Helm Oil leak

[Cmjansen]

Quite often I find a bit of oil on the floor under my helm. I have it in for service a few times and the problem has not gone away. I have been told it is due to temperature change and is normal. I have a hard time believing this as none of my vehicles leak oil in my garage. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[baz]

It's quite likely dripping from the helm's hydraulic oil tank that sits immediately behind the wheel. The tank has a black breather/vent screw cap at the top. Maybe tighten this down a bit or it could be the tank is too full. Mine on my late R-25 (Classic) did this and a slight turn on the screw cap stopped it.

 

[zekeandboone]

Mine did it frequently. I would notice a small pool especially after trailering. I'd mop it up and trace it back to the fill cap. A few days later, there it was again. The boat ended up in Des Moines for an autopilot issue. Ivan had the AP fixed in 2 minutes, and soaked a bit of fluid out of the steering fill cap . Haven't noticed any drips since.
Steve

 

[NorthernFocus]

It's caused by a small bit of air trapped in the system, likely in a high spot in the balance line between AP pump and helm, most likely at the pump itself. When the air warms and expands it pushes oil back to the reservoir in the helm. It doesn't affect steering so often doesn't get properly bled out of the system. I figured this out because never had this problem until adding AP this year. The balance line is intended to continuously remove air from the system so should be routed with continuous rise from pump to helm. Which is not easily done.

 

[stwendl]

Happened to me too especially when it was on the trailer and hot weather. I also noticed at one time when on the water and I had to make a sharp turn that I had no steering for a short moment which points to air trapped in the line