oil in the stbd cockpit locker

[stwendl]

Recently I noticed Oil int he stbd locker under the AP pump and trim tab pump as seen in my album under the folder "oil"

both pump outlets seem to be "wet" so I am not sure which pump is contributing to the leakage. There is also a oil next to transducer compartment. I assume it has flown and collected there. The amount seems to be a quarter cup by estimate.

Some oil had collected along the hydraulic lines near the pump, which is not necessary and indication the leak is from there. When touching the bottom of the AP pump and the hoses a the trim tab pump it feels "oily". Would expect it to be dry. All hose connections seem to be tight.

Any thoughts? I presume both pump oils have the same color so no indication which is contributing to this leakage. My next step will be drop some blue shop towels under each of the pumps to see if there is any spray/drop pattern.

If you had any of such events before would appreciate any information you could share to keep the fact finding and oil leakage to a minimum.

Your input is much appreciated.

 

[Osprey]

Remove the fill plug located on the helm steering housing . The fluid level should be just up to the bottom of the threads in the housing. If the level is way down then the leak is somewhere in the steering system. I would expect one to have steering issues if the system was down by a 1/4 cup.
The oil used if the steering system (if factory installed) is a pale tan color (OSO 15) which would look essentially clear in small amounts. The oil used in the trim tab system is ATF. Most ATF has color but I have not actually viewed the ATF installed by the factory. The fluid level for the Bennett trim tab pump should be about 1 inch below the top of the reservoir when the tabs are in the fully up(retracted position).

 

[zekeandboone]

Last month I discovered a pool of hyd oil in my stbd locker. I dried it all up and placed small pads of that petroleum soak-up material (highly technical term) Traced it to the front of the autopilot pump. It leaked a LOT worse with the AP on, so I finished out the month in the San Juans without using it. Every morning before start up, I would top off the reservoir on the steering column with a small funnel and some hyd steering fluid. Some mornings it would take a teaspoon or two. A few times it took more. The steering would get kinda squirrelly and notchey ( more tech terms) if it got low.

The good news is, on my way home with it on the trailer, we popped into the factory in Kent where Andrew and Tim swapped the pump and bled the system in an hour.. Headed to the south sound next week and test it out.
Steve

 

[stwendl]

Come to think of it, I recall trimtab oil is pinkish red when I serviced it last time. So it is steering oil after all.

Where does it come from and does it mean the pump is defective? Would explain some jerky steering which I attributed to bubbles in the system.

 

[griervictoria]

I had the same problem recently and the steering fluid was way down in my aft helm. Had things tightened up by Steve at Canoe Cove but after a month of the same issue, oil in the locker under the steering station, I finally had to replace the whole aft helm which was not an inexpensive fix.

 

[Osprey]

The autohelm pump can be isolated from the remainder of the steering system. If the leak stops with the isolation in effect then it is the pump that is defective. Some information I picked up from the very helpful Garmin web site is a follows. The picture shows screws to be adjusted for isolation to be achieved. Note that there a few important cautions.
1. The autohelm pump must NOT be turned on with the isolation valves closed.
2. Turn the screws a couple of turns CW to close and CCW to open the isolation valves BUT do not over torque. When backing off (opening) stop turning as soon as a slight resistance is encountered. Further turning will pull the valves past internal o-rings. The pump will then be ruined.
3. If you decide to remove any hose connections in the system label the hoses port, starboard and return as applies. I found that the Ranger factory did not attach the hoses according the color coding red, green and grey as marked on the hose ends. According to color coding the port and return hose connections at the steering pump and autohelm pump were reversed. Sort of a double error making for a correctly operating system.
4. The Ranger factory hydraulic layout with respect to autohelm connections does not comply with the layout recommended by Garmin. This has been covered in previous threads. While the Ranger method works I changed my system to match Garmin's recommendations. My option but as many would say if it works why fix it?