Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

[Solittle]

I have a pair of 1987 1.6L OMC SeaDrives on a 23' Wellcraft CC. This rig has a single helm with hydralic steering to each motor. I am getting a small leak on both sides of the port motor. I have never worked on the steering and am looking for help. I have the OMC service manual for my motors but it covers manual steering only. I don't know if this assembly was made by OMC or by another manufacturer. There is no identification on the assembly other than the letter "H" (about 1/2" high) on one of the brackets that hold the piston. There is also a number stamped but I have no clue on what the number means. If I can identify who made it I am hoping that they have some kind of seal kit.<br /><br />I have taken some digital images and would be more than glad to email them. Contact me at hw8478@bellsouth.net. I am trying to figgure put how to post them here but no luck yet.<br /><br />Ideas??<br /><br />Howard<br />AKA Solittle

 

[Hooty]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

Have a look at the site below and see if it looks like yours. There are several manufactures, Seastar (Teleflex) and Hynautic are a couple.<br /><br /> Seastar Steering <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[gss036]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

SeaStar and Hynautics are one and the same. Good web site with lots of help.

 

[J. Fenn]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

"H" is most likely Hynautic. As previously noted, it is now owned by Seastar.<br /><br />There are helm kits available to rebuild Hynautic helms. However, since the leaks are back near the motor, you'll most likely need OMC parts. The steering cylinders, stainless braid teflon lined hoses, and dual steering control are OMC products.<br /><br />Start by checking the hose ends that connect between the steering cylinder and seadrive bracket (2 hoses for each engine). I have a similar setup on my boat, and one of the four hoses had a non-stainless fitting which had corroded to the point that it leaked.<br /><br />The steering cylinders will also start to leak with time. They have to be disassembled and fitted with new o-rings.<br /><br />Feel free to e-mail me privately if you need more info: mjolnir009@yahoo.com.<br /><br />Joe

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

solittle.<br /> do your seadrives have a belt driven power steering pump?<br /> if not email the pics to rodbolt40@yahoo.com.

 

[qapd]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

SoLittle,<br /><br />I just recently replaced both ends of my SeaStar steering cylinder. I purchased from Surplus Unlimited. https://www.surplusunlimited.com Cylinder Seal Kit HS5157 <br /> <br />Quantity in Basket: none <br />Code: 4041 <br />Price: $76.95 <br /><br />They list several seal kits. They come with very good instructions. You will need the kit that includes the wrench. Cost a little more but makes the removal very simple.<br />My mechanic advised to remove the tilt tube rod and lubricate very well. This might release the possible bind on the hydralic cylinder. You might try this first and save $$$$. This assembly must pivot when the motor tilts. This helped my leak but did not fix the problem. After replacement of seals problem fixed. Remember to save the old ends. I am in the process of looking for new seal at hydralic shops. I won't spend the $76.95 again. I will have replacements waiting.<br /><br />Larry Smith<br />Pasadena, TX<br />'97 Mako 191

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

So Little,<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your Sea Drive whoas! Been there, done that!<br /><br />I too struggled with steering issues on my pair of '84 1.6l Sea Drives. One had an exteranl leak on the rod side (bad cap seal). The other would not stay aligned and drifted (bad piston seal, but no external leak). Needless to say, not good for docking!<br /><br />For your reference I had Hynautic set up which I think was just the helm and resvoir. I beleive everything else was OMC (lines, cylinders, synch valve if you have it). The synch valve (or box)was orginal equipment but replaced before my purchase of the boat (adding to my confusion)<br /><br />For the cyclinders, I disconnected and pulled them off (had some trouble with one of the pins but finally got her out), then brought them to my local wrench and they repalced the seals. I think I would try it myself if needed again.<br /><br />I'm not clear on what you mean by a leak on both sides?<br /><br />My OMC Sea Drive manual had a lot of detail regarding the hydralic (sp) steering set up, which included cylinder rebuild instrucitons, bleeding procedure etc. Does your manual not include this info?<br /><br />Regarding the bleeding procedure. I fabbed up two brackets to hold the cylinders in lieu of the "special tool". Make sure the brackets / bolts are rigid or you'll bend the rod at the threaded connection end (trust me I know!)<br /><br />I'll have tackle a tilt cyclinder seal replacement next season, which will require removal of the whole trim/tilt assy (unique to Sea Drives) Have you had any trim / tilt cylinder leakage?<br /><br />Good luck, <br /><br />R. Wood.

