steering fluid on teleflex steering system?

[rico750]

the boat i just bought has a teleflex hydraulic steerng system mounted. i found the oil fill cap at the steering wheel. Does anyone know when it's time to fill it and or how to check the level and does the oil need regular replacement?

Thanks

Rik

[boatsteeringrebuilders]

Rik, If the helm is mounted at an angle on the dash, the oil level should be within 1/4" of the bottom of the threads where the cap screws in. If it is mounted horizontally, the level should be at the bottom of the threads. It is a good idea to change out the oil and flush the system every couple of years to prevent leakage and helm pump problems

[pmgoffjr]

Mystik 30W non-detergent is what's used in it.

[boatsteeringrebuilders]

You should only use SeaStar hydraulic oil to fill the system

[pmgoffjr]

That mystic product is exactly what they use..

[20_lb_sack]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by pmgoffjr &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">That mystic product is exactly what they use..

</td></tr></table>

Is that an oil or hydraulic fluid? Never heard of different weights of hydraulic fluid.

[pmgoffjr]

That's what it is, if you add dye to it you get to double the price.

[20_lb_sack]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by pmgoffjr &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">That's what it is, if you add dye to it you get to double the price.

</td></tr></table>
Mines clear.

[pmgoffjr]

Most hydraulic fluid you buy is red, sometimes clear, it's all the same basic product, non detergent oil. Sea Star repackages Mystic 30W for their fluid. It's not anything super special, but they get to make a few coins for the package.

[boatsteeringrebuilders]

Question, How did you learn that Seastar repackages Mystik 30 W motor oil for their steering oil? I have never heard that before, Thanks

[ChobeeBassChaser]

[pmgoffjr]

Call them up and ask them....that's how I found out.

[basspastor]

Tractor Hydralic oil works great in my Sea Star Hyd. steering system.........

[martinbs]

Unless they have changed in the past couple years, it is not 30w oil from Mystik. The MSDS I seen shows it is manufactured by Fuchs and is ISO 15 hydraulic oil which I believe is what most spindle oil is.

30w oil is equivalent to ISO 100 (would be very stiff in cold weather). ISO 15 is about 2-3w oil. I seriously doubt that Seastar told you their HA5430 steering fluid is repackaged 30w oil. Why would they not tell people to use that in an emergency instead of ATF? I am calling BS on this one until I or someone else calls Seastar and gets told the same thing.

And any I have seen is not red, it is close to clear (light yellow).

[Tom Rollins]

I've got a bottle from Sea Star that is red.

[Fatshaft Merc]

This is from their spec sheet in the FAQ's.

4. What kind of oil should I
use in my SeaStar system?


Recommended oils for your steering system are:
SeaStar Fluid, P/N HA5430 (1 quart), HA5440
(1 gallon). The following brands are acceptable:
Chevron® Aviation Hydraulic Fluid A, Esso® Univis
N15 or J13, Mobil® Aero HFA, Petro Canada
Harmony HV115 (in Canada only), Shell® Aero
Fluid #41, Texaco® HO15 and other fluids meeting
MIL SPEC H-5606-G.

Automatic transmission fluid (Dexron II®) may be
used in an emergency.

Never use brake fluid. Any
non-approved fluid may cause irreparable damage,
loss of steering, and cancellation of warranty.

In cases of extreme emergency any non toxic,
nonflammable fluid may provide temporary steering.
Generally, 2 quarts are required for single station,
single cylinder filling.

Add one quart per additional
station or cylinder.

Please note that SeaStar Capilano systems use
Dexron II ATF, not SeaStar steering fluid.

[bronzejunkie]

Hydraulic fluid IS oil. You can get conventional or synthetic, just like your car. Clear oil is typical in lighter wieght oils because of the level of refinement it goes through. Red is just a dye that's added as a visual aid.
Hydraulic oil typically goes from ISO 10 up to 68 depending on its use.
ISO 10- 1-2W equiv.
22- 5W equiv.
32- 10W
46- 15W
68- 20W
100- 30W

The higher the number, the higher the viscosity. The only difference with a higher visc. oil will be that steering would feel more snug or stiff.
You could talk all day about the properties and differences but really, any hydraulic oil/fluid is fine.
Just don't mix different weights.
Flush the entire system if you want to change viscosity.

With all that said, factory recommendations are there for a reason!


Modified by bronzejunkie at 2:40 AM 11/2/2011

[garnerac]

Ive got half a wheel play in mine. It was quite a handful at Amistad last week! What do i do to fix this? Teleflex HC5345 on my Stratos BB

[mdtritn21]

You've got air in the lines and it will have to be purged. You'll have to bleed the system. Google (bleeding sea star hydraulic steering) and there is at least 10 different items that show how to do it.


Modified by mdtritn21 at 4:56 PM 3/20/2012