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AK Angler



Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 12:32 am    Post subject: Hydraulic steering maintenance Reply with quote

This is just a reminder to those of us running hydraulic steering... hydraulic is great, but it's not maintenance free. I recently had a leaky steering cylinder and changed the seals. (a relatively simple task.) When I went to bleed the system, I decided against using the bottle of fluid I had opened last fall when I was had to top off the system (the center bottle), due to how dark it was compared to the new bottles I bought a couple months ago (left bottle). I figured it had absorbed water from being open. The bottle on the right is some of the nasty fluid that came out when I was bleeding. So, I went ahead and flushed out all the old fluid, replacing it with the new clear-ish stuff. (Most of the old fluid was actually darker than this because this has some new stuff mixed in.) Disgust Anyway, you might want to put a fluid flush on your maintenance list.


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AK Angler



Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 327
City/Region: South Central
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 26 Venture
Vessel Name: Rod Holder
Photos: Rod Holder
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 2:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

FYI: Both the Seastar and the Baystar installation manuals say to "Check hydraulic oil for cleanliness, flush if required" every 200 hours or 12 months, whichever comes first.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great points. Hydraulic fluid is far cheaper (as long as it fits the specs) in other places, such as air port fixed base operators. I got a gallon for $10.

Mil- Spec H-5606C

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Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
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ssobol



Joined: 27 Oct 2012
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are various types of hydraulic fluids. Some are compatible and some are not. Putting in the wrong type can dissolve the seals and/or hoses.

If you go to a FBO and ask for hydraulic fluid, they are going to ask you what kind do you want. Saying you want the type that goes in your boat is not going to get you very far.
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AK Angler



Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 2:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In that case, you would be asking the person behind the counter for hydraulic fluid that meets mil spec H-5606C, as Thataway posted.
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is a list of the Sea Star manual or Mil Spec oils:H 5696C:

• Texaco HO15
• Aero Shell Fluid #41
• Esso Univis N15
• Chevron Aviation Fluid A
• Mobil Aero HFA
• Fluids meeting Mil H5606 specifications.
Kendall hyken Glacial Blu,
Royce 756
Phillips X/C 66
• Automatic transmission fluid Dexron ll may be used in an emergency.

Many FBO buy the oils in 55 gallon drums Bring your own can--and that is how you can get it cheaply...

In the most recent bay star especially, they no longer mention the alternatives. You know full well Sea Star buys off the shelf oil and then marks it up many XX
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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 8:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never done it and the boat is 9 yrs old. Mad What is the procedure?
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thataway



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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 9:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The simple answer is you put clean fluid into the pump reservoir and with an open bleeder on one side of the ram, turn the helm to that side:--push the old fluid out of that side, then close that bleeding fitting, and open the opposite, turn the helm pump the opposite way, and push the old fluid out of that side. Easiest if you have the tubing fitting which screws into the filler plug (as I recollect it should come with the instillation kit), and hang a quart of fluid up to keep some "head pressure" so that no air is introduced into the system. You want to get all of the old fluid out of the rams, line and pump. You will probably get a little cross contamination, but it makes not difference, as long as the fluid is dry and clean.
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AK Angler



Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Instead of trying to balance a quart bottle of hydraulic fluid with a pinhole in it to let the oil flow as described by Seastar (that just seems like a mess waiting to happen), I made an adapter for a funnel out of a brass hose fitting that screws into the helm, a short length of stiff fuel line, some black tape, and of course, a funnel. (You may be able to see the fuel line going up into the neck of the funnel a couple of inches.) It works for me...

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Wandering Sagebrush



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PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scroll down in this thread to the second post from Boris. It's the most efficient method for us shade tree mechanics that I am aware of...

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=23370

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AK Angler



Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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City/Region: South Central
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C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 26 Venture
Vessel Name: Rod Holder
Photos: Rod Holder
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2016 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd propose that it the procedure of choice is less important than actually getting it done. Letting your hydraulic oil get nasty like I did isn't exactly doing the system any favors.
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Wandering Sagebrush



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PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 12:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AK Angler wrote:
I'd propose that it the procedure of choice is less important than actually getting it done. Letting your hydraulic oil get nasty like I did isn't exactly doing the system any favors.


I agree!
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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the link. Basically, like bleeding brakes. I think I can handle that. Wink Now to search for the fluid...
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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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City/Region: Lake Stevens via Honolulu
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Vessel Name: 'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
Photos: 'AU KAI
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 5:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just ordered a gallon of Phillips X/C 66 (aviation) fluid meeting the requirement from an on-line supplier for $25 plus $14 freight. Same gallon of Seastar fluid was $80 + frt. I don't have time to run around looking for an aviation supplier willing to sell some to me.
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hardee



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PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2016 11:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark,

I don't know how much you will need but 2 of these is about $56 and free shipping at our favorite marine supplier (WM).

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/seastar-solutions--seastar-hydraulic-steering-fluid-1-quart--454710

[img]http://www.westmarine.com/buy/seastar-solutions--seastar-hydraulic-steering-fluid-1-quart--454710/zoomImages[/img]
I think there's one of those stores on every dock Laughing right?

Harvey
SleepyC Moon


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