Catamaran hydraulic steering questons

[rbrentp]

Hello,
I have a 35 foot Prout with a leak in the hydraulics somewhere as it keeps losing pressure without losing noticeable fluid. A full bleed is good for about eight hours of sailing then it becomes a spinning wheel to make a 10 degree course correction. DO I rebuild the teleflex Capilano and cylinder...is a rebuild really effective? Is a mechanical system better? Ideas and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Brent

[delmarrey]

If you can bleed it, and it works good for awhile, then you're getting air in the system. That's usually not the pump!

Check the line between your reservoir and pump. Your pump could be sucking air in from somewhere. Could be bad seals on the pump fittings.

To check the pump hold it hard-over (port or stbd) against the lock and see if it bleeds down (the wheel turns), and if your not losing fluid and the wheel turns then you either have a bypass in the cylinder or pump. Cap the lines to the cylinder and try again. If it by passes then maybe the pump.

Do you have a pressure relief valve in the system?

[rbrentp]

Have since discovered that the DPO mixed brake fluid and tranny fluids so seals are shot and valves probably have those weird clumps stuck in them. Will replace hoses while I am at it. Also need to cime up with a tiller back up.
Brent