Hydraulic steering maintenance

A

AK Angler

New member
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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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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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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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 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.
 
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-s ... rt--454710

zoomImages

I think there's one of those stores on every dock :lol: right?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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AK Angler":2sjbcuis said:
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...

EFE40F34-1CFD-404E-83CA-731120DA9607_zpstryubjzq.jpg
Click to expand...
I like it AK! :thup

You wouldn't happen to remember the size of that fitting would you? Like Mark, it's time for me to bleed our system for the first time too.
 
Peter, I was gonna pull our plug and take to Home Depot. Their plumbing dept has lots of brass fittings like that. It's on my honey-do list for today.

Harvey, the stuff I ordered is en-route. Company is called "Sky Geek". They sell aviation parts/supplies. Per the spec, it is a suitable substitute; only difference is it has red dye in it so leaks on planes/jets are more easily located/observed. Seems Seastar charges a "marine" premium for their brand.
 
Thanks Mark. That's a good idea. I downloaded the SeaStar manual and under helm pump port fittings it says 1/4" NPT. I think I'll look for one of those.

Peter
 
localboy":28pnncfc said:
Peter, I was gonna pull our plug and take to Home Depot. Their plumbing dept has lots of brass fittings like that. It's on my honey-do list for today.

Harvey, the stuff I ordered is en-route. Company is called "Sky Geek". They sell aviation parts/supplies. Per the spec, it is a suitable substitute; only difference is it has red dye in it so leaks on planes/jets are more easily located/observed. Seems Seastar charges a "marine" premium for their brand.
Click to expand...

Stop by a dealer. Typically, you get a cap with tube and fitting with a quart of SeaStar fluid. The dealers just use the fluid for their pressure bleeders, and toss the rest. My dealer gave me a couple of the tubes with fittings.
 
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