SeaRay 390 express stearing problems, please help

[eagleone]

I just bought a 390 express 1985 was out cruising and was having trouble turning to the port side after making a turn to the starboard, turning the wheel to the left seem like I would have to turn the wheel 20 times to get the boat to react, not knowing this boat and how it reacts was a problem with me. I went from 24 sundancer to the 39 a lot to learn. It has tunnel drive so i know at slow speed it reacts slowly. Why does it take so much to turn one way and not the other?

 

[fwebster]

The 390EC has hydraulic steering and your helm pump is low on fluid. Get some Teleflex-SeaStar fluid and top it off then check at all the connections, hydraulic lines and the steering ram for leaks.

 

[eagleone]

thanks frank

 

[bahamabreisus]

We had a leak at the auto pilot on ours. Agreed check level and look at all fittings

 

[480ces]

When checking the fittings have someone at the helm hold the wheel hard over Port then hard over Starboard.

This will pressurize the system and make leaks very apparent. My AP pump was assembled DRY, with not thread sealant and leaked at all fittings.

 

[eagleone]

thanks everyone for the info it took about inch and a half of fluid from a quart. We didn't find any leaks so that is not good because the oil had to go some where. thanks again Jim

 

[fwebster]

More than likely, the seal in the end of the steering ram at the transom is leaking. There is an article on the ram and its problems at the CSR home page. Look about 1/2 way down for the articles.

 

[rondds]

Are the only points for leakage at either the helm, the ram or the autopilot (which is near the ram??)