooneyspace where a question about how to replace a $200 gauge turns into a recommendation to spend tens of thousands on new equipment. Skip 3 Quote
Igor_U Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 7 hours ago, PT20J said: Got to love Mooneyspace where a question about how to replace a $200 gauge turns into a recommendation to spend tens of thousands on new equipment. Skip Yes, Spending other people money is what we do best! Quote
carusoam Posted February 27, 2020 Report Posted February 27, 2020 Would you like a TopProp to go with that? -a- 1 Quote
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