[C320-list] Steering compass : Problem!

[James Harkness]

On my previous trip to the boat - around a month ago - I was irritated 
to find a bubble of air had appeared in our main steering compass but 
did nothing about it. Mainly because I had no idea how to tackle this 
one and have always thought compasses are not for DIY lists and need a 
specialist.
This time when I arrived at the boat (last week)  I was a whole lot more 
irritated when I discovered that ALL the damping fluid in the compass 
dome had leaked out. Some of had oozed from the rubber seal on the 
compass assembly and down the outside of the pedestal and the remainder 
found a passage down inside the pedestal over the steering gear and into 
its fibreglass cover in the aft cabin where it was pooled. I didn't 
discover this bit until after some vigorous sailing it started leaking 
out of the cover and onto the bedding - I promise you its not nice stuff 
to sleep with!!

I've now got two problems:
1. How do I get the compass off so I can take it to my local compass 
repairer ? At the moment I can't find a way into the assembly at all and 
I'm very reluctant to employ much force without understanding  how it 
all fits together. Couldn't find much in the Owner's Manual
2. What is the liquid inside these instruments and (more importantly) is 
it corrosive, toxic or otherwise harmful to people (or my boat's 
machinery) ?

Any thought or info gratefully received

Jim Harkness
Simia  #303  (1996)