leaking pressure relief valve

[km1125]

QR_BBPOST Try a place that does hydraulic cylinders/lines/pumps for machinery, loaders etc....that may just be a generic part, if you can show them.

I would agree with this. My friend took his leaking helm unit apart (leaking around the shaft) and took the O-rings to a local shop. They cross referenced everything and he rebuilt the whole thing for, I believe, less than $10.

[drmax]

Napa, here I come! Seastar has all the parts for a remod, which would be extremely easy for about $500. The guy was knowledgeable. Have to wait and see. I would not spend $200 on a refurbed unit, at this point. Will let ya's know

[drmax]

ok so finally located a oring that works and there are no leaks and system holds pressure and reservoir is serviced properly.
Next issue is that the FB unit just spins and spins. I know the lines going up to the unit were depleted of oil. I'm not going through the bleeding procedure just yet, as my belief is that the upper pump H50 hynautic is cavitated. I thought that having 25 psi on the system would push the fluid up to the FB pump? I intended on just cracking the P and S lines to at least bleed out the air in those lines and get fluid up to the pump. With that said...is there a chance that an internal seal could be faulty in the FB pump, knowing that the system is holding pressure? I wanted to get this trouble shooting down now, before I head down to this boat this next weekend, as I won't have internet connection. The helm steering is fine, but I must have slowly turned the FB wheel 100 times either way and it never had rudder response. Maybe I need to pump the system up to 40, just to get the oil up to FB? Like I said...not ready for a full bleeding procedure quite yet, as I don't even have response to FB unit. Any advice?

[Viper]

Pressurize the tank to the rated spec or the system won't work. The spec should be on the label of the reservoir. 35-40 psi is typical.

[drmax]

Yes gonna try that 1st. It’s holding at 25psi. I’m doubting a seal in pump would be letting it leak internally but haven’t looked at a schematic.

[mjk1040]

Your going to have to bleed the FB unit. No oil in the FB unit will allow it to free wheel. The unit is the pump.

[Viper]

QR_BBPOST ?.....I’m doubting a seal in pump would be letting it leak internally but haven’t looked at a schematic.

Don't assume something is wrong until you go through the proper fill, pressurize, and purge process first. You may have to do it a few times before you end up with the right oil level, no air, and pressure.

The recommendation is that you crack fittings at each component such as the helm, steering cylinder, and autopilot pump if applicable to bleed air if there are no bleed screws. In your case, you'd need to loosen the screws on your relieve valve as well. This is the preferred method to rid all of the air at one visit but can be a pain if access is challenging. You can accomplish the same thing by running the helm and autopilot pump back and forth, it'll just take a while to do. Eventually all the air will end up in the reservoir as it should. Which ever method you do, it's a good idea to then let the system sit for 24 hours and recheck the oil level, pressure, check fittings for leaks, and turn the wheel back and forth ensuring it's still an easy smooth operation.

[drmax]

Ok. Pumped up to about 50 psi. Bled P and S lines on FB. Finally success. Reduced to 45 psi and holding fine. Thx all for the support!