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oldtimer57.
Put the boat in for the first time 96 PII, and the steering was not working properly. Had to keep turning to the left with the motor running and the motor would keep turning it back to the right due to the prop rotation. Must be low on fluid or something. What type of power steering fluid should I use and how do I bleed it if necessary?
It could be low, but it sounds like you have a repair job to do to me. Sounds like the helm pump is not holding pressure. Although this could be air-related. If you unscrew the plug on top of the helm, what do you see? Fluid right up to the top or a dry hole? If it is dry, Id be happy to tell you how to bleed it pretty easily and firm it back up.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
We do not speculate on a steering issue. We suggest a competent technician get a look at it. This is a sealed system, if it is low on fluid, where did it go?
oldtmer57 how do you bleed the system, thanks Chris
cpcat, We are going to refer you to the Sea Star Hydraulic Steering section of the Teleflex site. They have information there. Though if your simple course is to bleed it, find out where that fluid went? The rear T fitting loosens and the fluid goes overboard under operation so no evidence is left. These do not leak on your driveway. They leak on the water During operation and that leak is there somewhere and it could be tragic if not found.
I dont see any fluid when I remove the cap at the steering wheel. It is under pressure though because I checked it the last couple years and everytime I loosen the cap I can hear the pressure release. I can not see any fluid in there when I checked today but I did not see any last year or the year before either. It seemed to work fine last year and this was the first time in the water since storage. I spoke to someone about how full it should be and I thought they told me as long as there is fluid in the hose you are fine.
How much fluid should there be? Should you be able to see it when you open the fill cap?
That would be an aftermarket install if the cap is in the steering. We did not use that style at the time. Again we are going to refer you to the Teleflex how to site for more information.
BCBs suggestion is a good one here. If you are not absolutely sure what you are doing, you need a competent mechanic involved. If you are running WOT and something happens, the motor will slam hard right. The boat is going to turn _right now_. You and any passengers are going to keep going straight. You have to hope you are (a) thrown clear without getting hurt and (b) you remembered the kill lanyard so that the tightly circling boat doesnt run over you with dire consequences. Theres no emergency backup to prevent this problem, so you have to avoid the circumstance instead. There are lots of places for leaks. The helm can leak. The two Kevlar lines can leak anywhere from where they attach to the helm to where they attach to the hydraulic cylinder back at the motor. The lines can rub and develop a hidden leak. The system doesnt hold a gallon of fluid so you can have a leak that leaves fluid inside the boat and you might not see it unless you look carefully. There are lots of places for problems back at the tiller cylinder. Saw one about 2 years ago where one of the large inside bushings on the cylinder came unscrewed, which instantly dumps any fluid coming from the line on that side. You can steer one way, but not the other, for a very short time until fluid is gone. My seastar fluid is clear. I think BCB uses something with a tint to make it easier to spot a leak. if yours is an aftermarket install, you might have the clear fluid which really hides unless you happen to watch and see that gas/oil-type rainbow film on top of the water as you drop off plane and start to fish. Id be happy to explain the bleeding, but first you really do need to figure out why bleeding is necessary in the first place. Mine has been “as is” for almost 10 years. No fluid added. When you unscrew that cap on top of the helm, any “pressure” you hear is probably just ambient heat causing a slight increase in pressure. If you fill it while it is scorching hot outside, and check it when it is cool, you might also here a slight hiss when you open the cap as a small amount of air bleeds in as you break the seal with the plug. This wont cause problems. But find out where the fluid is going first, and make certain there is no doubt. Ask any of us that have had an old single-cable system break what that feels like. My one and only time left me with some incredible black bruises where I hit the side of the boat as I was thrown out. And I wasnt doing 80+ like we can do today. As far as the question “How full should it be?” the answer is “all the way to the top.” I usually have a shop towel underneath to catch any spillage as that plug is screwed back in.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
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