1992 500 SeaRay SD Steering/ Helm leak

[AndyP]

Gentlemen,
This is a used boat. I lost steering the other day and managed to dock without incident.
The Seastar Helm oil level was empty and no evidence of a leak was visable at the helm or steering Ram. I removed the helm as a precaution and rebuilt it with a SeaStar rebuild kit.
Reinstalled the helm, filled and purged the system of air.
The steering was firm, continuous and smooth.
I took the boat out and did several 360's and "S" turns for about 1/2 hour.
Headed for the marina and lost steering again due to fluid loss.
The Helm, Steering Ram and hoses / Connections that are in view are not leaking, no hydraulic fluid in the bilge area either!
Is there a hydraulic cooler or reason this fluid is being lost? Where is it going?
There is no evidence of a leak anywhere, How can this be?
Can anyone help to solve this problem?
Thank you!
Andy

 

[fwebster]

The Sea Star systems are simple and very straightforward. You have a leak some where that you just haven't found yet. Most likely it is in the rudder actuation ram/autopilot pump area and the lost fluid is being pumped overboard with bilge water.

If your helm pump failed, then it is the first one I've ever heard of with problems. Every Sea Star problem we've ever had posted here or that I"ve seen at our dealer ended up being a loose fitting or broken hydraulic line. This isn't a small leak if you loose all the fluid, but the volume lost is relatively small just because the helm pump doesn't hold much. I would wipe the lines down with a clean white paper towel checking it frequently for signs of the red fluid.

Good luck with your search..........

 

[boatmailster]

Gentlemen,
This is a used boat. I lost steering the other day and managed to dock without incident.
The Seastar Helm oil level was empty and no evidence of a leak was visable at the helm or steering Ram. I removed the helm as a precaution and rebuilt it with a SeaStar rebuild kit.
Reinstalled the helm, filled and purged the system of air.
The steering was firm, continuous and smooth.
I took the boat out and did several 360's and "S" turns for about 1/2 hour.
Headed for the marina and lost steering again due to fluid loss.
The Helm, Steering Ram and hoses / Connections that are in view are not leaking, no hydraulic fluid in the bilge area either!
Is there a hydraulic cooler or reason this fluid is being lost? Where is it going?
There is no evidence of a leak anywhere, How can this be?
Can anyone help to solve this problem?
Thank you!
Andy

fittings on autopilot pump are known to leak and crack