My father in law is having an issue with his steering that has me baffled. His is the original sea star set up for a single outboard. I helped him replaced his gland seals on the cylinder about four years ago because they were starting to weep when it set up for the winter. He has got three years of trouble free service out of the set up since the repair but last year he started having issues again but the gland seals still look great and no signs of leakage. He had pulled the boat out last spring and turned the wheel over hard port just in the driveway and it got stuck in that position. He and I bled the system down, very little air was noted but steering returned. He used the boat multiple times last summer with no issue but then had a problem again in the early fall. If I recall correctly same problem he pulled the boat out to use it and steering got stuck in the hard over position. Again we bled the system down, very little air again, steering returned and no more problems on his next trip out. He just pulled the boat out from it sitting up all winter this past weekend and he’s back to not having steering. I’ve checked the back of the helm and it shows no signs of leakage, no signs of leakage in the bilge and no leaks around the cylinder it’s self. I don’t know if there is someway that air is getting into the system or if perhaps he has a valve in the helm itself that is causing the problem? Anyone else ever experienced this, particularly after boat has set up for a period of time?
These folks are easy to work with and can offer assistance. Their web site has useful instructions on bleeding and trouble shooting.
http://www.boatsteer.com/index.html
ZX
he could have a sticking valve in the helm, or a leak at those glan seals that you arent seeing??
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING
I too have a suspicion it’s a valve in the helm, it’s almost like it’s sticking sporadically. The glam seals look good and the rod is slick without imperfections that could cause a leak to form. Is the helm serviceable? Not sure if you can replace those valves? Have not had much time to look for a Sea Star manual online for a helm component breakdown.
There is a secret o-ring kit available depending on which helm, but trust me when I say that once you open it up, you’ll take one look and order a new one…
quote:
Originally posted by EquipMgrThere is a secret o-ring kit available depending on which helm, but trust me when I say that once you open it up, you’ll take one look and order a new one…
WELL SAID
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.bombislandboats.com
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING
So motor was stuck in hard over to starboard. We bled the system per instructions for that side going through a full container of fluid. Very few to essentially no bubbles. We switched to other side but could not get motor from hard over to follow directions so we bled from that position just turning opposite direction on wheel. Same thing just a few bubbles and as we tightened bleeder while turning still no response from motor. Full tight bleeder and no response. I kept the fluid in the inverted fill position and my father in law grabbed the motor and rocked it hard while I turned the wheel. The helm itself “burped” a couple of huge bubbles, then motor started turning. We continued turning and several more big “burps”. Motor turns now flawlessly in both directions. Fingers crossed that the problem is solved. Still not certain why air did not push through the bleeders but burped through the helm? Guess time will tell.