Steering packed up...help!

[crazy4557]

First trip out today in glorious weather turns into a PITA.

Steering has gone very light and rudders point slightly to starboard as you go along which is great if you want to round and round in circles
If you turn the wheel furiously to port then the boat turns to port but then rudders naturally goes back to facing starboard unless you keep turning the wheel so it must be losing pressure or something in the system.
Returning back to the marina was interesting with heavy traffic to contend with but using only throttles worked but the boat just wants to turn right all the time which is a little offputting.
I've checked under the helm but can't see any leaks nor where the steering gear is on the inside of the transom, no obvious fluid loss.
Back on the berth and the rudders have gone hard to starboard and you cannot turn the wheel any further but it will turn to port but now the rudders don't move at all.
Does this sound like pump failure?

 

[johnwest]

I presume your boat is a Cat ?

j

 

[david_bagshaw]

auto pilot on ? or valves stuck open.

lack of fluid.?

 

[PCUK]

Pumps don't fail. they just need servicing. First check is the fluid level, maybe it has been getting low for years and only just reached the poit of no return.

 

[crazy4557]

I presume your boat is a Cat ?

j

Fairline Targa 43, should have said!

 

[crazy4557]

Pumps don't fail. they just need servicing. First check is the fluid level, maybe it has been getting low for years and only just reached the poit of no return.

My thoughts but system just bled by engineer after the dash was refitted. Possibly that has something to do with it?
Pipe is full of fluid where it goes into the pump below the steering wheel, no bubbles or air can be seen, I presume that would be the pump?

 

[Bandit]

I assume you are on shafts and not outdrives.

On the helm unit, that is the pump and you turn it manually not pas, on top of the helm unit just below the steering wheel is a small plastic screw in bung, open that if you see red hydraulic oil with vanes below that is ok if no oil you will need to top up carefully either a small funnel or preferably a hose with a screw in cap to fit the hole where the bung was going to a funnel or a bottle, like for bleeding brakes. Top it up an see how you go. Watch out hydraulic oil gets everywhere and it stains.

Normally if there is a leek its by the helm or by the rams in the rudder flat.

The autopilot also has a valve to cut the wheel out of the circuit when engaged.

 

[crazy4557]

I assume you are on shafts and not outdrives.

On the helm unit, that is the pump and you turn it manually not pas, on top of the helm unit just below the steering wheel is a small plastic screw in bung, open that if you see red hydraulic oil with vanes below that is ok if no oil you will need to top up carefully either a small funnel or preferably a hose with a screw in cap to fit the hole where the bung was going to a funnel or a bottle, like for bleeding brakes. Top it up an see how you go. Watch out hydraulic oil gets everywhere and it stains.

Normally if there is a leek its by the helm or by the rams in the rudder flat.

The autopilot also has a valve to cut the wheel out of the circuit when engaged.

I checked that cap and prised it off but it seemed to be under pressure which is odd. The autopilot was on standby and hasn't been used but I switched on and off and that seemed to fix the problem

So it seems my autopilot needs attention, anyone in the Lymington area that comes recommended for this sort of problem?

Bandit, thanks for the pointer...

 

[volvopaul]

Reading your post now andy, I'd say your pilot was in drive not standby the fact the rudders were hard over later on says that the compass on the pilot was telling the pump to pump fluid to maintain a heading. I'd say it's down to winter gremlins on the electrics , switching it on and off a few times may solve it without the aid of anyone charging mega bucks to find something that isn't there now. The fact the wheel went light tells me the pilot bypass valve was open not allowing you to manually steer. Draining of the fluid would allow air into the system . You really should have sea trialed after engaging the pilot and topping up en test, just like commission of a new pilot system.

 

[bbriansim]

Andy I have same prob on my Targa, I think its the auto pilot valve, auto pilot works fine but standby steering very heavy like still on auto.

 

[crazy4557]

Reading your post now andy, I'd say your pilot was in drive not standby the fact the rudders were hard over later on says that the compass on the pilot was telling the pump to pump fluid to maintain a heading. I'd say it's down to winter gremlins on the electrics , switching it on and off a few times may solve it without the aid of anyone charging mega bucks to find something that isn't there now. The fact the wheel went light tells me the pilot bypass valve was open not allowing you to manually steer. Draining of the fluid would allow air into the system . You really should have sea trialed after engaging the pilot and topping up en test, just like commission of a new pilot system.

Paul, the autopilot compass has been awry since I got the boat and as I never use it I'd forgotten about its problem. Strange that it had influenced the steering without being used at all but it won't catch me out in the future as I know when it throws a strop now. I would like to get it fixed though as its on 'the list' hence asking for anyone locally who might be able to fix.

 

[crazy4557]

Andy I have same prob on my Targa, I think its the auto pilot valve, auto pilot works fine but standby steering very heavy like still on auto.

My problem was the opposite as the steering was very very light rather than your symptoms, sounds like yours is sticking 'on'. Mine has done that for about 2-3 seconds after switching to standby then goes off and back to normal manual control.