Ultraflex steering fluid seeping from pump

V

Vance1965

Active member
Joined
May 12, 2020
Messages
41
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
Jellyfish
Has anyone had issues with steering fluid leaking from the back of the pump at the helm? I have a 2015 R27 with a slow leak of steering fluid. I have tried to tighten up the fittings but they won't budge. Also tried to tighten up the Allen's that hold the back of the pump on. I haven't been able to find much of an exploded diagram on how or where a gasket might be to replace. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Vance
 
On my 2015, the upper helm had a similar leak.
I replaced the small rubber gasket on the cap at the fill port. The original gasket was weather checked.
You could also just replace the whole cap for about $10.
If it is an upper station, or the only station, the cap will be vented. It is designed to allow fluid to vent when heat causes too much expansion. The vented cap is Uflex part #40801N.
 
I too had that exact problem with the primary helm but the seepage went into an unseen void so we could not easily find the source. Ours is a 2015 29s so maybe it is not too uncommon for that year. Replaced the pump.
 
Thank you for the advice! As far as the gasket on the plug I did look into that and it sounds like I have a sealed plug. Also found some information on changing it to vented as you suggested. Sounds like pressure builds inside the cylinder and it can push out the lightweight oil through the seals. Not sure if it's a design flaw but I think I'll try changing my plug to vented and see if it fixes the problem. Mine too is very difficult to pinpoint as far as where it's leaking. I actually wrapped individual pieces of paper towel around all the joints to see if I could detect where there is seepage. Very frustrating. However I don't feel that I will have steering failure it's just annoying.
 
I had a similar problem. Turned out to be between the 2 haves of the pump where it mounts to the panel. Called Uflex and they told me the pump needed to be replaced. Since the boat was less than 3 years old they sent me a new one at 1/2 price. They cost $500 to $600. On mine the back of the panel wood showed oil penetration up to the level of the pump. I believe the original pump was leaking from when it was installed. Check the panel wood and if it is darker on the lower part you may have the same problem. The pump was easy to replace. You will need a wheel puller and help bleeding the air out of the steering system.

Good luck
 
2015 must have been a bad year for the helm steering unit from Uflex. I have a 2015 Cutwater 26 that has been leaking fluid since I bought it used in 2017. I keep a squirt bottle of power steering fluid in the cup holder at the helm so I can top it off when the steering goes bad (unresponsive). I had the shop at my marina (West Sound Orcas) try to find the leak but they never could find it or any sign of a leak all the way back to the rudder. Paper towels placed under the rear of the helm unit (behind mirror in bathroom / head) never had any sign of oil so we thought the leak must be somewhere else. But just this season we noticed oil in the shower floor and couldn't see any trail of how it was getting there. Turns out there is a seam in the fiberglass panel wall of shower and it must have separated over time, letting that fluid drip down. So now I will pull out the Uflex helm unit and replace. Hopefully that resolves the issue.
 
I have a 2015 R27 with a leak behind the helm. Did you replace the pump yourself? If so how difficult was the change out. I'm debating whether I should try it myself or take it in.

Thanks ,
Vance
 
Vance,

The pump is easy to remove and replace. Just remove the 2 hydraulic hoses from the rear of the pump (place rags under the pump to absorb any oil drippage), remove the steering wheel (you will need a small wheel puller after removing the nut), and then remove the bolts holding the pump to the panel. Install the new pump in reverse order.

The next steps will require 2 people if you are using the bleeding procedure outlined in the instructions provided with the new pump; 1 at the helm and 1 at the hydraulic cylinder connected to the rudder in the stern. The manual bleeding procedure works well. My experience after performing the procedure on 2 boats, provides complete air removal from the steering system.

This last step is the hardest part of installing the new pump due to the location of the hydraulic cylinder. There are 2 bleeding valves, one is easily accessible and the other is a challenge. This is assuming your 27 is configured like my 25. It took me awhile to figure out how to open and close the one bleed valve, I eventually accessed the valve from the starboard lazarette. I would suggest you goggle the pump bleeding procedure, familiarize yourself with it and then look at your cylinder installation and determine if you are comfortable doing the job.

Good luck… Dick
 
Thank you Dick. I feel I'm up to doing it but was nervous about the fluid in the lines draining all over in the boat. Sounds like that isn't much of an issue. I'll need to take a look at the rear cylinder at the rudder. At least now I know roughly what I'm looking for. Thanks again for the run through.
 
Vance, the hoses will not leak fluid when disconnected. Small drips from the connection is all you will be dealing with has been my experience with both the Ultraflex and Seastar systems I have worked on... Dick
 
MsChief":11rg80p4 said:
2015 must have been a bad year for the helm steering unit from Uflex. I have a 2015 Cutwater 26 that has been leaking fluid since I bought it used in 2017. I keep a squirt bottle of power steering fluid in the cup holder at the helm so I can top it off when the steering goes bad (unresponsive). I had the shop at my marina (West Sound Orcas) try to find the leak but they never could find it or any sign of a leak all the way back to the rudder. Paper towels placed under the rear of the helm unit (behind mirror in bathroom / head) never had any sign of oil so we thought the leak must be somewhere else. But just this season we noticed oil in the shower floor and couldn't see any trail of how it was getting there. Turns out there is a seam in the fiberglass panel wall of shower and it must have separated over time, letting that fluid drip down. So now I will pull out the Uflex helm unit and replace. Hopefully that resolves the issue.
Click to expand...
Same exact story on my 2015 C26. I have isolated my leak to this housing seam.http://www.tugnuts.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=82123&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
I emailed uflex and was told no repair option is available and the helm needs to be replaced. My leak is so slow I'm in no hurry to pay for the permanent fix at $500+.
 
Can you tell me what the model # was on your new pump? Andrew with ranger tugs was very helpful and said they have replaced the one from 2015 with a different model. The UP25F.

Do you have the auto pilot? I'm confused when looking at the installation manual that I my need the UP25F NV instead. Still foggy on this but I'm worried I may have ordered the wrong pump. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Vance
 
UP28FM was the new pump provided by UFlex. You should be able to see the pump data from the back of the panel. I do not have an auto pilot. If you do that will increase the effort to bleed the system. I believe the instructions received from UFlex covers that also.
 
Unfortunately my pump does not have any identifying marks on it. Looking online and in the manual they don't seem to talk too much about having and autopilot. I'm wondering if it's treated just like a second helm? The disadvantage would be not being able to turn the wheel back and forth and Purge the system.

Thank you for your help.
 
I would call Uflex & Garmin for instructions on bleeding with an auto pilot. Ranger Tug factory should be able identify the correct helm pump. The other option on bleeding the system would be for you to do the installation and find a mobil boat service to bleed the system. They would probably have a tool for this purpose. With all the Uflex & Seastar systems out there most boat mechanics should be familar with these systems.
 
I was able to get most of the information I needed from the ranger service department . Also talked to the Ultraflex technician and he walked me thru how to purge the air from the two steering lines. Now it just following the directions that Garmin has to bypassing the shadow drive relay on the auto pilot. Then driving the pump manually to purge air from the last line. Definitely a challenge.
 
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