Seastar HC5345-3 rebuilt

C

C-Wolfe

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Sep 16, 2020
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C Dory Year
2008
C Dory Model
255 Tomcat
Vessel Name
Valhalla
With my engines tilted up, the port engine will get out of alignment after a few hours, I had it go to full drop overnight on a couple occasions. I have a liquid tie bar so it’s quite easy to re-adjust but I still need to rebuilt it. All I’m finding for rebuilt kit are the end cap and seal, I do not have any external leak and unless I’m missing something, those cap and seal will not resolve my issues. I’m also not finding any exploded view of inside the cylinder, I will expect to be a flange with seal or o-ring in the center of the shaft. Anyone here have any info on that?
Thanks
 
Hi C- Wolfe,

I just had an issue with my Seastar steering. The hydraulic fitting started leaking. Ripped the boot over it and caused steering failure for the main engine. Found the fitting was loose as well and may have been the reason the fitting started leaking.

Solution was a new fitting, added fluid, bleed the system. Fixed
 
I don't have any info on your issue exactly, but you should be able to pull the piston out and replace the seal. I do have quite a bit of experience on landing gear. I will say systems like we have are simple and the seals should be of a standard size and material. MIL-H 5606 (which is our fluid spec and what I used because it's red and i like to see leaks) is nothing special. Hardware store plumbing seals would most likely work and should say if they're rated for oil. I bet you can solve the problem for under $3 plus oil.

Oh, and regardless of what youtube shows you, NEVER and I mean NEVER use stainless picks removing hydraulic parts and seals! Buy a thin rod of brass, bronze or aluminum, hammer it flat and install in a wooden dowel for a handle.
 
Captain Starbucks said:
I don't have any info on your issue exactly, but you should be able to pull the piston out and replace the seal. I do have quite a bit of experience on landing gear. I will say systems like we have are simple and the seals should be of a standard size and material. MIL-H 5606 (which is our fluid spec and what I used because it's red and i like to see leaks) is nothing special. Hardware store plumbing seals would most likely work and should say if they're rated for oil. I bet you can solve the problem for under $3 plus oil.

Oh, and regardless of what youtube shows you, NEVER and I mean NEVER use stainless picks removing hydraulic parts and seals! Buy a thin rod of brass, bronze or aluminum, hammer it flat and install in a wooden dowel for a handle.
Click to expand...
Thanks Captain Starbucks, I figure it’s probably not that hard of a project, but I still would’ve like to see an exploded view before I start, that tend to make things go faster. I will be winterizing the boat soon so I’ll have a few month to get it done.
 
Just to be clear: is the port tilt and trim leaking to allow the engine to go from all of the way up at trailering position, and then dropping down, which pulls the steering cylinder "out", and when you raise it up, then the engines. are out of alignment? The "ideal" trim of the catamaran engines, is slight toe in. About 1/2" is generally good for the 255. However best to "align" by leaving the port engine free (open liquid tie bar) and let it self align at planing speed. Then close the equalizing valve.

I always leave my engines down. Even in a slip--then I put a trashbag, with fresh water in it as a "jacket" around the lower unit of the outboard. Another option is a "Boat bath" which is a fairly thick plastic lets say at least 8 mills. It is supported by the floating docks, and moves up and down with the tide. The exception might be when I am fishing every day, as we did in the keys. Then I use the hose to wrinse out the engine blocks and leave the motors as in running position.

I don't have a photo, but my recollection is that there is a nitral "O" ring which fits over the disc which is fixed to the center of the shaft. Nothing fancy. You are going to have to remove the piston shaft to varify the size. However, I suggest that you contact "Dometic Marine" who currently owns Sea Star. Their chief engineer is very helpful.

Here is the contact info.

Dometic Marine Global Tech Support
marinesupport@dometic.com
800-730-4082 Menu has changed.
1. DG3 Gyro
2. Optimus
3. Hydraulics
4. AC, Marine Climate
5. Balmar
6. Oceanair Blinds
7. Digital Switching & MDI
9. RV/Land Services
0. All others including Mechanical Steering & Controls, Sierra engine parts, Shields hoses
Moeller Fuel tanks, portable coolers, and more.
 
Bob, thanks for all that info, as always, I will most certainly give them a call when I get going on that project.

I do not have any issues with the tilt and trim, only with the port side steering ram getting out of alignment. I do not tilt my motors up very often, in my case it's not needed for trailering and launch/retrieve, but sometime when anchor and tide carry lots of debris with it. I also did to figure out what side was the issue on.
I’ll make sure to take pictures and post them here.
 
I would try bleeding the system first. If there are no visible leaks it just might be air in the system.
 
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