Carver Owners Forum

Hi fellow Carver's!
1987 Carver 4207 with dual helms.
Steering question... please see the picture.
1) Does the engine need to run to properly run the steering?
2) Is filling/topping off the fluid done here in the upper helm or elsewhere?
3) What kind of fluid?
4) Is that all there is to it,just top it off here above the wheel or do I need to go down to the rudders under the aft cabin bed?
Thanks in advance!![image][/image]

steve&tammy wrote:Source of the post Hi fellow Carver's!
1987 Carver 4207 with dual helms.
Steering question... please see the picture.
1) Does the engine need to run to properly run the steering?
2) Is filling/topping off the fluid done here in the upper helm or elsewhere?
3) What kind of fluid?
4) Is that all there is to it,just top it off here above the wheel or do I need to go down to the rudders under the aft cabin bed?
Thanks in advance!![image][/image]

Ok,having trouble with pictures but yes, there's a small cap to unscrew at the top of the upper helm steering column

The engines do not need to be running at all for the steering to operate, nor to check or refill.

Why do you suspect it's low?

Not sure exactly on that model, but likely you have a Hynautic hydraulic steering. There's a reservoir, probably back near the rudders or under the aft berth, that is where you would top the system off.

There should also be pressure in the system also. There's a gauge on the reservoir to tell you how much pressure is currently in it. If you lost fluid or pressure you have some kind of a leak. If there pressure is low, you might be feeling 'clicks' when you turn the wheel, or the wheel may not be responsive. There's always a tiny amount of air in the system, and that pressure keeps those air bubble very small an inconsequential. Too much are and that would need to be purged.

Transmission fluid or power steering fluid is typically used there. Some folks prefer the clear fluid over the red fluid, in case there's a leak. I think mine always had red fluid.

Looks like this:

on this forum there is a bleeding manual for the hynautic.

afaik the hynautic with that reservoir does not have a bleed valve on the steering column. You can bleed up top by unscrewing the hoses but then you also loose pressure so you're running up and down to fill/bleed/pressurise and so on.
Much more simple are the other systems where the air simply travels all the way up, and there is a screw. fill it up and done.

The system is separate from the engine, the enginge however, may provide pressure to a separate system that assists (power steering) the cylinder to move so it's light for you to steer. but even without that, you can bleed/fill/pressurize/test the steering system.

I do not believe the 4207 has an air charged Hynautic system. If I recall correctly.
Mine had a fill plug at the helm. Sounds as if you do as well.
Hopefully viper responds. He probably knows for sure.

Every 4207 I've been on were standard non-pressurized but you never know, maybe pressurized was an option, maybe a previous owner changed something?

Look for the pressure tank or try removing the fill cap at the upper helm. If it unscrews easily with no tool, then it's likely not pressurized.

If the cap comes off easily, check the fluid level inside. If it's low, fill the helm to the bottom of the threads, put the cap back on, then spin the wheel back and forth all the way in each direction. You'll need to do this several times, then check the level and refill/repeat if needed. The more air that's in the system, the more you'll have to turn the wheel back and forth to bleed the system. The other way to bleed requires a couple of people. One to turn the wheel and another to bleed the ports at the steering cylinder.

Check your lower helm as well.

If you discover that you have a pressurized system, let us know as that is a different process.

Stick with the same type of fluid that's in the system now. If it's red it's ATF, if it's clear, use SeaStar steering fluid.

An unpressurized system does not need the engines running to work. Some pressurized systems are assisted by the engines.

Are you having a problem with the steering?

What viper describes is what was on my 4207. And I remember having to spin the wheel and refill a few times after I fixed a leak. Hose was leaking at the fitting at the upper helm.