Hydraulic steering pump problems.

[aquaplane]

The boat is a Jeanneau Espace 1000 of 1982 vintage with a Vetus hydraulic wheel inside and a tiller in the cockpit. There are no numbers or marks on the steering pump that I can see. It doesn't look like the current Vetus or Wagner models.

I have had a new Autopilot fitted but have had a trial and the autopilot and inside steering positions both worked. It is suspicious that this problem has cropped up now but the autopilot work may not be the cause.

The wheel is now very light, previously I could feel some resistance, and the tiller doesn't move. I had a friend spin the wheel while I checked connections to see if the oil was pumping but leaking, no problems there. Only 10ml were needed to top up the reservoir so I wasn't surprised at that result.

I have taken the 3 hydraulic lines off the back of the pump and removed the 6 allen screws but I can't get the back off.

I'm wondering how hard I should try?

Is there any point? Can I do anything once I get the back off or is it a case of "no user serviceable parts inside".

Thanks in advance,

Bob.

 

[NormanB]

Sounds very odd.
Normally with hydraulic systems when you detect the effort to turn the wheel (or press the pedal) is much less - it is a symptom of air in the system. There should be vents at the pump end and the actuator end.

Worst case the seals in the pum elements are passing.

 

[ffiill]

These pumps are pretty failsafe and simple in their operation-a cam mounted on the shaft attached to the wheel operated in turn a series as I recall of radial cylinders which generate the hydraulic pressure.
With two steering positions there might be an issue with the control valves

 

[aquaplane]

I've found the problem, not enough oil.

When I checked it to see if it was full the dribble I got was just incontinence not an indication of being full.

It took 400ml of oil while a friend worked the wheel to fill the system.

Now to find where the oil leaking out of.

I just love emptying the cockpit lockers to climb in and limbo into the transom.

Thanks for thinking about it.

 

[NormanB]

You may have to spend a couple of hours to make sure you have purged all of the air. (Once leak rectification completed)

What can work is to put the wheel hard over and tie it off, leave for 10 minutes and then vent at pump and actuator vents.

Then wheel over the other way - repeat.

Repeat ad - nauseum until no air found.

 

[aquaplane]

There is a source of hydraulic pipes here in Tarbert.
I'll remove the short ones between the autopilot pump and the ram and get new made.
They are covered in fluid so could easy be porous.
Bleeding it all could be interesting, I might have to do a rough job and finish it when I have crew.

 

[NormanB]

Have a look at the latest posts in this thread and the owner's conclusion.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?334615-wheel-needs-18turns-from-lock-to-lock/page6

 

[aquaplane]

Thanks for that, it's a good indication as to what to do to get rid of air. PS, I only read page6.

That VAS is a good man for giving feedback too.