Hynautic Air Pressure

[Artzco]

I learned something today and I thought I would pass it on even though many of you may know it. WHen I bought the boat last year, the steering ram was leaking and the system would not hold air pressure. I had the local Hynautic shop rebuild the ram and after installing, everything worked fine except it still would not maintain air pressure. I replaced the O ring, tightened and still would not hold pressure. I went back and explained my problem to the Tech and he said to remove the air pressure fill valve from the reservoir fill cap, clean the threads and put on a good coat of Blue Loctite, tighten good and let it set for 24 hours and then fill to correct pressure. The Tech said over the years, the sealant dries out and will allow air to go past the threads.

Good news is it has been 3 weeks and I haven't lost a single pound of pressure. Sure nice when something works.

 

[micky]

How many pounds of pressure did you use on your system?? Ive heard 25-30 is what it uses.

 

[Beckytek]

My reservoir specifies 20 PSI.

 

[MikeP]

There is a wide range of pressures stated in various instructions but it's worth being aware that reservoir pressure has no effect at all on steering effort. So using say 15 PSI instead of 30 PSI makes no difference in function.

 

[captddis]

So you locktited the filler cap?? The o ring is what seals the filler.

 

[Artzco]

So you locktited the filler cap?? The o ring is what seals the filler.

No. As I explained, i replaced the O ring on the filler cap. The loctite goes on the thread of the air fill valve that is screwed into the filler cap.

 

[Finalee]

It must be the threads of the schraeder valve being refered to. And that makes sense. Another good reason to change valve stems every tire change.

 

[bigbill]

just change the schrader next time it has a rubber seal on it

 

[Xmeter]

I thought all the schrader valves had a little seal on them.... So why the blue loctite?
If they leak you just install a new one as they are very inexpensive.
The loctite is a threadlocker, not a sealer. Was your valve vibrating loose?
I'm confused.

 

[MikeP]

Agree - I don't see why loctite would be used with this particular assembly. The valve has it's own seal and loctite (or lactate, as my computer's auto-correction keeps insisting!) has no function/benefit here.

"the Tech said "

Once again I continue to wonder about the qualifications/knowledge of "professionals," self-proclaimed or otherwise.

 

[Artzco]

Agree - I don't see why loctite would be used with this particular assembly. The valve has it's own seal and loctite (or lactate, as my computer's auto-correction keeps insisting!) has no function/benefit here.

"the Tech said "

Once again I continue to wonder about the qualifications/knowledge of "professionals," self-proclaimed or otherwise.

Well, I trust the technician who has a Proven track record with the factory authorized dealer who rebuilds Hynautic vs unproven recommendations. I'll be careful in sharing future info.

 

[Avenger]

Agree - I don't see why loctite would be used with this particular assembly. The valve has it's own seal and loctite (or lactate, as my computer's auto-correction keeps insisting!) has no function/benefit here.

"the Tech said "

Once again I continue to wonder about the qualifications/knowledge of "professionals," self-proclaimed or otherwise.

It's good enough.

Loctite will fill the voids in the threads and create a low pressure seal that's adequate as a quick fix with stuff that's probably on hand.

Or have you never coupled two combination wrenches together instead of buying a longer breaker-bar?

 

[MikeP]

I apologize for my catty remark; it was inappropriate. I had just finished a shouting match with a "professional" and I allowed that to color my remarks.

If you trust the guy/like his work; that's all that matters.

If he likes using loctite for the purpose described, what the heck? In my OPINION, the worst anyone could suggest is that it's overkill; the fittings concerned sure as heck won't leak! It's an excellent thread sealer as well as a thread locker. And, as the saying goes, internet opinions are worth exactly what you pay for them.

 

[Artzco]

Since the Schraeder valve is simply metal threads screwed into metal threads of the fill cap, it is still prone to leak if there are any distortions of the threaded surfaces. The new valves only come without any kind of seal. The reason for Blue Loctite is it seals but is removable. I've used it for as long as I can remember with perfect results and I've been around for a long time...

 

[Avenger]

Mike, my comment wasn't intended as a snipe, and I didn't consider your comment catty. Actually, around here that was fairly tame.

It was only an observation that sometimes we do unconventional things and frequently we consider how clever our solutions were. I just didn't think it was a bad idea.