hydraulic steering - what oil?

[dalex]

Apologies in advance for the dull post.
What do you folks pour into the helm pumps?
Do you ever check the level?
Mine are Teleflex-Morse Seastar 1's. The website quotes aviation hydraulic oil but I dont recall seeing that stuff anywhere in the uk.
The website says an alternative is Dexron 2 but says steering performance will be impaired if you use this. They also say that in an emergency, any non-toxic, non-volatile fluid can be used.
What are your thoughts on this please?

 

[DoubleVision]

I have a Seastar system and use normal automotive automatic transmission fluid. If its good enough for the power steering and gearbox in my car its good enough for the boat I recon. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[pheran]

Not a very scientific answer but in all the boats I have had, the hydraulic fluid has been either red or white. I just establish which and top up with a drop of the same. Shouldn't need to do so often - a drop in level usually indicates a leak somewhere in the system.

 

[peterb26]

Every boat of mine has had ATF in the hydraulic steering.
Since its red, it should be obvious if that is what is in yours.

 

[andyball]

atf will work - you may find the steering a little heavier than it should be. Depends what viscosity fluid the makers recommend . Vetus specify 22 for example, whereas I think atf is typically 35'ish.

My vetus system runs fine w/atf - altho in really cold periods it's slightly noticeable that a lighter weight'd be better praps.

 

[John_d_Smith]

Mine uses Hydraulic oil which is clear and is described on the can as type 15, not sure if this means 15cst but it's definately not ATF in mine.

 

[PCUK]

Look in Yellow pages for your local hydraulic agent. I use hydraulic jack oil. Check the colour before as suggested. If oil coloured, use jack oil.

 

[dalex]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I never thought to check the colour of the oil. The steering does feel a little heavy considering I have power steering. I'll dip the oil and see what the colour it is as it's a bit too far down to see with mk 1 eyeball.
I only thought to check it as the steering seemed a bit different in the number of turns from left to right compared to the opposite direction.