Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

[R. Wood]

I have twin 1984 1.6 litre Sea Drives.<br /><br />I have not been able to get them to stay aligned during turning, misalignment becomes much worse after slow speed turning (like docking maneuvers).<br />For the most part they stay straight @ speed, if you adjust and take off without turnoing.<br /><br />This is the only nagging problem we've not been able to resolve since purchase of the boat, as is.<br /><br />The steering system is a pressurized hynautic "resoirvalve", system currently holds pressure and fluid. A hydraulic tie line connects motors togther in series(?). I believe a hand valve (takes port motor out of the loop) was installed in place of the OMC synch valve.<br /><br />I've made several attemps to bleed the system with no luck. I'm sure you can imagine what a b**ch this can be while docking!!

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

its suposed to be that way they, have a valving system that doesent seem to make sence at times but a high speed it will save a bunch of fuel and make the boat do acouple mph faster

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

To clarify, I am not indicating minor toe in adjustments, but gross mis-alignment. <br /><br />I have the OMC Sea Drive service manual, that contains an overview of the hydraulics and steering, but it seems a bit "complex". Is the lack of the OMC synch valve the pproblem, or should this hand valve set up hold alignment?

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

they dont hold allighment at low speeds not even close this is normal should not efect handling if it does then there may be a problem talk to someone thats had them for years they will tell you takes some geting used to it just looks wierd !

 

[Solittle]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

I have a pair of 1988s and had the same problem. There is air in one or more of the lines. Just keep at it. Bleed, bleed and re bleed. You will get the air out eventually - at least I did - I don't know if my system differs from yours.<br /><br />Mine will creep over a long period of time. When that happens I turn all the way to port or starboard (with boat at rest) - then force it some more. This activates a relief valve somewhere and allows the engines to recenter. I also check my fluid resivor before leaving home every time out. My resivor is located just forward of the helm.

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

OMC Frank,<br /><br />I'm trying to understand but struggle with your comments. Are you implying that you use pure throttle to steer at slow speeds? My motors get so far out of whack that one will be hard over and the other stuck half way or so, which really hampers manuevering with steering.<br />Also, do you have a manual opersted valve or the OMC Sysnch valve?<br /><br />So Little, From what you describe it sounds like you have the OMC synch valve? Any tips on bleeding, did you taken cyldiner of bracket to bleed (as manual suggests)?

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

what i mean is this system does not stay alligned but what you describe is much diferent you must have air lots of it in yours and or parts mising yes what i was talking about is the auto sync valve system witch should always react properly to helm movement when we bleed these old systems we always start with a glass gar with the lines off the steer cylinder in fluid keep helm pump full or if ecquiped reseviour full turm helm till no bubles . sorry about the misunderstanding remember bleed bleed bleed if it still dont work rite the steer cyl probably is bad

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

If air were trapped in the lines, or a bad cylinder, would I be able to pyhsically push motor over to one side or the other. I can't push the motors out of alignment, I can't seem to feel any bounce in the cylinders either, although hard to tell.Is there some sort of test I could conduct on cylinder?<br /><br />The port installation got a new cylinder seal kit last year due to external leak, which I thought for sure was the alignemnt problem, but to no avail!! What are the chances of an interanl leak on starboard cylinder?<br /><br />The OMC manual suggests removal of cylinder and raising cylinder to highest point of system and then bleed. Is this the typical procedure?<br /><br />Is anyone familair with this hand valve set up? <br /><br />Also curious about these synch valves. Manual speaks of vacuum protection and features to maintain tie line volume??<br /><br />Where are all the hydraulic heads anyway???<br /><br />Thanks for everyones $0.02

 

[Solittle]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

I suspect that I have the OMC valve as the origonal owner spared no expense in setting my boat up (he even had electric motor driven primer pumps).<br /><br />Anyway back to bleeding the steering - I had both of my Sea Drives removed a couple of years back when I had the transom redone. I helped the mechanic bleed the system when he reinstalled the motors. I was at the helm - he at the motors. He would loosen the fitting where the line attaches to the motor assembly. He would tell me to turn the helm all the way over - which I did. He then retighten the fitting - and we would repeat the process several times. Did this for each motor checking the fluid level frequently. The process was much like bleeding the brakes in a car.<br /><br />Keep in mind that power steering fluid does not compress - air does. If all of the air is out the motors will not go off on their own unless there there is another problem in the power steering assembly.

 

[taz33911]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

I don't know about that setup but,I have bled a lot steering systems on Yamaha , merc. ,omc . All outboards. I have a 2 gal. gas can rigged up with a fittng for the helm filled steering fluid. I hook it to the helm fill hole and get gal. bucket for the cyl. bleed on the engine . I hook a clear hose over the bleed valve and crack it open.Then I turn the steering wheel till all the air is out.Oh by the way most of them have to be turned the opposite way , that is starboard side valve turn to the port side.The hoses usually cross on the helm.If oil comes out your turning the correct direction if not you will suck air in. Hint put a little oil in the bucket and submerge the hose before you turn the helm. if that don't work consider one cyl. with a tiebar between them.

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

Taz,<br /><br />I've considered a mechanical tie between the motors, but the manual has a vague sentence (just one!) that Sea Drives can't be tied mechanically??<br /><br />So Little,<br /><br />Thanks for the tips, this hydrauclic tie line between the motors keeps bugging me though, I'm not sure how to properly bleed. I'm also a bit confused about the releif valves ont he resvoir. Are they only to be open to bleed the lines to the helm?<br /><br />My last worry bead is the this goofy hand valve that been added in place of the Synch valve (can it or is it leaking internally?)<br /><br />Any other dual Sea Drive owners out there? Whats your set up like??

 

[taz33911]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

The way you have described the system sounds like crap to me there is nothing keep them aligned.sounds like one cyl. feeds the other fluid.you have two hoses coming through the transom they go on the outside ends of the cyl. and a short hose connecting the two in the center correct?Ithink I would try to contact seastar about a cyl. and tiebar because all the new engines I hook up are tied together on one cyl.I would loose the port cyl. and make a tiebar your cyl may not be strong enough to handle it . Contact seastar they may have something for them . what you described don't sound like it will stay aligned turn both motors maybe

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

Taz,<br /><br />Your dead on about my set up, except that this hand valve when closed will take the port motor out of the loop and the starboard will move by itself. <br /><br />I guess I've been reluctant to make that conclusion myself but I think your right about the "quality" of my current set up.<br /><br />Any other Sea Drive owners out there?? Has anyone seen Sea Drives tied mechanically?

 

[R. Wood]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

Dual Sea Drive owners unite!!<br /><br />Please let me know what your set ups are like, any one have or seen a mechanical tie?

 

[taz33911]

Re: Twin Outboard Alignment Problems

You might want to repost the question becase you keep getting bumped down the list dude.