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

As I now see, my current set up is similiar to what is noted as the liquid tie bar on the Sea Star website. I have typical ball valve, 90 deg and T fittings instead of the "cylinder alignment valve", but the theory is the same. To bad I didn't have this last year, would've saved a lot of brain power!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

R. Wood - Thanks for the lengthy post. Now to the answer to your questions.<br /><br />1. I have a minor "weeping" leak on the port motor only. It leaks where the piston rod goes into the hydraulic cylinder on both sides of the cylinder. The leak is not severe but I have to add a couple of ounces of fluid before every outing. I am concerned that it will "let go" when I'm miles from the marina. I have some digital images I could send to you via email if you could help identify what I have.<br /><br />2. I have both the OMC service and parts manual specific for my 1987s. Unfortunately they are for the manual steering models as I was not aware that there was more than one manual for this setup. Could I talk you into mailing me a copy of that section of your manual (scan or snail mail)? My email is hw8478@bellsouth.net.<br /><br />3. I have had my rig for 10 years and have had no problem or leakage with the SeaDrive assembly so can't help there. Sorry -<br /><br />4. I don't know if I have the synch valve. My system is two complete front mounted cylinders - one for each motor. When I got the boat the motors would creep (toe in/out) over time. I finally got all the air out of the system so that is no longer a noticable problem.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Howard

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

I'll scan some copies of the manaul and email them tomorrow from work. I also have the Hynautic owners manual which may also help.<br /><br />Do you have a rod coming out of both ends of the cylinder? This set up is shown schematically in both the OMC and Hynautic manuals. Mine only has a rod on one side is known as a balanced system requiring a pressurized resvoir. If you have cyclidners with rods on both sides, I believe it's known as cyclinder and doesn't require a pressurized resvoir.<br /><br />The synch valve would be a box that is most likely mounted to the transom. The lines from the resvoir into go into one side of the box, then 3 lines coming out of the other side of the box. One to the port cyliner, one to the starboard cyliner, then a third that tees off with one side to the port and one to the starboard.

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

A few typos, the single side cyclidner is unbalanced, the double rod cylinder is unbalanced.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

R. Wood<br /><br />Mine has a piston rod comming out of each end of the hydraulic cylinder. There is a support bracket that attaches to the end of each rod that connects to the motor tilt tube. The hydraulic cylinder moves left or right with the motor steering arm connected to a plate (called a slide assembly) on top of the cylinder.<br /><br />I don't think I have the synch valve.<br /><br />I look forward to the email - thanks for going the "extra mile."

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

QAPD,<br /><br />Teleflex sells just the seals as a kit for less money than the kit that includes special wrench. Most marine wholesalers list them in their catalogs that marine shops have.

 

[qapd]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

Originally posted by seahorse:<br /> QAPD,<br /><br />Teleflex sells just the seals as a kit for less money than the kit that includes special wrench. Most marine wholesalers list them in their catalogs that marine shops have.

Thanks Seahorse, I will check it out.<br /><br />Larry Smith

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

Update - I have managed to identify the cylinder. It is a Hynautic Model K-10. Does anyone have a copy of the procedure to install a new seal kit?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

solittle. the instructions are in the seal kit. make sure the piston rams are not scratched or pitted. the makes sure the support rod that passes through the tilt tube is free and not stuck. then its a mater of loosening the cylinder end caps and then remove the support rod to cyl rod arms then remove the end caps and replace or install new seals in them. most kits just send the end caps. email teleflx and the tech support guys will help anyway they can.<br /> its been a year or so since I did the last k-10. that cyl has not been used in a LOOOONG time . could be worse though you could have a hynautic pressurevalve set up . are your motors tie-bared together? if not someplace on the hull or engine there will be a steering alignment valve.<br /> good luck and email teleflex. them guys are handy.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Hydralic steering leaks - How to fix???

rodbolt - My motors are not tie-barred. I will check for a steering alignment valve though don't recal seeing anything - - I don't know what one looks like.<br /><br />I don't know if this is unusual or means anything but the hydraulic cylinder is Hynautic but the helm unit is a SeaStar 1 (or I).<br /><br />I have had great response from the guys at teleflex though their answers to my questions have not been completely on point.<br /><br />Do you know if the K-10 and K-10S model are the same? If not what are the differences? I have my eye on a new K10S.