C-28 UFLEX Steering Pump Leaking

bails023

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
46
Fluid Motion Model
R-21 EC
Hull Identification Number
FMLC2815H314
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Cutwater 28
Vessel Name
First & Last
MMSI Number
338167347
I have a 2014 C-28 and since the boat was new it has had steering/auto pilot issues. Pocket Yachts and Garmin have been great with auto pilot parts, valves and many, many "bleedings" but this year, a different problem.

I have been slowly losing steering fluid long after all the other work was done and fittings checked and checked again. Now i have found that I am losing steering fluid from the UFLEX steering pump. I discovered steering fluid in the head along the bulkhead even with the dashboard. The rear of the pump (easily visible behind the head mirror) where the three connectors are is dry, no fluid at the pump back or around any of the three fittings. Must be coming from the plastic pump body itself where it meets the front of the helm "dashboard".

Has anyone had a similar problem or replaced the UFLEX pump? Thanks.
 
You might also want to check where the fill hose connects. Mine had hardened over time and started leaking. Replaced the hose (a bear getting it off the connector, but a little heat helped) and no more leaking.

Good luck.
 
Sounds like a similar problem I had with the helm pump. There are 2 haves to the pump, a front half that mounts to the dash and the half that goes through the dash. Mine was leaking between the haves of the pump and the whole back side of the dash wood was stained with oil. I call UFlex and they said the pump needed to be replaced. They sent me a new pump for 1/2 price $250 since the boat was only 2 years old. I did the work myself, however with an auto pilot that complicates the purging of air from the system, as you already know. I am sure Pocket Yacht can help.

Good luck!
 
There are six screws that hold the pump halves together. They can loosen over time. Take the four nuts off that mount the helm to the bulkhead. Pull the pump aft and you will see them. They are Allen wrenches. Very tight access. I cut off an Allen wrench to get it to fit. This may work. It did on mine and a friend of mines.

A lot easier and cheaper than replacing the pump.

Good luck!
 
Thanks to all.

Invictus - tried your fix this morning. Great instructions and yes, it is tight.
'
Of course I (we) now have "another" tool specifically modified for the boat what we hope to never need again.

Fingers crossed.
 
No joy - still leaking.

See current posts below.

Clearly a UFlEX design issue.

I called UFLEX but don't expect any help for my 2014 boat.
 
Sorry the screw tightening didn’t work out. Looks like a new pump is necessary as I was advised by UFlex. The pump change out is easy. You will need a simple wheel puller for the helm wheel, but the rest of the job except for bleeding air from the system is straight forward since you have an autopilot. UFlex has has a manual procedure on their website for bleeding you can try, however a pressure bleeder is best. Also you will need a buddy to help.

Good luck.
 
Does bleeding require any special tools?
 
For basic bleeding you need a filler tube and a quart of steering fluid #15. Both of these can be obtained at West Marine. At WM the filler tube is a Seastar and the #15 steering fluid is Uflex. I believe Seastar and Ufles are now the same company. Also wrenches to open/close the bleed valves, I forget the size. I also purchased a plastic tube that fits tight over the bleed valves on the steering cylinder so when the valve was open the fluid was drained into a container rather than drip in the bilge. In addition the steering cylinder on my 25 was extremely hard to get to the bleed valve closest to the starboard side. If yours is the same don't give up just keep trying to use a different style wrench and try to approach the valve from both sides. I found that attaching the tube to collect the fluid from bleeding was doable from port and opening and closing the valve from starboard.

Go to uflexusa.com and you will find the installation & owners manual which will give you the bleeding procedure. The instructions will also come with the new pump, but if you want to get a start thinking about the procedure for bleeding go to the website.

Good luck and ware a long sleve shirt to avoid messing up your arms... Dick
 
I installed the Garmin Check valve available from Ranger Tugs this last winter. Because I wanted to complete the job myself in my garage and didn’t want to have to mess with capturing fluid from the steering ram I bought the following.

https://outboardst.com/product/bubble-p ... EsQAvD_BwE

This solution really works well for manual steering and gives a great visual of the bubbles moving through the system without any mess. The only issue I had was getting the bubbles out of the Autopilot pump without a power bleeder (like that that Fluid Motion uses). I had to turn on the auto-pilot, set it to steer one way and then manually force the steering wheel the other way. This forced the air out of the pump and through the bubble purge lines. All was good after that! Have since been to mid BC and back with no issues! Love the Garmin check valve and the Bubble Purge Pro! (I have no relationship with them. It just worked well for me and saved me a trip to a Garmin service center with a power bleeder).

Curt
 
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