Seastar hydraulic steering fluid purge

[Gpag]

I have a Seastar hydraulic steering system with an HC5345 cylinder.
I was bleeding fluid from the system yesterday and what was coming out was very brown fluid and there was some sediment in the container I bled the fluid into. I put in a quart of new fluid in and the fluid was still brown coming out the bleed valve.
Rather than spending lots on money in new hydraulic fluid to keep flushing until I can clear everything out, is there a way to drain all the old fluid and then add new? I suppose, if it worked, I could open up the helm pump and the bleeder and turn the wheel until no more fluid comes out but could that damage the system?

Also, the instructions on bleeding the system say to hold the cylinder to prevent it from moving while bleeding the fluid. My helper was having a problem doing that and keeping the rod from moving. I am thinking of wrapping a thick piece of rubber tubing around the rod next to the cylinder and clamping it with a vice grip just enough to keep it from moving, and to make this a one person operation since I don’t have a helper today. The thick rubber will prevent any marring of the rod. Anyone see any issues with this?
Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Looks like you water in the system.
Flush, flush, then flush again until clear.

Use can use Dextron III ATF to flush with

 

[Horigan]

Also, open the bleeder more. Then it will be easier to hold the cylinder rod. Your idea of thick rubber with vise grips would work, but you shouldn't need it. In addition to using ATF, there are other less expensive brands of steering fluid that are compatible with Seastar systems to use for the final fill. I recently did a full bleed of a two helm system with a gallon of non-Seastar fluid.

 

[mr 88]

Any 5 weight hydraulic oil will work . You could even use water if it didn't rust out the inner workings . Know a guy that was in a fishing tournament, had a leak in the system, filled it with beer to finish out the day .