DP290 Leg (hydraulics) kicks up in reverse

[Shibby84]

Hi all. Iv got a mystery with the leg of my Sealine s23. Kad32 with a 290 DP hydraulics rams. Leg comes up to beach mode +38 not a problem and holds. Leg drops to -4 not problem. Gear selections fine also. Going forward not a problem. When at Full power can go to -5 on the gauge. All good so far.

In reverse the leg springs up to positive 9 or more. However if I catch it right and trim down whilst in reverse and let go of the trim button it holds? Oil levels are fine and like I mentioned the ram is going up fine. I don’t believe this leg has a catch like the older version so not sure where to start. Any ideas welcome.

 

[madabouttheboat]

You probably don't have a 290DP, more likely a DP-D or DP-E. Worth noting as the 290 does have a reverse latch system combined with hydraulic rams.

On that basis I would say you have an issue with the hydraulics. Is the fluid level good? Is it a nice cherry red or pink like strawberry milkshake? Do you have any leaks from the rams themselves?

 

[Shibby84]

Hi, fluid level is good and the colour looks good to me. I had to change a ram seal over winter as it had been leaking. I haven’t seen any oil from the stern or drop in level. I would assume if it had a leak it wouldn’t hold the beach mode? Where I am there is a possibility of drying out so have to leave her up all the time.

 

[ralph s3]

Watching. I have the same problem, also kad32 with DPE. The leg also holds when lifted. Just seems to move to around +5 to +10.

 

[Shibby84]

Update on my headache. Changed all seals this evening and everything went well. Problem I have now is the leg is dropping? So from beach mode (40) she will drop, sometimes to 32 and something to 23 and then hold. Take back up and she will drop to a different number. If I push the leg down where she holds it will go down but pops back up so I know there is pressure there.
If anyone has any advice or suggestions that would be great.

fluid is topped up, sounds like all the air is gone from the system.

 

[Yngmar]

If I push the leg down where she holds it will go down but pops back up so I know there is pressure there.

That is a typical sign of a gas (air) bubble in hydraulics. The whole idea of hydraulics is that the fluid isn't compressible, so there is no bouncing back. But if there is gas in the system, when you push it down you compress the gas. As soon as you release it expands again and pops the cylinder back out. I'd say you almost certainly still have some air in there.

 

[Shibby84]

Thank you Yngmar. Thankfully I live close to the boat. Just been down there and the leg remained at 32 overnight with no leaks from the caps etc.

What would you suggest the best point of bleeding be, the rams or the pump?

 

[Yngmar]

The gas will usually end up at the highest point(s), so that's where you need to bleed. Don't know the drive at all, but it looks like it might be the point where the hydraulic hose attaches to the inside of the ram? It can get trapped at bends and valves too.

 

[trilogy3]

Hi all. Iv got a mystery with the leg of my Sealine s23. Kad32 with a 290 DP hydraulics rams. Leg comes up to beach mode +38 not a problem and holds. Leg drops to -4 not problem. Gear selections fine also. Going forward not a problem. When at Full power can go to -5 on the gauge. All good so far.

In reverse the leg springs up to positive 9 or more. However if I catch it right and trim down whilst in reverse and let go of the trim button it holds? Oil levels are fine and like I mentioned the ram is going up fine. I don’t believe this leg has a catch like the older version so not sure where to start. Any ideas welcome.

Hi Shibby84

Did you manage to sort this leg issue?