1985 10 Meter International Exp. - Bleeding Hydro Steering

[Crazy Yankee]

Had a fitting on my auto pilot crack over the Winter. We were told by 4 Raymarine installers that they have never seen that fitting crack. Go figure!

So, that fitting has been replaced but the reservoir took about a Qt of Hydro steering fluid. I have to give a shout out to Bob @ Beacon for a little help on 'How to bleed the system'. With that being said I am still losing steering every once and a while. My question is:

While bleeding the system do I back off the two nuts below the reservoir to let out the air? Or do I have to unscrew the refill cap on the top too? I did both, and it has gotten me to this point, but there is some air left. Is this a lengthy process? Am I doing something wrong?

[Stripermann2]

Not sure if this set-up is like others with the fill hole at the steering wheel helm. Air always rise to the top, so bleeding anything below will just induce air into the system. You should just be able to add fluid, turn wheel lock to lock several times to bleed then cap off once you're topped off.

[Crazy Yankee]

Thanks for the response. I have nothing at the helm on the steering wheel.

[prowlersfish]

PM me you email and I will send you the info , to large of a file to post it .

[koviak]

There are (2) air bleed screws located at the bottom of the reservoir, find these first. Turn the helm slowly in (1) direction (2 to 3seconds a revolution) about 40 times.Now crack open the bleeder screws and tighten when solid oil appears.Check the oil level in the reservoir and the pressure (should be 35-40psi).
Now rotate the helm in the opposite direction, same speed 40 turns and crack open bleeder screws to get solid oil. check level and pressure again and should be good to go. Give it a full 24 hours and recheck system for leaks.

[Crazy Yankee]

PM me you email and I will send you the info , to large of a file to post it .

PM Sent

There are (2) air bleed screws located at the bottom of the reservoir, find these first. Turn the helm slowly in (1) direction (2 to 3seconds a revolution) about 40 times.Now crack open the bleeder screws and tighten when solid oil appears.Check the oil level in the reservoir and the pressure (should be 35-40psi).
Now rotate the helm in the opposite direction, same speed 40 turns and crack open bleeder screws to get solid oil. check level and pressure again and should be good to go. Give it a full 24 hours and recheck system for leaks.

I did a variation of this, but I will give your method a try. Am I doing anything with the filler cap? Keep it in or take it out? Also, you mention those bleeder screws. Mine has nuts that I can back out. Are we talking the same thing?

[koviak]

Leave the fill cap on when doing this. The bleeder screws are in the center of the nuts at the reservoir. Believe the nuts lock the screws in place, also keep the level and pressure up when doing.
It will take a few tries to bleed all the air out.

[Crazy Yankee]

Got it! I will give it a try over the next few days. It's gotten better, so I have to be doing something right.

[prowlersfish]

I sent you the info .

[Crazy Yankee]

Just got them. Thanks!