PERRY CHURCHILL wrote:

Perry,

If your 1978 boat is like my 1978 boat, it is equipped with  a
Teleflex/Capliano 1250V or 1275V hydraulic steering with a Uniflow valve.

I got this info from the Teleflex web site.

"1250V AND 1275V systems are designed to operate with ATF, automatic
transmission fluid type A or Dexron II or III as used in automobiles."

The current Dexron ATF may now be Dexron IV.  I have been told that the
current Dexron ATF can be used.

Larry H

I have two small fluid leaks, one near the pump the other near the cylinder,
both at couplings. As far as I know the fluid has not been changed for 30
years.
There does not seem to be a drain point, and I am edgy about a spill in the
boat.
How do I drain the system?
Richard

Thursday, February 25, 2010, 12:06:42 AM, Richard wrote:

RT> I have two small fluid leaks, one near the pump the other near the cylinder,
RT> both at couplings. As far as I know the fluid has not been changed for 30
RT> years.
RT> There does not seem to be a drain point, and I am edgy about a spill in the
RT> boat.
RT> How do I drain the system?
RT> Richard

Disconnect the hoses at the cylinder, and catch the fluid that runs
out of them. You will probably have to operate the helms to pump most
of the fluid out.

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI    Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Ennos 31 "Honeycomb"
GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca

Richard Tomkinson wrote:

Richard,

I haven't drained my system, but if you have bleeder valves on the
steering cylinder, opening those and turning the steering wheels (both
ways) will pump the fluid thru and out of the system.  You should be
able to slide a hose onto the bleeder valves and catch the fluid.

If there are no bleeder valves, disconnecting the center, return pipe
and turning the wheels (lower and upper) many times in both directions
should empty the system.

I have some seepage at both upper and lower helm pumps.  I tested the
connections with a wrench and all were tight.  I now just wipe down the
pumps and pipes and wrap oil absorbent  material around the pipes.  I
also top up the oil in the upper helm before the boating season.  To
make that chore easier, I cut a hole in the flybridge dash over the fill
plug, and covered the hole with a round teak plug.  Now I can easily add
fluid using a small funnel and hose. The access hole also allows a
visual inspection of the fluid level.

Larry H

To make that chore easier, I cut a hole in the flybridge dash over the fill

There is a "fill kit" available anywhere that sells parts for the Capliano
steering pumps. It's just a hose barb to pipe thread fitting, a section of
hose, and a nice fitting that fits in a hole you drill above the pump. It
has a black plastic screw in vented cap, and makes topping off your pump
easy. The hose is also clear, so if it's where you can see it by looking
under your helm it's easy to check at a glance if the system is full.

By the way, these pumps shouldn't "seep". If all the fittings are tight, it
may just be the o-ring around the shaft. They can be bought at any auto
parts store, a #220 o-ring if I remember right.

Brent Hodges