Helm leaking steering fluid

[hcalmar]

I acknowledge the earlier threads re fixing the o-ring on the steering shaft, I have red fluid leaking at the Helm. It is going to be interesting (very tight) working in there.
What size ring do I get and would someone mind describing just what I do to fix it. I assume I depressureize the system, take the wheel off and remove the 4 bolts to drop the box, but where does the o-ring go exactly? Are there any pictures? Thanks
Hal

 

[Genesis]

Depressurize the reservoir.

Remove the helm pump from the boat (4 bolts + hoses). The top cover comes off with a few bolts (I believe its 4). Beware as there are lots of little parts inside you don't want to lose (don't turn it over, etc)

There are TWO seal rings for the shaft - one visible at the top of the casting and one directly below it. You have to remove the cover (lifting it off the shaft) to get them out (the shaft is in the way.) The top one is a "dust cover" for the real seal ring that actually seals the pump.

Remove them, replace, lightly lubricate both rings, put top cover back on.

Replace pump, hook it back up, repressurize and bleed.

 

[Capten]

Try Gary over at Marine Control Sysytem in NC 828-369-7572 if you have additional questions or want someone to rebuild for you. He is very reasonable and offers super quick turn around. He rebuilt my leaking helm pump last week which required more than just the o-rings.

 

[hcalmar]

Karl
Do you recall what size the seals are? Can I get them at the local plumbing supply store?
Hal

 

[Genesis]

Not off the top of my head, no. I pulled the old ones and matched 'em at the local Ace Hardware. Note that the OEMs are "X" seals (basically a square seal that has two sealing surfaces .vs. an O-ring that has one) but the O-ring replacements lasted five years (boat has been sold, still not leaking) and frankly, 5 years of service life from this sort of a seal is pretty darn good!

 

[Liquid Asset]

Do any of yall know where I can get the mill spec oil for the Hynautic system and please tell me the name again. I forget, but need to have some extra before I go the Bahamas.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Any airport that sells MilSpec hydraulic oil should be able to help you out. Most of them seem to have Shell.

 

[MikeP]

It's Mil 5606B - as stated, any aviation place will have it. I got a gallon of it via the internet (can't remember where) for about 15 bucks several months ago when I did the same overhaul. Although only the lower helm was leaking, I replaced the seals on both helms, drained all the old fluid out of the system and replaced it w/new 5606. I used the Hynautic seal kits - about 25 Bucks each - 'cuz I'm anal but as Karl pointed out, regular old 99 cent o-rings will work fine.

The Hynautic seal kits contain seals that you won't use unless you disassemble the entire unit which is not necessary. You should have a diagram of the pump just in case you accidentally disassemble it!

 

[antiqua]

Which Seal Kit number did you use and where did you get it.

 

[MikeP]

If you want the "real seal kit" as opposed to figuring out what o-rings to use, first, you have to figure out which helm pump you have. Go here and look under "helms." You probably have an H20:

http://www.fishing-catalog.com/hynautics/hynautic_intro.htm

This site also has the purging instructions you will need to follow.

But note that you have to determine if you have a pre-1986 model or a post 1986 model. The kits are different. DO NOT go by the year of your boat if it is pre-'86 unless you are the first owner and know that you haven't had any work done on the steering pumps. Many were upgraded. My 1980 53MY had the post '86 helm pumps. Per the Hynautic tech guy, who I discusse this with when I replaced mine, if the helm pump top covers are gold-anodized aluminum, they are the newer versions and take the HSO2 kit. If they are silver or black top covers, they are the older version and take kit HS01.

Then you can order the seal kit here: (Note that this page is for the 02 kit, if you need the 01, search for it on the same site.

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/HYN/HYNHS02.html

 

[hcalmar]

BTW I fixed it with a $00.59 o-ring from the local hardware store.