The easy way to Bleed and fill Your Seastar or Baystar Hydraulic Steering System

Follow along as I show you the easy way to blead air from, and add hydraulic fluid to my Baystar steering system. #DIY #Baystar #Seastar
Bleeder Kit - amzn.to/498A63v
SeaStar Hydraulic Fluid - amzn.to/3gLaotv
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[@jasonking7003]

Great job! I’m about to install the same system on my boat. You’re videos have been very helpful!

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you, I’m glad they help.

[@russellvalence2456]

Thank you sir! I have a 2017 Mako Pro Skiff 19 and I thought my steering was cable driven. Nope! It came with the hydraulic steering. I never noticed that! Lost my steering this morning on the lake and found your video while sitting in the water. Going take care of this now!

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank yo for the kind words, I'm glad the video can help you.

[@jstan022]

Dude thank you so much! We are on vacation and noticed the issue once we got it on the water. Gonna go find these items tomorrow and knock it out.

[@AJOutdoors1]

I’m glad this helped, I hope you have a great vacation.

[@JimGrady67]

Thanks for this video! I bought and used this kit on my baystar. I didn't know when the motor stopped all the way the steering stopped. Before I could keep spinning the wheel after the motor stops. Also, my steering is tighter and more responsive!

[@AJOutdoors1]

I'm glad it helped you!

[@peterbyron3629]

Very useful. Many thanks

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you for watching!

[@christopherschissler1675]

Nice tutorial. Just a word of caution on fill level. Refer to the Seastar Owner's manual for fill level instructions. For anyone who has a Seastar helm mounted with the Helm shaft in a vertical or 20 deg from vertical position. The vertical mounted helm should only be filled to within 1/2" of the bottom of the fill hole or fluid will leak out of the vent cap. If you have a horizontal mounted shaft helm as yours is, they recommend filling to within a 1/4" of the bottom of the fill hole to avoid the cap leaking. You can use a small hypodermic syringe to remove a little fluid after you top off the system. Seastar sells a syringe kit HA5403 for this purpose.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you, and great information, I appreciate it.

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing buddy! I dont have a boat but still interesting to me!

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you Mark!

[@robertjleone]

Much easier to follow than other videos!

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@robertjleone]

@@AJOutdoors1 Yesterday I just replaced the helm seal because it was leaking and topped off the reservoir. How often should this system be bled?

[@AJOutdoors1]

@@robertjleone If you don't have any steering issues or leaks, you should flush it and refill it about every 5 years.

[@GrantMcIntosh]

Good tips! 👍 🍻

[@joshuagonzales2863]

Thanks very helpful.

[@AJOutdoors1]

You're welcome!

[@SWCFLORIDA]

We love our hydraulic steering. But you have to maintain it. Good tips

[@AJOutdoors1]

For sure, thanks for watching!

[@PondamnsOutdoors]

The boat master sharing that expert knowledge with the common folks. You're the man. You should run for office. We need ppl that can relate to the little ppl LOL

[@AJOutdoors1]

LOL! thank you Sir! 😀

[@1973superdad]

thanks

[@chasharper]

Really helpful video thanks for making this my friend. Big 👍11 hope you have a great week 👋😎

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@SouthFLMudClub]

I appreciate you taking the time to post this video. I watched both your videos before I purchased the baystar kit simply cause of confidence built from your vidro and ive watched it again now. I am almost done with it. Just need to trim lines and connect to cylinder and I can bleed it. Came here again to see how you loosened the bleeders in the rear. Do i just loosen the nut a bit to let it drain?

[@AJOutdoors1]

First off, thank you, I appreciate the kind words. Yes, you just loosen the bleeder nut to bleed it.

[@GrantMcIntosh]

🍻Auto played to this one after the live stream..

[@AJOutdoors1]

Nice.

[@mountainbushcraftersallian8654]

Yes sir...This is all new to me but Kinda like a bleeder assistant kit....

[@AJOutdoors1]

Yup that is what it is.

[@jammiefreeman7165]

Have a question about my Mercury motor. It stalls out at time only in low rpms at 2500

[@AJOutdoors1]

All the time at low rpms, or some times? Does it start right back up?

