problem with steering

[Merganser]

I have a ranger tug R-23 outboard 200 Suzuki engine. When I leave the slip and drive for 10 minutes or so steering works fine. Then after using the steering a bit it quits working 100%. Have to use the kicker motor to get back to dock. When this happens I turn the steering wheel and the motor goes back to center and steering wheel keeps turning. I read where bleeding the lines from the helm down to the motor and did that but still didn't help. Can someone tell me what to try next. Thank you
Gary

 

[BB marine]

Do you have auto pilot? If yes close the isolation valves on the pump. Do not use auto pilot when the valves are closed. Sea trial the boat and see if the steering operates correctly. If it does you have a damaged check valve in the pump.

If you do not have a auto pilot I would suspect air in the system. If you bleed the system manually ( without a pump) I would do it again. It takes quite a bit of time to bleed all the air out by using the helm. I would do it several times capturing the oil in a clean container and then reusing it again by filling the quart bottles.

The question is when did this start. Was the system functioning correctly and then started to fail? If so I would suspect an air leak or oil leak somewhere in the system. I would inspect every fitting joint for leaks from the helm to the cylinder.

 

[Merganser]

Hello Brian
Thank you sooooo much for the information. You were the only one that replied so am thankful for your help. I will get back to you when I have the problem solved. To let you know the outcome. Again ,very much appreciated.
Thank you
Gary