Oil Leaking from Edson Pedestal

[odonnellryan]

Standard white pedestal you see on many boats (Hunter Cherubini 37). It is leaking oil where the wheel enters the pedestal, maybe from the bearing ... ? It is definitely somewhat oily but could mostly be dirt as well, however it does leak a lot - but randomly. Probably weather dependent. It is a black color.

Cable steering btw, no hydraulics.

From what I remember when I took the wheel off and all the hardware over the winter, there really wasn't a place that could leak so much oil. So I'm both confused, and wondering if I should care. It is a decent amount. More than I imagine could fit anywhere like a bearing.

I did liberally oil the damn thing with various fluids when I pulled the wheel, so one idea is that it pooled up somewhere and is now slowly leaking out

It doesn't really bother me to wipe it up every so often as it comes right off the pedestal and the cockpit sole.

Research has given me no hits unfortunately

[NYSail]

There is no oil source in there....... probably what you added? What kind of oil did you use?? Those components are really to be greased...... maybe what you put on it washing all the grease off. I’d open it back up and make sure you don’t ruin the bearings.

Good luck
Greg

[odonnellryan]

Some penetrating oil to assist with the pulling of the wheel. Pribo kroil or something. I didn't internationally oil anything

[sailormed]

It could be oil from the compass.

[chouliha]

If it’s a Edson pedestal and there is grease weeping out of the area where the wheel exits the pedestal — it could be grease from the bearings. There are two roller bearings (in older models). Maybe by over oiling it maybe excess oil that is weeping out of the bearings. If there is no bubble showing in the top of the compass dome then that is not the issue

[NYSail]

Grease doesn’t drip..... it oozzes. Open it up, clean the oil you put in, regrease the bearings and will be done. Unless you broke the compass and it’s dripping. Different issue

Greg

[odonnellryan]

Maybe compass, that is a good idea. Definitely not a ooze, absolutely a drip/flow. Whatever it is has a low viscosity.

At least I know it isn't something that is going to blow up on me. I'll take it apart soon and do my best to inspect and clean it up.

Thanks everyone!

[bcboomer]

Compass oil.

Been there, done that.

If it's the original one it may need to be replaced.

[Captndave1]

Is your engine oil pressure gauge mounted on the pedistal?, mine leaked and made a mess.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by Captndave1

Is your engine oil pressure gauge mounted on the pedistal?, mine leaked and made a mess.

That would only be the case if your oil pressure gauge was mechanical. Usually an oil pressure gauge works off an electrical signal from a sensor on the block.

[MJH]

Originally Posted by odonnellryan

Standard white pedestal you see on many boats (Hunter Cherubini 37). It is leaking oil where the wheel enters the pedestal, maybe from the bearing ... ? It is definitely somewhat oily but could mostly be dirt as well, however it does leak a lot - but randomly. Probably weather dependent. It is a black color.

Cable steering btw, no hydraulics.

From what I remember when I took the wheel off and all the hardware over the winter, there really wasn't a place that could leak so much oil. So I'm both confused, and wondering if I should care. It is a decent amount. More than I imagine could fit anywhere like a bearing.

I did liberally oil the damn thing with various fluids when I pulled the wheel, so one idea is that it pooled up somewhere and is now slowly leaking out

It doesn't really bother me to wipe it up every so often as it comes right off the pedestal and the cockpit sole.

Research has given me no hits unfortunately

I replaced my entire steering system in 2014 with an Edson Classic pedestal. On the return from Hawaii in 2016 the crew noted a fluid stain down the backside of the pedestal below the wheel and up-down-side movement of the wheel. Edson supplied new bearings and grease at no charge which I replaced in 2016 and up-down-side movement disappeared. One year later up-down-side movement of the wheel was again noted and the company's president/owner was notified along with a video of the movement. An agreement was made to return the pedestal in 2018 during the normal 2-year maintenance cycle. In 2018 their (Edson) inspection noted that a "spacer" was missing and a new pedestal was sent to me which I installed; to date no further discrepancy has been noted.

I recommend you contact Edson. I found them easy to deal with. The unit does take a small amount of grease supplied with the bearing replacement kit.

Good Luck.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH