Steering fuid leaked - Yamaha 150

johnboym3 · 01 June 2009, 22:50

Hi Guys, anyone any tips on adding new hydraulic fluid to a yamaha 150 4 stroke unit. the fluid has leaked out of where the hydraulic pipes met the ram, so i used ptfe tape and refitted them a bit tighter. now there is little fluid left and the engine doenst move when you turn the wheel

Downhilldai · 02 June 2009, 00:12

The hydraulic steering fluid goes into the helm unit - should be a knurled cap on the top just forward of the steering wheel.

Hightower · 02 June 2009, 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboym3

Hi Guys, anyone any tips on adding new hydraulic fluid to a yamaha 150 4 stroke unit. the fluid has leaked out of where the hydraulic pipes met the ram, so i used ptfe tape and refitted them a bit tighter. now there is little fluid left and the engine doenst move when you turn the wheel

Yes, oil goes into the helm normally. You'll have to fit an adaptor to the oil fill plug and connect a tube to a clean container which you fill with Hyd oil. Then it's a case of opening the bleed valves at the Ram and turning the wheel to flush the air out.

BTW it's bad practise to use PTFE tape on hydraulic systems (the PTFE tape can get into the oil system and clogg valves etc). Do it as a last resort by all means but proper liquid thread sealent is the best way to go.

DJL · 02 June 2009, 10:03

Instructions for SeaStar systems: http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/PDFs/296784-AB_47-51.pdf

Instructions for BayStar systems: http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/PDFs/764600-H_10-12.pdf

fast fred · 10 June 2009, 03:33

the tape is not the right fix for steerin.

Quote:

proper liquid thread sealent is the best way to go.

only way.

jyasaki · 10 June 2009, 17:01

If you removed the hoses from the steering ram, you need to bleed the system (air will compress rather than move the ram.) The links to the Seastar manuals will have the procedure.

Teflon tape is discouraged from hydraulics because bits get sheared off on assembly and may find their way into the valves and things in the system. If it's already on, you may or may not have the bits of tape loose in the system already - I'd leave it until you have a problem. Most likely, it'll be fine. If you redo it, use a paste-type sealant, and flush the old fluid out pretty thoroughly.

jky

Jelly · 11 June 2009, 08:52

Apologies for thread creap, but can you strip and replace the seals etc on the seastar/baystar units if you did need to?
I was warned that one manufacturer you couldn't. I did it on my Lecomb & Smitt as fitted by RedBay after a few springs in the swash pump in the helm unit gave up.
Rgds
James

DJL · 11 June 2009, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

but can you strip and replace the seals etc on the seastar/baystar units if you did need to?

They sell seal kits for the cylinders and helm units - you can download the instructions at http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/SHARE...PDF_files.htm&

I'm not sure they sell spare parts beyond that.

bedajim · 11 June 2009, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

If you removed the hoses from the steering ram, you need to bleed the system (air will compress rather than move the ram.) The links to the Seastar manuals will have the procedure.

Teflon tape is discouraged from hydraulics because bits get sheared off on assembly and may find their way into the valves and things in the system. If it's already on, you may or may not have the bits of tape loose in the system already - I'd leave it until you have a problem. Most likely, it'll be fine. If you redo it, use a paste-type sealant, and flush the old fluid out pretty thoroughly.

jky

That's what Hightower said

Jelly · 11 June 2009, 09:52

Hi Dave
thanks for the link, looks like they only sell cylinder seal kits for some units and not helm.
Many thanks
James

jyasaki · 11 June 2009, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

That's what Hightower said

True, he did, but I wanted to make clear that the tape is not incompatible with the hydraulic fluid; it's the possibility of sheared off pieces that are the problem.

jky

chris123 · 11 June 2009, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

BTW it's bad practise to use PTFE tape on hydraulic systems (the PTFE tape can get into the oil system and clogg valves etc). Do it as a last resort by all means but proper liquid thread sealent is the best way to go.

Unless it is a parallel thread, in which case a (dowty) bonded seal is the answer

Cheers

Chris

jyasaki · 17 July 2009, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jelly

Hi Dave
thanks for the link, looks like they only sell cylinder seal kits for some units and not helm.
Many thanks
James

Late reply, sorry.

Seastar Helm seal kit (for most single station helms) is HS5176. Includes a body gasket, a shaft seal, and several O-rings. Price is around $50 US, as far as I can tell.

You can also get just the shaft seal alone (Quad ring seal, 3/4"ID, 1"OD) for a buck or two. Seastar Seal part number is 225226.

Most (but not all) steering cylinders are now using HS5157, which includes the 2 glands, some new O-rings for the nipples and hoses, a wrench, and a, insertions guide tool. Around $100 US.

Quite a few people in the US are suggesting taking the old seals to a local hydraulic shop and having them match seals. Saves money, I suppose. I do not advocate this (for my safety), but am only putting it out there as an option.

jky