Hydraulic Steering Fluid

[sparky]

Where can we get replacement fluid for the steering? We have wiped enough off the floor of the helmstation to think we should carry a supply.....
:?

 

[j&lgray]

Hi Sparky,
After spending a whole lot time crossing checking the specifications of required by the manufacturer, I found that what West Marine carries, meets all the criteria. I think it costs about $18 a bottle.

Check for the source of your problem because this is not suppose to leak. In my leak, I found that the O-ring in the drain plug (the middle plug in the middle) was bad. The drip was small but consistent. The result was a pooling of liquid on the floor under the wheel. You spot these leaks by shining a flashlight at an angle across the gear housing. Later, I found a small but consistent leak in the front seal that is right behind the wheel and Andrew at the factory took care of that (Again, what service!).

For those of you who have not thought about this issue, open the plug at the top of the helm steer gear and take a look inside. You should see a fluid with a flashlight.

 

[sparky]

Thanks John

Oh, how I wish Andrew was not 3,103 miles away!

I will check West Marine tomorrow. They can order anything, even things not in their catalog. Many of my spare parts have been ordered special by them.

The first time I saw fluid on the floor it looked like cooking oil, but I could not see how it could have traveled from my cooking area to the helm station floor. Then it happened again, and we got wise. One day I was sitting in the aft dinette seat and saw a drip from just beneath the teak on the helm, halfway between the wheel and the radio. That is where the fluid found a path to drip to the floor. While we have not experienced any steering issues yet, the next time we are battling the waves on the Chesapeake is not the time I want to have that experience! :evil:

Thanks again.

 

[tuggin aweigh]

Aviation grade hydraulic fluid will meet the specs for our Raymarine Autopilot. Check your local airport. I traded 2 quarts of hydraulic fluid for a case of Mt. Dew!!

Tuggin Aweigh

 

[bbrh842]

The helm may be simly overfilled. The cap on top of the helm reservoir has an air vent hole in it. If the reservoir is too full, fluid will leak from the air vent. This is more likely to happen when you are running at higher speeds, where the bow is high and the stern is low. Unscrew the cap and look inside the reservoir with a flashlight. The fluid level needs to be about 1/4 inch below the top of the reservoir.

 

[sparky]

Thank you all! What a great group!

 

[wefings]

Hey Sparky , have not been on here much lately but noticed your post . If steering fluid had appeared suddenly in the cabin , you have a leaky helm , hose, or a loose filler cap . It is not normal to lose fluid if everything has been working properly for a while. Look around the back of the helm and the hose connections . If it were overfilled it would have leaked right away . Always a good idea to carry spare steering oil.Hydraulic Jack oil will work in a pinch . If a slowish leak develops on the water ,usually you can refill and have some steerage to get to safety . If it all dumps you are S.O.L. [steering outof luck].
Marc