Sea Star Hydraulic Steering Maintenance

[Madd Catter]

I am new to the community as well as the new owner of a 1982 Wellcraft V20 Steplift. My boat is in fabulous condition for its age and even though I haven't put it in the water yet I love it. I bought it knowing that I would need to do some work on her before launching. I have owned several boats in my lifetime but have never owned one with hydraulic steering. As it is there is no response from turning the wheel. I haven't been able to find information that tells me anything for this particular system. Will regular automotive power steering fliud work in this system? Which sight window do I use on the tank and what level should the fluid come to? Also I've been told the system may need to have air bubbles bled out and that it should then be preassurized to 15lbs. but I'm not familiar with how to go about this. Can someone please tell me what I need to do to get it working properly? Thanks in advance!

[spareparts]

Thats an old hynautic system(sea star bought them out), works good as long as it has pressure in the can. Use a manual bicycle pump with a quick connect. There is a sight glass on the side, add fluid to the top of the range(unscrew the big plug that holds the Scharder valve to add fluid), using the bicycle pump, add air till about 14-18npsi, quickly remove the pump, you shoudl have steering now. Check the reservoir and Schrader valve for air leaks with soapy water. Keep that air pump on board the boat, if you loose air pressure, you loose steering

[Madd Catter]

Thank you for replying. May I ask what type of fliud I should use? Also there are 2 sight glasses, one above the other. Which one do I use to get the proper level?

[Madd Catter]

Thanks for setting me straight on the hynautic system. I was able to find proper detailed instructions. Hopefully with that I can get her going today. I can't wait to get this girl in the water!

[Blue_Runner]

I have a Seastar system but not the older Hynautic system. I use Seastar Hydraulic Steering fluid. Sounds like you can use other stuff in an emergency but the system is expensive enough and important enough IMO to use what they recommend.

Found this online:

What type of fluid goes in a sea star steering system?
Teleflex recommends you use only SeaStar fluid or Mil 6606H hydraulic fluid. In emergencies, you can use ATF. In extreme emergencies you can use any non flammable fluid.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Pretty sure the hynautic system uses atf, not seastar fluid. There is also an aluminum block where 2 lines go in and 2 out with brass screws in it. This is used for bleeding the air out. I wish you luck, I never had any luck with them myself.