[C320-list] Steering compass : Problem!

[WindSwept]

Jim,

I see someone already responded with where to find information on removing 
the compass.  The same thing happened to me a numbers of years ago.  I had 
to send the compass back to the manufacturer to have a rubber part replaced 
and get it refilled with oil.  I wish I had been smart enough to remove the 
compass when the first bubble appeared.  It only gets worse from there.

Larry
WindSwept C320 #246
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Harkness" <james.harkness at which.net>
To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 3:34 AM
Subject: [C320-list] Steering compass : Problem!


> 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)
>
>
>