MTFCA Forum

Williamson’s instruments inc. just sent me the original MotoMeter water temp gauge I sent them a few months back because they can no longer get the gas needed to fix it. It is a lovely gauge but does not work. If Williamson’s can’t do it I am not sure who can.

What substance is used?

Bummer - I was under the impression it was like ether ?

You might be able to replace the end yourself. What I recall reading was to chill (dry ice or liquid nitrogen maybe) the bulb end of the donner part from another temp gauge, so the gas pulls back into the bulb part. Cut the line and using a sleeve solder the two tubes together.
While can't tell you if would give 100% accurate results, it could work.

Reno Speedster wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 18, 2025 9:44 pm

It is a lovely gauge but does not work.

Thought you meant a Motometer radiator cap mount style thermometer.

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 19, 2025 8:59 am

What substance is used?

Red liquid is a colored alcohol. Don’t know the exact composition. Perhaps a Boyce patent document. (Radiator neck mounted MotoMeter.)

MotoMeter remote steering column mount temperature gauge does work off a gas. This is why a picture is worth a “thousand words” to minimize confusion over terminology.

OP is probably referring to one like this below.

There are several types of alcohol and as far as I know, none are banned as of yet. Carbon tertrachloride is now banned or highly restricted.

If Williamson's is located in California, try an instrument shop that is located elsewhere. Some substances are banned in California, but available elsewhere.

It's not a motometer, Dan. Williamson's is in Arkansas.

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 19, 2025 1:07 pm

It's not a motometer, Dan. Williamson's is in Arkansas.

That is what I am thinking. One of the type that mounts in the car on the steering column.

Reno Speedster wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 18, 2025 9:44 pm

Williamson’s instruments inc. just sent me the original MotoMeter water temp gauge I sent them a few months back because they can no longer get the gas needed to fix it. It is a lovely gauge but does not work. If Williamson’s can’t do it I am not sure who can.

A picture of your MotoMeter would help understand your issue. The expectation is that it is a radiator cap mount as opposed to a dash mounted.
The dash mount is a Model S also called a "Red Ball". I don't see the radiator cap mount use gas but the dash/steering mount would
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Might be cheaper to buy a repro APCO if dash mount

"Water temperature gauge" is just what it says - he didn't state "motometer".

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 19, 2025 3:06 pm

"Water temperature gauge" is just what it says - he didn't state "motometer".

But he did.

Sort of Frank - "Motometer" is a brand name !

Sorry fellas, it is an original Boyce MotoMeter brand water temp gauge that goes on the dashboard or steering column. It has a tube that runs from the sensor to the gauge. Here is a picture.

Williamson’s is not in California, so I don’t think that is the issue.

That type of temperature gage uses a capillary type tube. Apparently, the tube has cracked or broken somehow and allowed the pressurized gas to escape rendering the gage unless.

I owned a 1931 Chevrolet back when I was young and it had a capillary type of temperature sensing temperature gage.

The small tube is under internal pressure and has a chemical of unknown composition to me. As the temperature raises, the indicator moves accordingly.

I would try and see if a similar internal mechanism including the tube be located and swapped into your gage.

This system is the type that Nash Motors acquired with the merger of Nash and The Kelvinator Corp. to introduce the Nash Weathereye system. The capillary tube thermometer, along with a water regulating valve, could regulate the internal temperature of the cabin by a setting of the control to the desired temperature. This was the first automobile heating system to do that.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Mike "modeltspaz" Spaziano.

I hate it when something can't be repaired, so it occurred to me to see what AI might offer. Here's the answer I got:
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BC Instruments LLC offers specialized repair and calibration of mechanical and capillary temperature gauges used in automobiles, aircraft, and marine vehicles, with a focus on high-quality work and fast turnaround. Another option is Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts, which provides a rebuild service for temperature gauges from 1930 to 1954, including replacing missing capillary tubes and bulbs, with a cost of $285 plus $13 for shipping within the USA. D&M Restoration also offers comprehensive services, including rebuilding and restoring all types of gauges, including difficult gas-filled temperature gauges, and they work with a wide range of makes and models. John Wolf & Co. Inc. in Willoughby, Ohio, specializes in the restoration of antique automobile and aircraft instruments, including temperature gauges, and provides a free quote for their services.
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Thanks for the leads. I have reached out to some other shops and I will reach out to these.