[@mikemarks6562]

My boat turns to the right hood but hard back to the left when it’s under just a little bit of pressure not even on plane and on plane very hard to turn left but very smooth to the right

[@AJOutdoors1]

Sounds like you might have a seal issue. I would contact their tech support, they have been very helpful.

[@Grady252]

Easy to follow. Great video. I noticed the link for the Bleeder kit is no longer working?

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you, sorry about the link, it appears that bleeder is no longer available.

[@MrFrefal]

@@AJOutdoors1 do you remember the brand name or mfg of the kit? Exactly what I’m looking for!

[@AJOutdoors1]

@@MrFrefal I do not remember the brand, but this one looks to be the same design. amzn.to/3MVwvy3

[@edbrzuszkiewicz249]

Is there a difference in helm fluid between makes of boats My stingray says it needs 15 isovg 15 If I just get that weight I'll be ok ?

[@AJOutdoors1]

Yes same weight, any brand. Unless you have warranty.

[@tonyfernandez8236]

Do you put a pinhole in the bottom of the fluid container to allow the air to escape?

[@AJOutdoors1]

This system does not require that, but it wouldn't hurt. It may speed the process up.

[@1hovermale]

If the system is bone dry or a fresh install ...can you use this system to do the initial fill ? Or do you have to use the old method for the first initial fill of the system ?

[@AJOutdoors1]

You should be able to use this, but keep an eye on the bottle so that you don't empty it. You might have to change to another full bottle depending on how much your system uses.

[@1hovermale]

@@AJOutdoors1 My system requires about a quart and a half. So the first bottle will completely empty before you change bottles lol.

[@edshernius3552]

What brand bleeder kit did you use? The link you have for it isn't working.

[@AJOutdoors1]

It's been a few years, I do not recall the brand, but this one looks good. amzn.to/45t3gZY

[@clay3129]

Good informative video. Do you think hydraulic steering with a 115 mercury would be worth it? Vs. non-feedback steering? Aluminum boat

[@AJOutdoors1]

I do, that is a 115 in the video that I installed it on.

[@wmpmedia4763]

115 is in the optimal rating for the baystar system. I also have a 115 and an aluminum boat and I’m gonna do it. Any problems with the compression fittings on the cylinder hoses leaking?

[@AJOutdoors1]

@wmpmedia4763 I did develop a leak after about 3 years, and I replaced them.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Opps I miss read your comment. I never had leaks on the compression fittings. It was the bleeder fittings I had to replace.

[@jeffcoston5084]

Any tips on removing the fluid from the bleeder hose that connects to the bleeder valves after the job is done?

[@jeffcoston5084]

Never mind. Just figured out you can use a punch to gently push in the fitting until they lock open and drain. After drained, you press open the fitting rings as if to install onto bleeder and it will close back up the fittings.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Glad you figured it out.

[@billybilly3333333333]

Thanks---------I only have one connector but two outboards. Can I just do each outboard separately?

[@AJOutdoors1]

Which connector are you talking about? The steering cylinder at the engine?

[@billybilly3333333333]

Yes, I only have one connector so I'll have to do each engine separately.@@AJOutdoors1

[@billybilly3333333333]

I saw one video where he was somehow able to "prime" the connector with fresh fluid 'before' connecting it to each side of the steering cylinder. This seems to make sense if you can do it as otherwise your pushing the air it has in it back into the system.

[@AJOutdoors1]

@billybilly3333333333 the air gets pushed back into the bottle as the fluid comes out of the bottle into the system.

[@Elway1976]

Aj thanks,so you dont have to put a hole for this process there is enough air space in the full bottle for the air to come back into the bottle?

[@AJOutdoors1]

Yes, there should be.

[@Elway1976]

@@AJOutdoors1 ,thk you sir!

[@briancolorado6448]

I just called Seastar this morning, and they said a hole is still required or else you create a vaccum. I'm not saying your wrong, just repeating what the tech said. Thanks for the cideo.

[@AJOutdoors1]

@briancolorado6448 that is the case when you do it the traditional way. But with a line connecting the bleeder screws you do not. You can watch the air going up into the bottle which is displacing the fluid as it goes into the system. You can put a hole in it if you prefer, but it is not necessary.

