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Hydraulic Steering Fluid Help

wtpanther

wtpanther

Active member
Long story short, accidently broke off the T fittings on my hydraulic steering cylinder. Its the Baystar 150hp system from teleflex. Have the parts replaced and all i need to do is fill the hydraulic fluid and bleed the system. Question is, what kind of hydraulic fluid do I need to use? Do i need to order specific fluid directly from seastar? And if so, heavy medium or light? OR can I just go to my local pepboys and use regular hydraulic steering fluid, and what weight? Im trying to get her back on the water tomorrow if possible just stuck on this. Any help is really appreciated :cheers:
 
some units use reg ATF, some use the sea star fluid...google your system, if it was red I would say was ATF, if light tan color sea star..
 
"I have used atf in the pro system before with no issues."

X2. I've owned 3 Seastar systems and I ran atf w- no problems.
Good luck-
 
It came out a darker color, possibly a dark red. Definitely not light tan color. Im assuming these cant be mixed either.
 
looks like I have to run up to west marine anyway. I need the filling kit (HA5438). Although it looks pretty simple to make myself and not spend an unnecessary 25$. Just bought a house so every penny saved does me good!! Anyone know what size fitting that is that goes into the helm?

552620_zps50b927cc.png
 
A lot of people run ATF without any issues but I believe the manufacturer recommends it only be used in an emergency. They list the MIL spec as MIL-PRF-5606. Ronco 756 airplane hydraulic fluid is the same spec. If I didn't just get a new system with fluid included I'd have gone that route.
 
atc250r said:
A lot of people run ATF without any issues but I believe the manufacturer recommends it only be used in an emergency. They list the MIL spec as MIL-PRF-5606. Ronco 756 airplane hydraulic fluid is the same spec. If I didn't just get a new system with fluid included I'd have gone that route.
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Yeah ive been reading the same about the atf. Only used in emergencies. Although so far many people on the forum have said they havent ran into issues using it. My pop says I shouldn't chance it and wind up having to replace seals and what not. Any idea where I can get these aircraft hydraulic fluid substitutes that meet the mil spec? Made a few calls and cant find anything.
 
If you have a small, local airport you may want to check there. Going in person seems to be the best bet when dealing with them. I believe I read that the oil for snow plow hydraulic systems meets thar spec too. I'm lucky that Iwork with a guy that also works as an aairline mechanic and he brought me a few cans because I thought I would need it.
 
atc250r said:
If you have a small, local airport you may want to check there. Going in person seems to be the best bet when dealing with them. I believe I read that the oil for snow plow hydraulic systems meets thar spec too. I'm lucky that Iwork with a guy that also works as an aairline mechanic and he brought me a few cans because I thought I would need it.
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Thanks for the help. I actually do have a small local airport I just called. They told me they do sell hydraulic fluids but couldn't tell me what brand, spec or anything else about it so I guess ill be taking a trip over there.
 
wtpanther said:
looks like I have to run up to west marine anyway. I need the filling kit (HA5438). Although it looks pretty simple to make myself and not spend an unnecessary 25$. Just bought a house so every penny saved does me good!! Anyone know what size fitting that is that goes into the helm?

552620_zps50b927cc.png
Click to expand...

Take the helm screw to your local hardware store and you can find the filler fitting pretty easily. I made one for like $3.

The hydro fluid color doesn't matter, and can be mixed together.
 
Local airport had Ronco 756 and sold me a gallon. Cost me 60 bucks but it beats 60 for half the quantity of seastar. Went to home depot and made my own filling kit. Shes all bandaged up and ready to roll tomorrow!! Anyone around me want to go boating ill be up in Lambertville NJ getting some time behind the wheel.:banana: Much needed since ive spent the last 3 years on jet skis.
 
I went through the same thing trying to find less expense substitute for SeaStar steering fluid when I changed to longer hoses. I researched and found that while ATF may work, it does not met specs, it is thicker, and may cause seal problems especially in colder weather.

It takes 2 quarts to fill and bleed a system and costs about $40 delivered to your door. For me it was clear, just get the correct fluid and be done with it.
 
WILDMAN said:
I use automotive power steering fluid
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Marine hydraulic steering fluid is a mineral or paraffinic based oil. It is very thin and so works well in cold temps as well as hot. The seals in the Teleflex system are designed to tolerate the solvent nature of it. The airplane hydraulic fluids or automotive power steering fluids mentioned are the proper substitutes as they also are mineral oils but are a lot cheaper.

ATF will work in warm climates but is thicker and will not steer as easy. I wouldn't use it.
 
The sea star stuff is expensive and personally that is what I use but I know many people use ATF with no issues. the basic setup is just a manual pump and hyd. cylinder. as long as the fluid does not affect the seals and similar weight it should work.

IMO. and this just my opinion, sea star probably says ATF in emergencies only to keep people buying the over priced clear tan stuff.

I just happen to have a spare 2 litres sitting on my shelf and that's why I use it.
 
yeah I was considering the ATF because it seemed alot of members here were using it but when I saw possible issues with seals down the road, I kinda turned away. Just bought a house with lots of projects in mind and if I ran into having to replace the steering completely Id be out of boating for a while. So i went with the ronco being it was a suggested substitute from seastar and I was able to get a full gallon for the same price as 2 qts of seastar. This way if i ever run into a problem again I have enough left over to get the job done. PLUS the airport where i got the ronco is a 5 minute drive from me versus the hour drive to west marine
 
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