Bleeding Hydraulic Steering Lines in a Basscat

[Dan]

Anybody have any tips on bleeding the air out of the hydraulic steering on my Basscat Jag?

[Cy]

Dan, what kind of power steering unit is it...Seastar?

[Potter]

Go to the BCB web site (owners board).  You will get information.



Potter

[thedude]

i just did it on my seastar...  you need to borrow cy's little brake-bleeder contraption. 

[Dan]

Yep, it's a seastar. I talked to a mechanic who told me to try to bleed it myself first just by adding the fluid and turning the wheel back and forth. He had a contraption he used. Look like a lower unit pump but in reverse. He would screw the connector on and then fill the plastic bottle that was cut in half with hydraulic fluid and then work the wheel back and forth. Tomorrow I plan on looking at the orifice to see if I can find a connector and make my own little deal. Is that what you have done Cy?

[Cy]

The thing thedude is talking about is called a hand vacuum pump.  You need to attach and bottle of Seastar oil to the unit at the helm and attach the pump to directly to the bleeder and pump out the fluid and any air bubbles.  This is the quickest way to bleed the system and you can do it by yourself.

The other option to bleed it you will need a helper. 
1.  Connect the oil bottle to the helm with supplied hose and connectors.  Hold the oil bottle upside down and punch a hole in the bottom of the bottle so air can replace the oil as it goes in.
2.  Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right or clockwise until the motor is as far it will turn.
3.  Attach a hose to the right side bleeder and open it.
4.  Hold the outboard in place and crank the wheel counter clockwise, oil will pump out of the bleeder along with air bubbles.  Make sure the oil comes out in a solid stream with out air pockets.
5.  With the wheel still turning and oil flowing close the bleeder.
6.  Turn the wheel counter clockwise so the motor is all the way left.
7.  Attach a hose to the left side bleeder and open it.
8.  Hold the outboard in place and turn the wheel clockwise and pump out all of the air and oil again.
9.  Once the oil runs in a solid stream, keep turning the wheel and close the bleeder.
10.  At this point the system should be bled and ready to go.

During the entire process make sure the oil going into the helm pump stays full, do not let the supply run dry!  The hose on the bleeder will allow you to bleed into a clean container and reuse the oil.

Make sure you use Seastar oil too.

I think the instructions are complete and you should be all set.

Dan if you want help give me a call or shoot me an email or PM.  I am in GR tonight at home or I will be leaving for Newaygo tomorrow and be there all weekend and my vacuum pump in in Newaygo.

Cy

[thedude]

Dan - i found that a male-to-male air fitting (1/2" i think) like you use on standard aircompressor attachments fit the threads. I took a funnel and screwed it into one end of the fitting and then screwed the whole thing into the helm.

you can borrow it if you want.

[Dan]

Thanks, I talked to Cy and he's going to mentor me through the process a day next week. I do appreciate you getting back with me and your generous offers of time and tools.