Teleflex power purge

[fitz73222]

Well fellas,
Bit the bullet this morning and bought a Teleflex Power Purge for bleeding hydraulic steering. I've tried 3 times to get all the air out of the steering in the 22-2 and I'm over it. Then the flats boat sitting in the garage decides to dump its load and spew a nice stream of oil out of the helm vent and all over the console and deck indicating it had some air in it also although the steering was solid but the warmer weather helps expand the air and push the fluid out of the vent. I'm at the point in my life where aggrevation prevention is worth money to me. So anyway, there's one in the family now. Will bleed CAS members steering for food!

[RickK]

Good to know. 
I just rebuilt the Seastar system on the 170.  Haven't installed it yet (obviously) and if I have problems, I know who to call.

[Capt. Bob]

That's a pricey little device but most good tools are just that.

[fitz73222]

You got that right Bob,
I waffled back and forth about it, but you weigh safety and reliability, my crew is worth more than that.

[RickK]

Maybe in the fall we'll plan a gathering in your neck of the woods and we'll line up the boats and ..... You'll be well fed 
We always have generators with us so you can even do it on the fly 

[RickK]

VERY pricey - but seems to be a handy tool and seems not to take long to purge the lines.

[dirtwheelsfl]

Ive got a friend of a friend with one of those that's about to do it for me on the flattie, just have to pay for a little fluid. Should be a nice headache saver!

Side note: What are your thoughts on using ATF with seastar helms??

[fitz73222]

Dirt,
Personally, I use ATF in an AT only... I don't use it in powertrim, power steering, nothing. I use the correct fluid for the duty. I don't think ATF has the lubricity or extreme pressure characteristics to replace hydraulic oil. Seastar says to be used in emergencies only, now they are in the business to sell $20 per quart oil so you decide. I don't worry about the cost of the seastar oil since I get many years out of it (unless it leaks out of the vent!!!)

[Blue Agave]

now they are in the business to sell $20 per quart oil so you decide.

Try $30 a quart for the teleflex fluid.  I picked up a quart of HWH hydraulic oil today for $10, it was on the shelf right next of the high dollar stuff at my local marine supply store.

[GoneFission]

Try some aircraft suppliers - believe it or not, aircraft hydraulic oil is cheaper than marine: 

Royco - this stuff has some red color that helps you find leaks - less than $10/qt.
http://www.skygeek.com/royco-756-aircraft-hydraulic-fluid.html 

Mobil Aero - less than $12/qt.:
http://www.skygeek.com/mobil-aero-hf-hydraulic-fluid.html 

Castrol Brayco - less than $10/qt.:
http://www.skygeek.com/castrol-brayco-micronic-882.html 

Good luck!!

[Capt. Bob]

It's the shipping charge that drives the price up.

I'm going back old skool.



No more leakin' or bleedin' needed.

[GoneFission]

You can get the aviation stuff at almost any airport FBO/shop and hot have to pay shipping.   

[fitz73222]

Power purge arrived today. I ordered it from Boaters Land at 5:00 am Sunday. Let me tell you about their customer service. Placed the order Sunday as said, Monday morning I get a call asking to validate the order because the ship to was different than the bill to. Talk to a nice guy in Ohio named Ryan. Because of the amount they call to validate the order. I go through the process of ship to/bill to addresses and AMEX card validation. He says good to go, shipping from our warehouse in CT. $9.95 shipping ( it weighs 30#) and it arrives today at the plant! That's customer service!!!

[RickK]

That's good to know - I ordered quite a bit from them on Sunday also so hopefully it'll be here soon.
(Due on Thursday)