steering problem

[newbeematt]

okay i lost steering today 20 miles from home its a hyd... cant read the rest. a bolt cam lose out the end of the one rod i tighten it up dont know if it leaked from there or not but ther was no fluid in the resevor could not find my extra so i put 2 stroke oil in ther had nothin else well it seemed it was going to work but didnt its not leaking out anywhere but i have no clue how to drain it and how to bleed the system once i get the right fluid in there. To get home i took the connector rod of and steered the other engine at 6 mph twin outboard yamaha 200's 1990's
yes it has been a long long day

thanks

Matt

[TTaxi]

Once the O/B's were free from the steering connections , did you try raising the RPMs? I never had to try it but with twins I think you may be able to get on low plane and have the O/B's naturally track straight , then steer with P/Stbd throttle RPM variations.

If you had minimal stiff steering via the wheel for 1 motor and the other was free, even better. Could be wrong, but I believe some folks adjust the steering linkage to the 2nd motor this way. ....

[newbeematt]

wouldnt go straight at all it was way to rough and windy just plan sucked

Matt

[savage]

Same sort of problem happened to me this summer.
We were over 60 miles out, and one hydraulic line got crossed up on the livewell plumbing and snapped off. Fortunately I have twin cylinder SeaStar rigging and was able to bypass the busted fitting and run home with just one cylinder.
That day, we replaced the lost fluid with bottled water, and got home at WOT.

To get back to proper fluid, you can use an air compressor on the SeaStar helm unit and a detached line at the furthest point on the back end. Turn the wheel a lot while doing this, and keep adding fluid to wash down the lines. Continue until the fluid that comes out the back is the same quality that you add at the helm.

Then refill and bleed the system following the manufacturers' instructions.

If your system is a Hynautic, with the air-pressurized coffee can looking reservoir below deck, then there is a way to purge those as well, but I cannot tell you exactly how that's done. Those systems require a pretty stout air fill after bringing the fluid level up to the proper range, so maybe you can use the schrader valve on the reservoir to blow out the contaminated fluid.

[newbeematt]

Originally Posted by savage

Same

Then refill and bleed the system following the manufacturers' instructions.

If your system is a Hynautic, with the air-pressurized coffee can looking reservoir below deck, then there is a way to purge those as well, but I cannot tell you exactly how that's done. Those systems require a pretty stout air fill after bringing the fluid level up to the proper range, so maybe you can use the schrader valve on the reservoir to blow out the contaminated fluid.

thats it with the can looking thing i dont even now where to add fluid im going down to tear into her in little bit

Matt

[BigosS]

The "can thing" is the Reservalve, assuming you have a Hynuatic system, and it sounds like you do. There is a fitting on the top of the reservalve that is removed to add fluid. This fitting takes a large wrench, 15/16 or 1 inch, I think. Be careful opening this if the system still has any pressure. Add fluid well above the full line, then open the two relief valves located on the bottom of the reservalve (they look like a bronze bolt and nut), use a 1/2" wrench. Those valve bolts will bottom out while opening/loosening at a fixed stop after several turns. Now pressurize your system using a bicycle tire pump at the shrader valve on the top of the reservalve and start looking for leaks. If you don't see or hear any leaks, start turning your helm to pass more fluid through the system. Bleeding is slightly more complicated. I have a link somewhere to the process. Let me know if you need it.

[newbeematt]

thanks for reply and a link would be great. A pump is going on the boat

Matt

[BigosS]

Try this link.

http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/PDFs/182000-A.pdf

Also, there is an older two line system that doesn't have the relief valve located on the bottom of the reservoir. The valve on that system is usually located near the cylinder.

And you can buy a mini pump that installs into the reservoir, taking the place of the fill cap. I have that pump and it works great.

[newbeematt]

thanks u Bighoss i put about 20 pounds of air in ther and it worked but i went ahead and drain the 2 stroke oil i put 2 quart in didnt get it all but most for sure going to add fluid tomorrow and try it out

Matt