mizzkim
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2012
- Messages
- 28
Hi all. I just installed a new garmin system in my dual helm chb trawler. While bleeding the system the helms got stiff and almost impossible to steer. The smart pump moves the rudder without much effort so it seems it’s not returning fluids to the helms. I verified the 3 lines going to the pump from the helm multiple times and they are correct. Used sea star fluid. I removed the shadow drive and replaced it with a union so it’s not the problem. Garmin reps focused on that and if I used proper sealer on my fittings. Didn’t matter what I did the helms were almost impossible to use yet moving the rudder with the new autopilot display arrows on the dash seems effortless. Garmin has agreed to send a new smart pump 40. Anyone have an idea or experience with it? When using the autopilot does it send return fluid through the helms or is the return line only utilized when steering manually? The smart pump has a manual screw type valve for bleeding or bypass that didn’t seem to do or change anything. I am waiting and haven’t hooked up the lines for manual steering again. Thanks. Terry