Steering fluid loss below Helm

[Graham Lorimer]

My 2002 460 is leaking hydraulic fluid just below the helm, it looses quite a lot of fluid, and requires topping up every time I use the boat.

Has anybody had an issue with hydraulic fluid leaking from the steering unit directly below the helm, before I dive in there it would be a great help to find out what I will be looking for and maybe an indication of what the problem may be.

many thanks

Graham

 

[Bt Doctur]

From what I know about helm units they can only leak from:
cracked hose, loose fitting, cracked fitting, front seal

 

[almostenuff]

And over-servicing. I chased my tail with that for awhile


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[Knot It]

It is likely your front seal in the body of the pump. It is easy to change, I did my own last summer...about 3 hours start to beer. Watch this video and order the parts and your set.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsi0dclYKcU

I'm pretty sure friscoboater is a member on here

 

[Graham Lorimer]

Thanks Knot It

Did you change just the front / top seal or did you do a full strip and replace every seal?

Graham

 

[fwebster]

After a long layup old cold weather period, a sudden leak is usually a loose hose fitting. Before doing anything involving a tear down or ordering parts, crawl under the dash with a some paper towels and dry the helm pump and lines attached to it and then watch it to see where the oil is coming from. THe repair may be as simple as tightening a line of cutting a bad end off of an hydraulic line and reinstalling the fitting a few inches up the line.

 

[Knot It]

I replaced all the seals (o rings and gasket). Frank makes a good point check the lines first. I assumed you already did that. Mine started leaking in the summer. I did look at the lines for the leak and even tied some paper towels around them. When they kept coming up dry I searched the net for other ideas, found the video and some other info that gave me confidence to do the job my self and then fixed my problem. Model # Is on your pump body. The sea star fluid was the most expensive part of the repair if I remember correctly.

 

[h_gerry]

Well, just rebuilt my helm pump. Thanks for posting the video. It helped. Sorry I did not take any pictures while doing the rebuild but I was using the phone to watch the video. Here is the finished product.


.

About to put it back in the helm. I will let you know how that part goes.


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[Knot It]

That's the easy part...LOL. Glad it worked out for you.