steering fluid leak

T

Taran

New member
We have our boat in Sequim for the summer, staying at the John Wayne Marina, and noticed that we have some steering fluid leaking occasionally from behind the steering column. Steering works fine. I checked previous posts, and looked up info on Baystar Steering. We aren't "do it yourselfers", but we can check the fluid level when we go back up to the boat on Friday. My question is, if the level is low, can we just add more fluid without introducing air into the system? I will pick up the recommended fluid. Does it come with the screw in tube or could I just use a big syringe to add some if needed? We will take it in for servicing at the end of fishing season this fall, assuming the steering continues to work ok.
Will this allow us to get by for now?
Thanks!
 
There will be a very slight leakage with time on the Bar Star units. Unless there is obvious loss of fluid, I would not worry. Yes, you can just fill it up. I have used both the specific tube and screw in fitting, but more often I have used a small funnel and very carefully poured in the amount of fluid needed. No bleeding necessary, unless you have air in the lines.
 
Taran.
I have a small plastic bottle with a "nipple" top with a cap. It is perfect for topping off the steering w/o spilling. I only have to refill the bottle once a season. It holds 4 oz.
I keep it on the dash and handy to get at.
Just another idea.
Jack
 
Betcha one of these would be handy......

http://www.sciplus.com/p/WASH-BOTTLE_41908

41908.jpg
 
For this summer, just refilling it is the easiest thing to do and perfectly adequate. However, for the future, you might want to find out from where that leak is issuing. So wipe it down and keep checking for a seep of oil. that'll tell you where the leak is.

Remember, that unit is only a pump which pumps fluid out of one hose and lets fluid come in from the other hose, depending on which way the wheel is turned. So leaks can only come from a couple of places.

First, the fill fitting. This happens if the pump is overfilled and the solution is to not fill it as much. This happens to a lot of people, though not me.

Next, at the rear of the pump at one of the fittings. If it's there, try tightening the hoses (but not over-tightening.) If it's between the fitting and the pump body, wait until this fall and re-tighten the fitting, or replace the O-ring (if there is one.)

If it's at the pump shaft, from behind the helm wheel, fix it this fall.

Boris

And if a hose is split, make your own decision.
 
Hi Taran,

Our baystar system has a leak at the helm too. I was concerned enough at first to research how to fix it.

Since then, I have topped it off once in the last 5 months.

What bothered me most was the messy fluid leaking down between the hour guages and down onto the sole of the boat.

I "fixed" that problem by wrapping and tying a rag around the plastic reservoir.

So far so good! Ill probably eventually fix it once and for all, but it doesnt seem to be a big issue at this point.
 
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