Uflex helm question

[Cutwater28GG]

So I have a small leak at the fill cap at the outside helm station. I’ve read online that this can be caused by the fill cap not venting air causing pressure to build up.

I also just undid the fill cap slightly at the inside help and got some air bubbling out which I then quickly tightened the fill cap to stop

Should it be possible to undo these fill caps without causing an airlock? I want to make sure what the procedure is to top off the oil before I do something to cause an airlock and a need for a bleed.

What level should I top them up to?

What oil should I use? Sorry I don’t appear to have a manual for the helm.

 

[sgeary]

I had the same issue a year ago and got a technician to check all the fittings.
The tech said I needed to replace the o-ring at the Command Bridge helm station. This is where the leak was coming from.
When that did not stop the problem, I purchased a new, vented fill cap. The vented cap goes at the upper station and the non-vented caps at the lower station(s).
This did not solve the problem, but at least I eliminated the two cheapest options.

I then purchased a new pump and had that installed. That solved the problem. I hope your issue can be solved with the easier options.

I used the Uflex Oil 15 fluid, which is what came in the system. A link to this fluid is at: https://www.amazon.com/uflex-Hydraulic- ... 0742&psc=1

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Interesting thanks. I suspect a vent cap issue. Due to the air coming out when i unscrewed it slightly.

I don’t have an upstairs driving position on a cutwater but the interior one is slightly higher than the cockpit steering wheel

Is there any way to check if a cap is a center one? I’m wondering if neither of mine are vented?

I assume that I shouldn’t have issues unscrewing the cap based on your experience ?

 

[BB marine]

Did this just start happening? Why is the outside helm vented? If it has worked this way without issue ok but I would have the inside helm vented. I believe it is higher than the outside helm and furthest away from the cylinder. The fill point should be the inside helm and vent point Black fill plug vented, silver fill plug non vented located at the outside helm.

The air seems to be trapped at the inside helm highest and furthest away and the fluid is leaking out of the outside helm lower and in-between main helm and cylinder. The fluid level should be to the top of the helm capped and should be part of the closed loop.The main helm should be at a level to allow for expansion of fluid and vented.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Yes it started happening on its own.

I suspect either a failed o ring in the cap at the cockpit helm (lower) or a failure of the vent cap which is causing pressure to build up and push oil out the fill cap.

Excuse my ignorance. Wouldn’t we expect a vented cap at the higher helm to let air pressure out and not oil?

I think both mine are black caps. Will take another look.

To confirm I should fill to just below the top of the cap?

 

[BB marine]

The vented cap is to allow for oil expansion. The fill level is should be about 1/2" below the filler hole. The lower station with a non vented cap the level would be even with the bottom of filler hole. This helm is part of the closed loop. Theoretically there should be no air in the system unless there is a leak. If the lower helm o-ring is bad this could allow air into the system. The vent cap is only for expansion and contraction of the oil so there is equalized pressure (No positive or neg pressures) If a helm is filled to high oil will leak out of the vent hole of the cap when the oil expands. This is normal reaction if the helm oil level is to high. The easy first step of troubleshooting is replace the caps. Vented on the highest helm non vented on the lower helm. Confirm proper oil level at the highest helm. Then try it and see if the leak stops and steering functions properly.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Thanks Brian. Very helpful.