Hydraulic steering fluid

[sarabande]

I have an elderly Wagner hydraulic wheel, model A-W, which has swallowed all its oil (it explains at last the less than immaculate bilge!).

The wheel turns merrily round, but the rudder blade remains steadfastly ahead.

What oil(s) can be used to top it up please ?

(The Wagner website does not seem to have any manuals for this model)

thanks

 

[rogerthebodger]

I use automatic transmission fluid in my hydralic steering

 

[pheran]

Was the old stuff red or white? Red, ATF, white hydraulic fluid.

 

[Kawasaki]

Bog standard 10w hydralic oil

 

[Bodach na mara]

Sorry to confuse the issue but there are several different hydraulic oils. The difference is viscosity. I use Vetus hydraulic oil which I got from ASAP Supplies. I have also got some from the marine engineers at the marina. The vetus system uses an oil with viscosity of "20" but your system may be different.

 

[TheBoatman]

ANY light oil will do the job. I presume your system isn't run by a powered pump, just a pump that runs when you turn the wheel?

If you would accept the corrosion factor you could run it on water if needs be.

Your problem seems to be a leak in the system that you need to fix first.

BTW ~ don't be surprised if you have to "bleed" the system when re-filling ~ look for a bleed screw on either end of the steering actuating cylinder.

Peter.