Baystar Hydraulic steering fluid level

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Karnic

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Hi All. Sorry to open another thread re same issue but couldnt understand issue and wandering whats causing issue if its normal or not.. How come that after boat sits in water for 2 days , before operating boat i check fluid level and fluid seems to seep out a little bit like when it is overfilled ( Only a little bit ). After a ride i re check fluid level and level would get low that can be seen only( visible) if i turn steering. If i go back day after before operating boat fluid level seems to go up and maybe seeps out a bit from hole. I may sound a bit strange but honestly wish to understand what causes this flactuation of fluid level?
 
Heat will expand the hydraulic oil a bit, but id you have any air bubbles in the system the air in the bubbles will also expand and push the oil out.
 
the helm is a pump.

when you’re using it.....the oil is pushed down the lines to the ram....therefore the pressure in the lines is higher and the oil level in the helm drops.

it then makes sense (in my head) that when sat....the pressure will equalise over time Between the lines and the head thus the oil level will go up.

All based on my thoughts rather than fact ?
 
Rogershaw said:
Heat will expand the hydraulic oil a bit, but id you have any air bubbles in the system the air in the bubbles will also expand and push the oil out.
Click to expand...
Rogershaw said:
Heat will expand the hydraulic oil a bit, but id you have any air bubbles in the system the air in the bubbles will also expand and push the oil out.
Click to expand...
Thanks. If any air is present will it work itself out by use?
 
FARSCO said:
the helm is a pump.

when you’re using it.....the oil is pushed down the lines to the ram....therefore the pressure in the lines is higher and the oil level in the helm drops.

it then makes sense (in my head) that when sat....the pressure will equalise over time Between the lines and the head thus the oil level will go up.

All based on my thoughts rather than fact ?
Click to expand...
Honestly that was also my assumption but would like if someone who is technical would confirm our assumption:). Im not technical but issue was making me wandering whats happening:)
 
I have no idea on your system exactly how it works, but I would expect the oil reservoir level to fluctuate depending on where the steering ram is positioned. Full out, full in, halfway etc. I have noticed this on my leg trim reservoir, my hydraulic assist steering reservoir and trim tabs. Not huge amounts but there is a marked difference

EDIT. i.e. are you checking when the ram is always in the same place
 
Karnic said:
Honestly that was also my assumption but would like if someone who is technical would confirm our assumption:). Im not technical but issue was making me wandering whats happening:)
Click to expand...

Do consider that hydraulic oil is almost incompressible by design so the it will happen but to a very small extent .

Air of cause is compressible so if there is any air in the system you will see and effect and how much depends on how much air is trapped in the lines
 
If you turn your steering you will see the oil level drop, stop turning and it goes back up.
I would go with farsco,s explanation.. The pipes are often a reinforced type of plastic, they could expand slightly under pressure leading to a reduced lever whilst under load..
As long as your not continually topping it up then i cant see there is any problem..
Purging air is done by going lock to lock so in use any remaining air should eventually work its way out..
If you have an autopilot thats another reservoir to expand contract?
Again, all thoughts rather than written facts.
 
BruceK said:
I have no idea on your system exactly how it works, but I would expect the oil reservoir level to fluctuate depending on where the steering ram is positioned. Full out, full in, halfway etc. I have noticed this on my leg trim reservoir, my hydraulic assist steering reservoir and trim tabs. Not huge amounts but there is a marked difference

EDIT. i.e. are you checking when the ram is always in the same place
Click to expand...
Yes i always check level when OB is in the middle( halfway) and lowered always.
 
Rogershaw said:
Do consider that hydraulic oil is almost incompressible by design so the it will happen but to a very small extent .

Air of cause is compressible so if there is any air in the system you will see and effect and how much depends on how much air is trapped in the lines
Click to expand...
I think there is some air in system but not quite sure. If air is present will it work its way out by use? I tried my best to bleed it correctly but as this is happening im wandering if i did it 100% and im assuming there is some air still left. As said my concern is somehow conflicting . After a few days not using boat when i open fill cap it is full up and i can hear like a hiss sound when cap is released whilst after a ride i re open cap and see level all the way down. Issue is repeating itself consistently .
 
Rappey said:
If you turn your steering you will see the oil level drop, stop turning and it goes back up.
I would go with farsco,s explanation.. The pipes are often a reinforced type of plastic, they could expand slightly under pressure leading to a reduced lever whilst under load..
As long as your not continually topping it up then i cant see there is any problem..
Purging air is done by going lock to lock so in use any remaining air should eventually work its way out..
If you have an autopilot thats another reservoir to expand contract?
Again, all thoughts rather than written facts.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Thats what happenning and thats my dilemma if i should top up after a ride to see what happens. I tried once to top up after a ride ie when level was down but it only held a few mm's and was overfilled. So i assumed it is full up then. Closed cap went for another ride level went down again. Let the boat sit few days and went again, opened cap and oil seeped out like overfilled. Im assuming some air is present but not quite sure. Thanks always. No autopilot.
 
Jamie Dundee said:
Like a vibration when you turn the wheel, not smooth.
Click to expand...
No steering seems smooth. 5 and a half turns from lock to lock. Correct? Always had cable steerings before. Feel of steering is different. hydraulic is lighter and easier while underway to manouvre, but honestly when docking and when manouvering in sharp turns round other boats i prefer the cable one.
 
Karnic said:
No steering seems smooth. 5 and a half turns from lock to lock. Correct? Always had cable steerings before. Feel of steering is different. hydraulic is lighter and easier while underway to manouvre, but honestly when docking and when manouvering in sharp turns round other boats i prefer the cable one.
Click to expand...
The Baystar on my last boat was 3 turns lock to lock. You can find the manuals here SeaStar Solutions troubleshooting below.
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