O2 gauge and pilot side panel

[milotron]

Hey all,

 

I need to remove the pilot side interior plastic panel on my 81 M20K to repair some cracks and paint it. How does one remove the oxygen gauge without taking the piping out? It looks like the gauge lens/bezel screws on and it can remain in place but mine doesn't want to turn.

Is it supposed to just unscrew and I need to try harder or is there another way to do this?  

 

Thanks!

[anthonydesmet]

Yes, that bezel will unscrew and you will be able to remove your panel keeping the gauge in place and you will not have to tamper with your O2 fittings.

the bezel could have two allen screws in the holes of the bezel that are opposite each other holding the bezel in place so it doesn’t back off.  Mine did not and my bezel would back off sometimes. My hangar neighbor had screws in his going through the panel plastic.

if not yours just might by screwed on tight.  I also had to take a small punch tool and small ball pin hammer to tap mine loose.  Obviously tap up on the right so it unscrews counter clockwise.

 

someone may know if a better tool….but this worked on mine.

[tmo]

Mine just stayed in place; not 100% sure if we needed to remove anything - I seem to recall the Scott connector bezel, maybe? The gauge itself just sits on a riser.

[Warren]

The gage bezel will unscrew.  It is a large diameter with almost nothing to hold on to.  I suggest lining something like a channel lock with duct or fabric tape and carefully turning.  Don't grab too hard and squish it out of round, obviously too loose doesn't work either.  It is even harder to get it started back on when you put the panel back.

Good luck.

[Will.iam]

Sounds like a PIA