Water inside pressure gauge

[Keith S]

I was cleaning my Billy's valve-gear and water must have made its way into the gauge when it was upside-down. There's now water inside the glass up to about the hub of the needle. Will it still work, or is it ruined? I've never seen water in there before. I presume the symphony is meant to keep it out, but I guess turning it upside-down without making sure the boiler was totally empty was a mistake. Does anyone know if I need a new gauge, or maybe there's a way to get the water out?

[tom_tom_go]

Turning it upside down should not cause this so I would of thought the diaphragm inside the gauge has gone.

Is this an original RH pressure gauge?

[LNR]

As Tom has suggested the bourdon tube may have leaked, but I think a more likely cause is water getting on the back of the gauge and wicking its way inside, presuming that the gauge worked before the cleaning operation. If you remove the gauge you will find a small screw on the rear side, undo that and while holding the glass with a finger keeping it and the innards in the gauge body, gently ease the outer brass case ring off. The water should then be free to drip out. Would advise some time spent in a warm place to thoroughly dry the inside of the housing and works. It's a good reason why I never turn my locos upside down unless absolutely necessary.
Grant.
PS there is a white spacer ring between the glass and the dial face.

[Keith S]

Thanks for the advice. Weirdly, I turned the loco upside-down again (I was installing a set of combination levers I bought at the Peterborough show) and the water is gone now. I'm going to fire the engine up tomorrow and see what happens. Hopefully the gauge still works. I will report once I find out what happens. Might have been a false alarm.

[LNR]

Keith, hope this catches you in time, I just checked a spare Roundhouse gauge I have, and there is no need to undo the screws at the back of the gauge. Holding the glass as mentioned, the outer case just eases off. Don't know which gauge I was getting confused with, I do have a few.
Maybe just plain getting confused!! Sorry for misleading you.
Grant.

[Keith S]

Thanks! I'll let you know how it turns out. The water seems to have mysteriously disappeared.

[TonyW]

... there is no need to undo the screws at the back of the gauge. Holding the glass as mentioned, the outer case just eases off. Don't know which gauge I was getting confused with, I do have a few.

Older gauges used to have a screw either side of the dial that held the cover in place, but the newer ones just rely on friction, as you said. The two screws on the back, of course, hold the internal gubbins in place.

[tom_tom_go]

Out of interest, how do others completely empty boilers of water if you do not turn your loco(s) upside down?

Using a syringe does not get all the water out from my experience.

[LNR]

I steam so regularly that I wedge my boilers ( filled to the top, no air ). Only give them a flush every couple of months. I do however use medical quality pure water always.
Grant.