Steering fluid leak

[vositis]

My steering fluid seems to disappear any time I am not looking at it. It doesn't go away from use - it goes away when the boat sits in the slip patiently awaiting my return, like a home-bound puppy.

Have any of y'all seen this problem and could someone help me understand how the steering system actually works and where to start looking for this problem? I couldn't immediately find a fluid reservoir anywhere and feeling around the hydraulics I can't find any evidence of a leak. For that matter, I can't even locate the line the connects the steering wheel to the steering piston. Is it just a hydraulic line connecting the steering wheel? Is the hydraulic pump at the actual helm? How does this system work?

Thank you!!

-Vilis

[Nancy]

What model boat do you have? The CB and TE series mostly have Seastar hydraulic systems, and there are a number of threads here about repairing them. Sometimes the steering apparatus leaks at the steering wheel, which is very obvious because lots of oil runs down the fiberglass below the wheel. There is a cylinder at the stern near the rudder post, and that leaks, too, when the cylinder seals fail. Do a search here on "seastar" and you'll find lots of reading.

[Jkraft]

Mine was leaking below the wheel when I got it. I thought that was the issue but it turns out it was leaking at the ram at the rudder also. I looked into getting it rebuilt but decided to replace it instead with a larger unit.

[vositis]

What model boat do you have? The CB and TE series mostly have Seastar hydraulic systems, and there are a number of threads here about repairing them. Sometimes the steering apparatus leaks at the steering wheel, which is very obvious because lots of oil runs down the fiberglass below the wheel. There is a cylinder at the stern near the rudder post, and that leaks, too, when the cylinder seals fail. Do a search here on "seastar" and you'll find lots of reading.

I have a 28 TE Flushdeck.

I don't SEE anything under the steering wheel - do you mean, like behind the console? It's definitely not running down where I could see it without opening a panel or something?

[vositis]

Mine was leaking below the wheel when I got it. I thought that was the issue but it turns out it was leaking at the ram at the rudder also. I looked into getting it rebuilt but decided to replace it instead with a larger unit.

So... To be honest, I don't know which ram back there is the steering and which is the autopilot. I am TOTALLY down with replacing the whole thing!!

Any leads on what to look for to do that?

Thank you!!!

[Jkraft]

Mine was leaking below the wheel when I got it. I thought that was the issue but it turns out it was leaking at the ram at the rudder also. I looked into getting it rebuilt but decided to replace it instead with a larger unit.

So... To be honest, I don't know which ram back there is the steering and which is the autopilot. I am TOTALLY down with replacing the whole thing!!

Any leads on what to look for to do that?

Thank you!!!

You have two rams? I only have one that attaches to the ruder and the autopilot ties into that with hydraulic lines. I ended up installing a heavier duty steering ram because the factory installed ones on the 28 was sized pretty small, borderline for that boat. I looked into having the ram rebuilt and was told by a few shops that its really better to go new for longevity.

The factory ram is the HC5132 and that is rated for boats up to 26'. That autopilot works HARD in a following sea on these boats so we upgraded it to the HC 5313. It fits the same footprint, same shaft length but thicker diameter.

[vositis]

You have two rams? I only have one that attaches to the ruder and the autopilot ties into that with hydraulic lines. I ended up installing a heavier duty steering ram because the factory installed ones on the 28 was sized pretty small, borderline for that boat. I looked into having the ram rebuilt and was told by a few shops that its really better to go new for longevity.

The factory ram is the HC5132 and that is rated for boats up to 26'. That autopilot works HARD in a following sea on these boats so we upgraded it to the HC 5313. It fits the same footprint, same shaft length but thicker diameter.

I don't know... I think one thingy is the position sensor, the other must be the ram. When you turn the wheel, does that control the same ram as the autopilot controls?

I just ordered a HC 5313 and I'll drop that in there. In the process I'll hopefully learn what's going on down there!!

Thank you!!

-VO

[Jkraft]

You have two rams? I only have one that attaches to the ruder and the autopilot ties into that with hydraulic lines. I ended up installing a heavier duty steering ram because the factory installed ones on the 28 was sized pretty small, borderline for that boat. I looked into having the ram rebuilt and was told by a few shops that its really better to go new for longevity.

The factory ram is the HC5132 and that is rated for boats up to 26'. That autopilot works HARD in a following sea on these boats so we upgraded it to the HC 5313. It fits the same footprint, same shaft length but thicker diameter.

I don't know... I think one thingy is the position sensor, the other must be the ram. When you turn the wheel, does that control the same ram as the autopilot controls?

I just ordered a HC 5313 and I'll drop that in there. In the process I'll hopefully learn what's going on down there!!

Thank you!!

-VO

Yes, the same ram that the autopilot controls is the one that the helm wheel control. You might have a rudder angle indicator on your boat. That could explain the other thing you are seeing.

[Nancy]

Some photos would go a long way to helping you solve these mysteries.
If you don't see oil running down the fiberglass below the steering wheel, then you probably don't have a leak at the steering column.
When the steering cylinder (at the stern near the rudder post) fails, you can see oil leaking from it.
But you've already ordered a new cylinder, so if that was the problem, the new cylinder should cure it. I'm a little concerned that you're replacing parts without being sure that they've gone bad, but I could be interpreting that incorrectly.
As for the autopilot thingies and controls, I leave that to people who have them; I don't.

[carolmarie]

Nancy:
Good thing you don’t know what you’re missing!
The AP is a marvelous, remarkably useful and reliable navigation aid. Don’t ever try one………. Don.

[Jkraft]

Ditto what Don said! When you finally find your dream 35 it’s a must have! Are we a bad influence???

[Nancy]

Don and JBK, oh, I haven't always been deprived. We had autopilot on our 24' Grady White. Pretty sweet.

Yup, you like spending other people's money almost as much as I do! Good thing the 28TE tracks so well! Get her trimmed right, and there's no weather helm. Oops, there's the sailor in me.