Upper helm steering problems

[mlthomas]

A littel while ago I noticed oil around the steering ram in the lazorette, but all seemed to be fine. However when we were out at the weekend the upper helm is decidedly lumpy. I also got an error on the autohelm (should have taken more notice of what it said).
Sterring from the lower helm was fine and the lower helm autohelm worked fine too.
So I think I must have a bit of a leak - any ideas on what the steering oil would be and where do I put it in? (Jeanneau Prestige 32)?

 

[Bandit]

You will need to find the leak at some stage and either tighten up or replace the connectors in the lazarette.

Normally either both or the upper helm pump units have a small brassnut on them , remove the upper one ( flybridge) and get a really small funnel and top it up slowly with ATF automatic transmission fluid while turning the wheel from far left to far right and Vice Versa.

When its full mop up any oil you have spilt ( you will have ) clean the drips on the bottle ( it will drip) secure the bottle and store upright in a seperate container as at the slightest oportunity it will leak.

You will need dome rags and kitchen roll.

 

[hlb]

Mine has a filler bottle in the lazerete and a bike pump to pump it up to preasure.

Which ever system.Your loosing oil. The upper helm will be the first affected, then probably the down stairs helm, then the auto pilot.

 

[mlthomas]

Thanks for the replies
I have been to the boat tonight and cleaned the oil from under the ram, and cleaned the ram so I hope any leak will show very quickly.
I read sometime ago on a post that nappies work well for oil spills - they do!
Followed the lines, one from each end of the ram back to what I assume is the Raymarine autohelm active bit (12v motor in it) then two pipes off to each helm.
Looked at the helm and the back seems a sealed unit and the front has a small (12mm or so) 'stopper' on the top just behind the wheel, so I presume this is where I top up.

 

[oceandrive]

Yep thats the one. Usualy directly infront of the wheel. on the top. As said by Bandit may be worth starting which ever engine runs the power stearing. and then go for a second top up. after doing what Bandit sugests. Watch the teak! get a bucket of soapy water ( Fairy liquid loads of and brush around the area under the helm. any spilt oil will lay ontop and not absorb.

Hope it helps and good luck