Pressure in Steering System Increased

[bobk]

In May, before our trip north, I checked the steering hydraulic fluid level and pressure and added a bit of fluid and pumped it up to to 30 psi. This afternoon, I found it at 60 psi. The ER is cool. Steering along the trip and when we arrived yesterday was normal. Any ideas?

Bobk

 

[magnawake]

Now thats a big mistery.....no help, sorry.

 

[MikeP]

One of those "seems impossible" things...like cold fusion!

So who went into the ER and added pressure to the reservoir without you knowing about it?

One possibility, maybe...I wonder if a failed check valve could allow system pumping pressure into the reservoir. IOW, when you turn the wheel, the integrated pump generates pressure in the hYd lines to move the ram/rudder. That generated pressure does not get into the reservoir. If a reservoir check valve failed and the reservoir becomes "open" to the pressure in the lines, then the reservoir could become pressurized to some higher figure based on the pump pressure. It's just a thought...

 

[Pascal]

Sticky gauge when you put air in? Stuck for a while then jumped up with engine vibrations? I'd bleed the air out right away and then refill

 

[MikeP]

Probably more likely than my check valve theory!

 

[Boatsb]

Your leak is dis des dyslexic

 

[JonHupp]

For us newer owners. What is the optimal pressure for the steering system?

 

[MikeP]

Hynautic instructions that came with our 53MY says 20-30PSI.

 

[Pascal]

You just need enough pressure to push the fluid from the reservoir to the helm. 10 to 15 psi is usually enough

 

[saltshaker]

Maybe the boat is feeling stressed and needs a change of venue. I know my pressure goes up when I don't get to relax on my boat. Or you might just have a stuck or bad gauge.

 

[bobk]

Maybe the boat is feeling stressed and needs a change of venue. I know my pressure goes up when I don't get to relax on my boat. Or you might just have a stuck or bad gauge.

Already? We just got here from Florida a couple of days ago.

I'll check the gage tomorrow and report. Hopefully that's all it is.

Bobk

 

[SEVEN]

UFO's or Gremlins.

 

[captddis]

Is it possible that the fluid was over filled and with the heat from the engine room, the fluid had no where to go and built pressure. ?

 

[bobk]

Is it possible that the fluid was over filled and with the heat from the engine room, the fluid had no where to go and built pressure. ?

That would have done it, but no, it hasn't been filled in a year, it's not overfilled, and has been OK since last pressured until just now.

 

[bobk]

Well it is a bad gauge. Teleflex HP6004. Does anyone know of a local source near Baltimore? Google didn't help. Otherwise, I'll order one in the morning.

Bobk

 

[LARRY VALENTINE]

For us newer owners. What is the optimal pressure for the steering system?

My diesel mech says 15-25 is optimal pressure.. 40 might cause leaks in the copper lines or the steering mechinisms

 

[bobk]

My diesel mech says 15-25 is optimal pressure.. 40 might cause leaks in the copper lines or the steering mechinisms

Thanks Larry, my mechanic happened to be aboard for other work so I had him install the new one AND remove a bit fluid. It may have been overfilled. He reset the pressure to 25 psi.

Bobk

 

[Tim Powell]

Sticky gauge when you put air in? Stuck for a while then jumped up with engine vibrations? I'd bleed the air out right away and then refill

Just before putting this in a post this is exactly what happened to me, Replace gauge....

 

[SEVEN]

25 PSI. You might change out your gauge, that is a cheap fix if that is what is wrong.

 

[bobk]

25 PSI. You might change out your gauge, that is a cheap fix if that is what is wrong.

The gage was changed and all is good.

Bobk