Full Hydraulic - Return Line
 

I had some hydraulic lines made last year for my upgrade to full hydraulic steering. When I went to put the boat in storage, I noticed a slight seepage/leak on the low pressure return line (Line T) on the helm unit.

As this is low pressure, can i just cut off the hydraulic fitting and replace it with a AN fitting or Stainless hose barb?

What pressure does this line see?

Hope to be running soon . . .

Kirk

It should not go over 50-100 psi unless something restricts or blocks off the rest of the return circuit through the ps cooler or the line back to the reservoir. On the boats that I have rigged I have all 4 lines high pressure just in case of something stupid would happen and the high pressure line is much harder to cut. It costs a bit more so a lot just use the minimum requirement on the return line.

What type of fitting was the original and also what type of hose did you use on the return line? For low pressure lines I have found that "push-lok" style hose and fittings work fine, but as I said before, on the main line from the helm I still prefer a high pressure type of hose and fitting.

I used Parker Pushlok hose and fittings on the Helm Return line (250 psi) and it is holding up after seven years.The hose dumps right to the reservoir so pressure is minimal.

Rob

It is a 300 PSI hose and the hydraulic connector went bad. I would have to pull all the hoses and numerous cables out to replace this one hose.

Don't want to short cut anything, but if a SS Barb is going to work without compromising the system, I'd prefer to do it that way.

A pushlock is good but a barb and heavy duty clamp should do the same right?

Yes, it should work. If it's the low pressure line, how did the fitting go bad?

I don't think they crimped it well enough or the hose is not a heavy duty hydraulic line for the low pressure and they actually might have crimped through the line.

I'm going to evaluate it one more time, if I can pull this hose by itself hose and replace it - thats what I'll do.

If I ever sell the boat, I want it all to be top quality work.

If it is a high pressure reinforced line, I don't know if a hose clamp will work reliably on a barb style fitting. Haven't tried that.

If you think you can pull the hose, make up a new one first. Get a coupler to tie the 2 hoses together. as you pull the bad one out, pull the new one in.