View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Pat Anderson
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 8556 City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 8:45 am Post subject: Help Needed With Hydraulic Steering System |
|
|
Yesterday for a brief moment when Patty turned the steering wheel it spun freely (she said) but after a moment it returned to operating normally. I need a refresher on checking and topping off the hydraulic steering fluid. We are in Cambridge, MD and a neighboring boater will drive me to buy the fluid. I looked at the SeaStar literature, which is Greek to me. I know the knob on the steering column is where you check and top off the hydraulic fluid, but I want to make sure I do this right and do not make things worse by introducing air into the system. I would sure appreciate it if somebody could walk me through this. Assume I know nothing, which in fact is a true statement! Thanks! _________________
DAYDREAM - CD25 Cruiser
CRABBY LOU - CD16 Angler (sold 2020)
Pat & Patty Anderson, C-Brat #62!
http://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Discovery
Joined: 08 Dec 2003 Posts: 1240 City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 10:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
Pat, Just unscrew the cap and look at the oil level. I put the hydraulic fluid in a smaller ( two to four ounce ) container with a tapered top to make it easier to hit the small opening. If you slowly rotate the wheel with the cap off, the oil level should go up and down. Slowly, or it will shoot out the top and make a mess. I rotate the wheel to where the oil level is down and then add oil to near the top. Screw the cap back on, and your good to go.
I have to add oil every few weeks. I loose some at the cylinders over time with the dual motor set-up on the TomCat. _________________
Brent and Dixie,
1984 22' Classic sold 2003
2003 24' TomCat sold 2005
2006 TC255 Discovery Sold 2020
2006 CD 22' Angler Sold 2014
https://share.delorme.com/FBrentBetenson
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms." ~ Thomas Jefferson |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wandering Sagebrush
Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 2777 City/Region: Northeast Oregon
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Constant Craving
Photos: Constant Craving
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Pat, Boris has a nice how to in this thread, about 6 posts down. He uses an inexpensive brake bleeder.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=23370
Check your voice mail... _________________ "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Discovery
Joined: 08 Dec 2003 Posts: 1240 City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 12:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Boris has a nice write-up, but to just add fluid to top it up, don't use the brake bleeder. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4420 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20988 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 3:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The problem with the refill kit is that it uses a pin to put a hole in the bottom of the very expensive hydraulic fluid. You can make most of the kit with a 3/8 pipe thread to 1/4" Int. diameter nipple (nylon if you fear tearing up the threads in the pump), clear plastic tubing and a small funnel, which is what I carry. I very slowly add the fluid. (I got a gallon for $40 on the internet.)
Hopefully you will not need to bleed the system...but a routine maintenance item is checking & filling the hydraulic pump if necessary once a week when full time running. Also check to see if there is any fluid leaking around the shaft seal (fluid running down your side of the console. Since you have an auto pilot, check to see that there is no leaking around the pilot pump fittings, or the fittings on the helm pump.
Also look carefully for any leaking around the cylinder by the motor also once a week. We are told that dog hair and fine sand are the most abrasive items for the cylinder external seals. Even replacing the piston seals is not that hard, you just need a specific pin wrench.
There are some other potential issues, but low fluid is highest on the list. Let us know what you find when you open the helm pump plug. You should fill the helm pump to about 1/4" of the inside opening when at its "lowest" point in the cycles. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4420 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 3:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a different remote fill unit with the fill port is on the dash and sealed with a plug. I used an empty hot sauce bottle filled with oil. The cap is a valve. Push it up and oil flows. Push the cap down and oil flow is stop. Very easy is fill and the fill tube is behind the dash but is clear and easy to check the fluid level. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4420 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20988 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 5:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Brent,
Pat has the fill plug on the top of his helm pump. Not the way your Parker is rigged. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4420 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 6:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Bob
I thought we might share the same helm company. The remote fill kit is add-on item. Where the current helm drain plug is replaced with a new fitting, tube and fill port on dash. He might consider later bc it is requires drilling a hole in dash. When done, it is very handy. just saying |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4420 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 6:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It is a nice upgrade |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20988 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 6:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Brent--the C Dory use the front mount--so access is easy. I can see where the remote mount would be almost essential, lacking a hinged or open upper console.. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
BrentB
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 4420 City/Region: Greenwood
State or Province: IN
Photos: BrentB
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pat Anderson
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 8556 City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
|
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 8:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Fluid is purchased, ouch, $26 for a quart! I will be checking and filling tomorrow! Thanks all! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
localboy
Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 4673 City/Region: Lake Stevens via Honolulu
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: 'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
Photos: 'AU KAI
|
Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 10:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Pat Anderson wrote: | SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Fluid...ouch, $26 for a quart! |
A total rip off. I bought an aviation-grade fluid from an airplane parts supplier; $50 for a GALLON. Exact same fluid but died red to spot leaks. _________________ "We can go over there...behind the 'little one'....."
Wife to her husband pointing @ us...from the bow of their 50-footer; Prideaux Haven 2013 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|