Lucky John
Well-known member
Seems like my steering has been less and less responsive since last season. I have to make too many turns on wheel for engine to respond. I just had the mechanic purge the system as I also have auto pilot with a Garmin 1.2 liter pump.
When the engine is down in running position I can turn wheel either way with engine response. I can also turn it to a point where it gets stiffer but I can keep on turning the wheel. This occurs in both directions. (This is not normal)
There was only a tiny bubble of air that came out of one side. The fluid has not leaked and remained full. There is no leaks from ram, helm etc.
Has anyone else had this condition? From the reading I have done it is leaning towards a check valve in the helm, which would kind of suck since the boat is only in it's third season and new helm is about 5-6 hundred.
When running under normal conditions I really have to spin wheel to keep on course, once on plane the auto pilot does function properly unless there is some kind of adverse condition......tide, waves,wind etc.
When the engine is down in running position I can turn wheel either way with engine response. I can also turn it to a point where it gets stiffer but I can keep on turning the wheel. This occurs in both directions. (This is not normal)
There was only a tiny bubble of air that came out of one side. The fluid has not leaked and remained full. There is no leaks from ram, helm etc.
Has anyone else had this condition? From the reading I have done it is leaning towards a check valve in the helm, which would kind of suck since the boat is only in it's third season and new helm is about 5-6 hundred.
When running under normal conditions I really have to spin wheel to keep on course, once on plane the auto pilot does function properly unless there is some kind of adverse condition......tide, waves,wind etc.