Baystar Hydraulic steering top-up

[hztf1k]

I have a Yamaha 115 with Baystar hydraulic steering. It has becoming a bit 'notchy' and I'm told the hydraulic fluid needs topping-up. Is it simply a matter of pouring fluid into the inlet at the top of the steering hub? Is Quickilver Power Trim & Steering Fluid OK to use?

[Mbryant]

I have exactly the same problem, on the same engine but yes Quiksilver oil does the job for us.

Recently I have found that it needs topping up more regularly, frustratingly so. I'm looking into getting an airtight seal for it in the hope it will solve the problem.

[Nasher]

If the level has dropped to the point where it feels 'notchy' then you should really bleed the system to get any air out that may have been pumped down the pipes.

I'd be a bit concerned where the fluid has gone, a leak will only get worse.

If you need any help bleeding it let me know, I'm only in Clanfield.

Nasher.

[jyasaki]

Notchy means air in the lines. The jerkiness of response is due to the air compressing, then re-expanding when things move, and starting over.

Not really hard to bleed, but can be a little messy if you don't come up with something to handle the fluid. You can find the procedure at the Teleflex website.

Assuming all the hose connections are sound, there's only about 3 places you can lose fluid (and these leak fairly often): the two seals on the ram (assuming you have a center mounted ram; you could have a single seal, I think) and the helm steering shaft seal. They're all pretty easy to replace, though the OEM parts are pretty expensive (for what they are.)

jky

[Blizzard]

I would check to see if you have any pitting on the shaft at the engine end.
Also check your oil to see if its as new or dark and mirky....

[jyasaki]

One other trick if you're trying to get air out of the system (Seastar, but should be the same):

Once you get everything squared away (filled, bled, whatever else you're doing to it), Put the fill cap on, turn the wheel to full lock one direction, then crank on it and turn it a bit more (you want to open the spring-loaded overpressure relief valve.) Then whip the wheel off and back onto lock several times (a half a turn or what's comfortable, about a half dozen times.) Give it a few seconds, then turn to the other end of travel and repeat.

When I replaced my steering fluid, I got probably another 30cc or so of air out of the system by doing this.

jky