Steering Pump Problems

Feb 13, 2009
436
Boat in Sant Carles, Spain. I live in Cheltenham,
Boat Info
Sundancer 460 2002
Volvo 480 HP
Raymarine Electronics
Avon 320DL RIB
Yamaha 25HP 4 Stroke
Engines
Volvo 74 TAMD EDC
Helm problems

Last week I stripped the Helm pump on my 2002 Sea Ray 460, most of the seals were leaking over the last few years and it always needed topping up.

Removed it, stripped and cleaned all parts, carefully reassembled it with the new seal kit and refitted it.

Initially a lot of air had to be worked out of the system by turning left, right and back again, but after about 24 hours the bubbles stopped surfacing and the fluid did not require further topping up.

All good now except.......

When turning the steering port to starboard, the feeling is good, quite loaded, and the rudders move as they should. After several turns left to right and back, when starting to turn in the other direction, the steering free-wheels with no resistance, and the wheel must be spun 5 or 6 turns until suddenly the pressure returns and the rudders move. This happens intermittently and in no particular order .

Any thoughts on the potential problem please.


Graham
 
Helm problems

Last week I stripped the Helm pump on my 2002 Sea Ray 460, most of the seals were leaking over the last few years and it always needed topping up.

Removed it, stripped and cleaned all parts, carefully reassembled it with the new seal kit and refitted it.

Initially a lot of air had to be worked out of the system by turning left, right and back again, but after about 24 hours the bubbles stopped surfacing and the fluid did not require further topping up.

All good now except.......

When turning the steering port to starboard, the feeling is good, quite loaded, and the rudders move as they should. After several turns left to right and back, when starting to turn in the other direction, the steering free-wheels with no resistance, and the wheel must be spun 5 or 6 turns until suddenly the pressure returns and the rudders move. This happens intermittently and in no particular order .

Any thoughts on the potential problem please.


Graham
Sounds like either the relief valve is not sealing or that little spool valve is stuck. Most likely the spool valve which is between the two plugs in the back that install from the sides.
 
As a back up to the above problem, can anybody tell me the part number or spec a of a complete new helm hydraulic pump.

Any clue would be appreciated, I will buy a new pump and take with me, but unfortunately the Sea Ray dealers in the UK don't even answer their phones.

Graham
 
Sounds like either the relief valve is not sealing or that little spool valve is stuck. Most likely the spool valve which is between the two plugs in the back that install from the sides.
Thanks for that, I strongly suspect it is the spool valve, and to avoid a long frustrating job spoiling my next holiday, I will just take a new pump with me and fit that, if I can get a SeaStar or similar part number to buy. I believe the "litres pumped per turn" is the most important spec that needs to be correct.

Graham
 

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