Hydraulic Steering Fluid Questions...

[kwhorne19]

My boat has Bay Star hydraulic steering and I have a small leak of fluid right at the wheel - I was told that if you add some brake fluid it can make the o-rings swell a bit and maybe stop the leak.. 

 

Anyone have experience with this?

 

 

[Jig Man]

I also have hydraulic steering.  I have a small leak that can't be found.  I bought a quart of the recommended fluid several years ago.  I only have to add a few tablespoons full a couple of time a year and mine works fine.  I say go buy the right stuff and then you won't have to worry.

[Fishing Rhino]

Brake fluid is nasty stuff.  It can strip paint.  It may cause a seal to swell.  If it does swell it's because the fluid is breaking down the material, and can create even greater problems. 

 

Just add the proper fluid as needed until you can get it repaired properly.

[kwhorne19]

ok, I believe I am going to by a seal repair kit and flush the system and put in new fluid and get it like it's supposed to be... 

 

Do I just open the bleed tee fittings and turn the wheel until all the fluid comes out or is there a better way? 

 

Also, there is a kit that Bay Star makes to help you fill the helm that includes a fitting to screw into where the cap does and then has a plastic tune that connects to the fluid bottle, basically so as you are bleeding the system you never get any air in the lines.. 

 

Anyone use this or is there a homemade option that would be better?

 

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=436526&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50366&subdeptNum=50385&classNum=50388#

[Fishing Rhino]

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+bleed+hydraulic+steering+on+outboard&qpvt=how+to+bleed+hydraulic+steering+on+outboard&FORM=VDRE

[FD.]

ok, I believe I am going to by a seal repair kit and flush the system and put in new fluid and get it like it's supposed to be... 

 

Do I just open the bleed tee fittings and turn the wheel until all the fluid comes out or is there a better way? 

 

Also, there is a kit that Bay Star makes to help you fill the helm that includes a fitting to screw into where the cap does and then has a plastic tune that connects to the fluid bottle, basically so as you are bleeding the system you never get any air in the lines.. 

 

Anyone use this or is there a homemade option that would be better?

 

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=436526&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50366&subdeptNum=50385&classNum=50388#

 

 

I bought one and used it this summer to flush and bleed mine.  Works great.

[kwhorne19]

thanks

[FD.]

thanks

 

Once you replace the seal, just hook up the fill kit and proceed like it is a new fill.  Your old fluid will be stained (mine looked like rust) so bleed your line until you get clear fluid and no more air bubbles.  It took most of 2 quarts to do my 21 ft boat.

[Way2slow]

By the way, just to make sure you are clear on something, NEVER put brake fluid in it unless it's an absolute emergency. The idea behind that is it will soften and swell the seals that are leaking but those couple external seals that are leaking are not the only seals in the system. The brake fluid does not know the difference, it softens and swells all of them, internal and external seals in the helm and cylinder, and can totally ruin the whole system so it either has to be completely rebuilt or replaced.

I would recommend never use anything but the manufacture's fluid, or check around Bush or Daniel Field at the aircraft maintenance shops and get the mil spec hydraulic the call for. You will hear a lot of people say you can use Dextron ATF but I would not. The manufacture gives that as an alternative in an emergency but it also voids the warranty when you do. However, it is the safest of anything else other the aircraft fluid of manufacture's fluid.

For a bleeder kit, I use a $2 barbed fitting, a piece of 3/8" hose (clear is best but fuel line works) and the cap off bottle like gear oil or something that has the long tapper to it so if goes in hole. I also take it one step further and put pieces of hose on the bleeders and feed them back into a bottle I sit in the splash well to catch the fluid. If it's good, clean fluid, you can just reuse it and not let it dump on the ground. Even if you don't want to reuse it, it keeps from making a mess all over on the ground of driveway. It also helps if you have someone holding the bottle of fluid or funnel you are putting it in with so it's doesn't keep falling over.

[kwhorne19]

I appreciate all the help - I just went to Augusta Marine and they had the fluid and the bleed kit so I just need to order the helm seal and I will be able to get back on track...

[Way2slow]

If it's the helm seal that's leaking, you may be biting off more than you wanna chew.  I have not had a SeaStar of BayStar helm apart but I have had plenty of similar steering units apart and there is plenty of room for an "OH S**t!!".  There is a whole bunch of stuff sitting right under that cover that has to come off.  On some, the cover will come right off, let you replace the seal and go right back on, no problem.  Other's not so easy, when the cover comes off, a lot of stuff comes with it and it's a nightmare trying to get it all back in place.  So just be warned, if you take it apart, have it locked in a vice with the shaft up and go about it very carefully.  Keeping pressure down on the shaft as you try and lift the cover off ever so slowly so at to make sure nothing else comes out with it.

 

Found this pic of a SeaStar helm.  Looks like it's not quite as bad as some I've dealt with.  It's nothing but a pump, so you don't have all the ball valves and stuff to deal with as with some.  http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/310594-seastar-helm-pump-rebuild-pics.html

[kwhorne19]

so my question is this....  If I don't repair the leak and just keep adding fluid, will the system need to be constantly purged for it to operate properly?  Also, is there a chance that I might lose steering if not the hydraulic steering isn't functioning properly or will it just be hard to steer?  Does that make sense?

[Way2slow]

Will it suddenly fail, most likely not, unless the seal just totally went out and let all the fluid out.

As for the leak, I guess that depends on you and how bad the leak is. If constantly having to add fluid, and it's making a mess in the boat, then I would fix it. If it's just having to have fluid once a year, and not making a mess, I would probably leave it alone.

If it's sucking air in, and you are constantly having to bleed the system, again, I would fix it.

I'm assuming you are positive it's only the helm. I have a lot more problem with the seals in the cylinder back at the motor leaking than the helm. I've driven boats for a couple of years with the cylinder leaking but I only had to add a several ounces of fluid every several months.

[Fishing Rhino]

If it is leaking, the system is no longer sealed.  If stuff can get out, then stuff can get in, such as moisture or, abrasive grit and dust.  It's not likely to cause catastrophic failure of the mechanism, but over time the leak will get worse allowing more space for damaging contaminants and possible scoring of the shaft.

 

It's like the old television advertisement where the mechanic, speaking about changing oil, and the costs involved, says, "You can pay me now, or pay me later."  The moral being that it is cheaper to maintain a vehicle properly, than to neglect it and incur major expenses as a result.

 

Eventually, it will need to be repaired.  Not only may the repairs cost more, but you also have the ongoing expense of routinely adding fluid to your steering unit.

 

It will never be cheaper to repair than it is right now.

[kwhorne19]

sounds good guys, I appreciate the feedback and am going to work on it this week, hopefully take it out Thursday and be smooth as butter