[@briancolorado6448]

Ya thats strange. I explained it to the tech and even told him about your video and he said a hole is necessary. Again I am not saying you are wrong, maybe he is wrong. Thanks for the response.

[@dimario2000]

Does this method also fill up fluid, and not just remove air? I believe my system was leaking a little fluid and I just purchased the kit to refill. Do I need to poke a hole in the bottle if I’m refilling as well?

[@AJOutdoors1]

This method does fill the system and bleed the air out. If you are using the system in this video, then yo do not need to put a hole in the container. The air will fill the container, as the fluid leaves the container.

[@dimario2000]

Thank you! Worked great

[@AJOutdoors1]

@@dimario2000 Great, I'm glad.

[@jjohnston6645]

Did you ever find out where the leak is? Why was it low?

[@AJOutdoors1]

It had a leaky bleeder valve which I replaced later.

[@lancegray3910]

what system and where can you find it

[@AJOutdoors1]

There is a link in the description below the video to the system at amazon.

[@ronbumbera6229]

OK, I don't understand. I cracked open those fittings a couple of turns like you did. had the hose connected then turned the wheel. Oil came pouring out of the fittings. I closed the fittings and no oil moved. I cracked the fittings about a quarter turn. Tried again a oil poured out over the deck again. No luck.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Without seeing, it hard to figure out the issue, but maybe bad fittings?

[@ronbumbera6229]

@@AJOutdoors1 After thinking about it what did I expect? The system is under pressure and I released a fitting. How would it not leak? All the fittings are are brass quick release fittings on stainless "T" s.

[@AJOutdoors1]

@@ronbumbera6229 Yeah but the way those bleeder valves are designed, if you just crack the bleeder a little, then the fluid should run into the hose, and not leak around the threads.

[@ronbumbera6229]

@@AJOutdoors1 Not here.Just cracked them an dripping everywhere. At first I opened them a full turn and every thing was fine. Then started moving the helm and then it leaked.

[@AJOutdoors1]

@@ronbumbera6229 Sounds like bad bleeder valves.

[@billybrodrick7520]

Hi what size are the quick connects And hose

[@AJOutdoors1]

There is a link to the kit in the description below the video.

[@fmaalouf73]

I know it's an older video but the link does not work. Do you have a name brand or something I can search for a similar kit? I like the fact you don't have to poke a whole in the 25 dollar quart fluid container.

[@AJOutdoors1]

@fmaalouf73 try this one. amzn.to/498A63v

[@fmaalouf73]

Thx. I have seen a few kits like these but most reviews say the quick connectors leak which defeats the purpose of trying to bleed the system of air and possibly sucking in air from bad connections. I'll search around but thx for the reply

[@jaycoleman1862]

What Bleeder Kit was that? The link is dead.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Yeah they keep changing. This one should work. amzn.to/3NCgJIK

[@jaycoleman1862]

@@AJOutdoors1 Thanks.

[@fmaalouf73]

Yup that one is dead too. What the Heck??!?! Amazon!

[@Honda1k]

Bleeder kit link doesn't work

[@AJOutdoors1]

Yeah they keep changing, try this one. amzn.to/45t3gZY

[@MD-173]

All the links to the bleeder kit do not work. Can you just spell out the make brand and/or model so we can just search for it please.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Try this: amzn.to/3O1Z1OU If that doesn't work, search Yurgrt hydraulic steering bleeder kit on Amazon.

[@solrus20]

bleeder kit link is broken

[@AJOutdoors1]

Thank you for pointing that out! I fixed it, here it is: amzn.to/3ByjaEU

[@scottmiller2466]

Link is "broken" again. Thanks

[@AJOutdoors1]

Try this. amzn.to/3NCgJIK

[@jwbboat1684]

@@AJOutdoors1 nope,does'nt work

[@AJOutdoors1]

That one is not on Amazon any longer. Just search for boat hydraulic steering bleeder and get one with brass fittings.

[@CProFishingWithWayne]

Hydraulic steering for you rich guys.

[@AJOutdoors1]

Man it was worth going in debt for! I had to replace my steering any way so.. :) I will not own a boat without it now.