Help Needed With Hydraulic Steering System

P

Pat Anderson

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Nov 2, 2003
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C Dory Year
2005
C Dory Model
25 Cruiser
Vessel Name
Daydream
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!
 
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.
 
Boris has a nice write-up, but to just add fluid to top it up, don't use the brake bleeder.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Brent,
Pat has the fill plug on the top of his helm pump. Not the way your Parker is rigged.
 
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
 
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..
 
SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Fluid is purchased, ouch, $26 for a quart! I will be checking and filling tomorrow! Thanks all!
 
Pat Anderson":3cvzrmzx said:
SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Fluid...ouch, $26 for a quart!
Click to expand...

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.
 
Phillips 66 one gallon 5606 @ $33 dollars on Amazon. Same design can I use to buy when I was flying helicopters.
 
OK, on removal of the cap on the steering column, no hydraulic fluid was visible at all! We used a sandwich bag with a tiny hole cut in the corner, a technique Patty used to use for cake frosting (back when we ate cake!). Filled to within 1/8" of bottom of cap, put cap back in, rotated steering wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right. Removed cap and slowly rotated steering wheel - the oil level fluctuated slightly but not to where it appeared we needed to add more fluid. No weeping detected on either end of the steering rod. Steering feels better as well. This will become a regular weekly maintenance check! Thanks all!
 
Pat,

FWIW i encountered a similar issue on my Tomcat. I could not find evidence of a leak but after several months I finally ran a white paper towel under the steering box behind the bulkhead below where the all the wiring is located. An O'ring just behind the steering wheel was seeping. I contacted SeaStar and they were fantastic to work with
 
BTDT":bkzwupwb said:
Phillips 66 one gallon 5606 @ $33 dollars on Amazon. Same design can I use to buy when I was flying helicopters.
Click to expand...

Same that I purchased --with shipping and fees comes to a little over $40.
 
"SeaStar Hydraulic Steering Fluid is purchased, ouch, $26 for a quart!" Actually priceless when you're out touring and that solves your problem. So Pat got a bargain

Phillips 66 one gallon 5606 @ $33 dollars on Amazon. Great buy only when you know you're going to need it. In an emergency, when you can't wait several days, it's worth zero.

I buy the gallon and carry a pint on the boat; so don't get on me. Pat didn't and solved the immediate problem well.

Boris
 
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