Baystar Query

[Karnic]

I bought a new Baystar Hydraulic steering system up to 150hp and im curious why everytime i check oil level from helm by unscrewing the tap a little bit of fluid comes out of the threaded hole that hold the tap. I have been checking oil regularly for this reason to see if that little bit of fluid stops "popping" out from hole. Is it normal? And from lock to lock how many steering turns should i get normally?

 

[AllanG]

From the oil overflow symptoms given, I suspect that you’ve still got air in the system, so I would carry out a full system bleed. Another thing to check is that the hydraulic cylinder is mounted the correct way up, as described in the installation manual.

Also, the normal oil level should be a few millimetres below the top of the helm filling point.

Regarding the number of wheel turns lock to lock, if I recall, on my Baystar system, which was the same model as yours, it was around 3 turns.

 

[Karnic]

From the oil overflow symptoms given, I suspect that you’ve still got air in the system, so I would carry out a full system bleed. Another thing to check is that the hydraulic cylinder is mounted the correct way up, as described in the installation manual.

Also, the normal oil level should be a few millimetres below the top of the helm filling point.

Regarding the number of wheel turns lock to lock, if I recall, on my Baystar system, which was the same model as yours, it was around 3 turns.

Oil level seems to be overfilled a bit as when i open the check level point/filling point a few fluid seeps out of the hole. When i turn wheel level seems to do down by a few mm and settles. However when i open tap again same issue occurs. Will try to contact Baystar. Lock to lock i turn wheel 5 times exactly.

 

[Rappey]

i check oil level from helm by unscrewing the tap

The tap? I assume the screw on cap. It can also be a pressure release valve . the fulid rises under rotaion of helm and with bouncing off wavetops fluid can sit in the holes in cap to leak out when unscrewed?
Is this what you have?
Baystar, seastar and teleflex are owned by dometic !

 

[Karnic]

The tap? I assume the screw on cap. It can also be a pressure release valve . the fulid rises under rotaion of helm and with bouncing off wavetops fluid can sit in the holes in cap to leak out when unscrewed?
Is this what you have?
Baystar, seastar and teleflex are owned by dometic !

Yes the screw on cap i meant. What i have is that when in garage i open the screw on cap oil seems to be overfilled and leaks from the hole. Only a little bit though but its noticeable and i have to have a cloth ready to wipe oil from helm . I assumed it was maybe a bit overfilled and will settle by time but everytime i screw out the cap same issue arises.

 

[Rappey]

How much fluid is coming out when you unscrew the "filler hole" ? Googled it and it's a fill cap. I didn't know either.
If it's just a drip or two then possibly fluid in cap. If it comes out like it's over filled then most likely as AllenG says , air in system.
If you turn the wheel with the cap off when full the fluid can rise.
How often are you checking it ? I wouldn't have thought it's an item to check every outing. If the fluid does leak somewhere the warning you get is that steering needs extra turns and doesn't respond as quick when in use. It's not something that suddenly stops working .

 

[Karnic]

How much fluid is coming out when you unscrew the "filler hole" ? Googled it and it's a fill cap. I didn't know either.
If it's just a drip or two then possibly fluid in cap. If it comes out like it's over filled then most likely as AllenG says , air in system.
If you turn the wheel with the cap off when full the fluid can rise.
How often are you checking it ? I wouldn't have thought it's an item to check every outing. If the fluid does leak somewhere the warning you get is that steering needs extra turns and doesn't respond as quick when in use. It's not something that suddenly stops working .

thanks all for your help. As i unscrew cap, oil seems to pop out just like its overfilled but minimal , but i have to wipe helm with a cloth cause it leaks from the cap hole. Then it seems to settle. As i turn wheel and notice fluid, it fluctuates up and down a little bit but oil is always visible in hole. I am simply checking because i assumed that if its overfilled issue wont repeat as extra fluid ( overfill ) has gone out. But if i check again issue repeats itself. Thats why im a bit curious. Maybe a bit of air is still working its way out? Otherwise no extra turns and smooth. Just curious whats causing issue or if its normal or not. If air is still present will it work its way out by time or i have to do the bleeding issue again?

 

[Rappey]

I had similar on an outboard steering system. I bled it to death and it still kept pushing a small amount out whenever I opened the fill Cap.
When fitted to a yacht or cabin boat the instructions say pipes should travel uphill to the helm so every lock to lock will bleed the system.
On a rib or similar it's not possible.
Since there were no leaks on the back of the helm unit or ram I just stopped undoing the cap !
I worked on the assumption that eventually the air would work it's way to the helm and be bled. It did work after a whole summer .

 

[Karnic]

I had similar on an outboard steering system. I bled it to death and it still kept pushing a small amount out whenever I opened the fill Cap.
When fitted to a yacht or cabin boat the instructions say pipes should travel uphill to the helm so every lock to lock will bleed the system.
On a rib or similar it's not possible.
Since there were no leaks on the back of the helm unit or ram I just stopped undoing the cap !
I worked on the assumption that eventually the air would work it's way to the helm and be bled. It did work after a whole summer .

Thanks Mate. Yes hoses travel uphill to helm. Exact issue as soon as i open cap ( everytime ) a little bit of fluid is pushed outside. No visible leaks fingers crossed and i will take your assumption cause honestly thats what my assumption was. Thanks again.