Volvo Penta KAD 300 power steering issue

[buli]

Hi!

I got Cranchi 33 Endurance offshore 2002. It has twin volvo penta kad 300 diesel engines.

I got issue with steering. When engines are running the steering is very stiff. I can turn steering wheel easily about about 90° and after that i ned two hads to turn. When engines are not running, the steering is ok. Where to start to find issue? is it bad to take power steering belt off and drive without it?

Sorry for my bad english, writing here from Finland hope u get what i am trying to explain

 

[alldodge]

Would need to know which steering system is on the boat. If it uses standard teleflex or similar hydraulic steering, I would check the fluid level. Its checked at the helm and might also need to be bleed

 

[buli]

teleflex sounds familiar, need to check it tomorrow. I checked fluid level. in helm was ok, but in engine room there was too much oil. I waas driving couple hours an then checked. see pic.

 

[alldodge]

My guess is you have air in the cylinders
Here is seastar (same as teleflex) bleeding procedure its pdf
https://www.seatechmarineproducts.c...leed-SeaStar-Outboard-Hydraulic-Steeering.pdf

 

[buli]

My guess is you have air in the cylinders
Here is seastar (same as teleflex) bleeding procedure its pdf
https://www.seatechmarineproducts.c...leed-SeaStar-Outboard-Hydraulic-Steeering.pdf

I try to bleed system with that info. What is the right oil? Some normal atf oil or what?

 

[alldodge]

Like all manufactures they want you to use seastar fluid, which is basic hydraulic fluid. list 15W
Here is a thread which it is discussed and substitutes
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boatin...aulic-fluid-alternative-seastar-steering.html

 

[buli]

Like all manufactures they want you to use seastar fluid, which is basic hydraulic fluid. list 15W
Here is a thread which it is discussed and substitutes
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boatin...aulic-fluid-alternative-seastar-steering.html

thank you for info and quick answers. i will try some dextron atf oil. Hopefully it is just air in the system and not the pump itself.

 

[buli]

I tried bleeding but didnt see any air coming out.

While turning steering wheel, recognized that when i first turn full right, and then full left and then start turning again right, the fille cap in steering wheel lets air and fluid out.

 

[alldodge]

The manual shows to connect the bottle with a tube connected to the fill port. This will let air out and keep oil filled. By turning wheel each way and seeing nothing come out, and then the second time and seeing air and then fluid, would tell me there is air being purged somewhere

 

[buli]

Air and fluid comes out like thi. See video.
View attachment IMG_0765.MOV

 

[alldodge]

Need to remove the cap and make sure it stays full

 

[buli]

Need to remove the cap and make sure it stays full

You mean while i turn steering wheel from side to side? Then fluid comes out

 

[alldodge]

Please look at the manual. The cap is removed tube attached to bottle and bottle is upside down feeding helm

 

[buli]

We bled the system today with power purge jr machine. There was some air coming out but feeling with steering didnt change. I didnt go for test drive tough.

We noticed that one shaft in steering is moving bit sticky. Is it normal? See video.
View attachment IMG_0785.MOV

 

[alldodge]

If the steering is a seastar or teleflex type steering, then the motor doesn't need to be running for it to work. If its still hard to turn with motor running and in gear, the its either the helm or steering cylinder issues

 

[buli]

I think that one rod is not in its place. The one in video i attached.

 

[buli]

Now i have done:
-Bled system with power purge junior
-Connected power steering rod back in its place
-Checked leaks (didnt find any)

I recognized belt whining between 1500-3000rpm on that engine with power steering pump. Didnt check which belt makes noice. It starts same time that superchargers kick in, but i checked that supercharger belt condition is ok, tension is ok and belt tensioner is ok.

What to do next?

 

[alldodge]

I recognized belt whining between 1500-3000rpm on that engine with power steering pump.

There should not be a power steering pump. The Seastar/Teleflex steering is fully self contained and does not have a pump. When the wheel is turned its similar to a bottle jack where a small pump causes the bottle jack to lift. Where as the wheel is the small pump, moving the rudder cylinder

If you have a pump connected to the rudder cylinder I need to see what kind it is and how its connected

 

[buli]

There should not be a power steering pump. The Seastar/Teleflex steering is fully self contained and does not have a pump. When the wheel is turned its similar to a bottle jack where a small pump causes the bottle jack to lift. Where as the wheel is the small pump, moving the rudder cylinder

If you have a pump connected to the rudder cylinder I need to see what kind it is and how its connected

I have system like this: https://www.volvopenta.com/shop/522744/part-sections/54169466

 

[alldodge]

Will take me some looking to know exactly how it functions, but my guess is its similar to other types.

The wheel is moved which applies pressure on one side or the other of a valve back by the steering cylinder. Applying pressure opens the valve which sends high pressure fluid from the power steering pump into the cylinder. If wheel stops, valve closes, or if it goes the other way, the opposite side of the valve opens.

When this happens to a small boat the first think that is looked at is the pumps reservoir and is it full. If full the need to measure pressure from the pump. Mercruiser runs around 1200 psi (85 Bar)