If you give proper attention to the maintenance schedule, then it is pretty effortless to manage your boat steering system for the lifetime of your unit. So, if you are not aware of the proper maintenance procedures, then it is a good idea to go through the owner’s manual or learn from a professional. Otherwise, you will end up paying hundreds of dollars in the form of repair costs. A lot of anglers have pointed out that their boat steering wheel turns but the motor does not. If you’re in a similar position, then the solutions listed here should help you overcome this issue.
Boat Steering Wheel Turns But Motor Does Not
1. Refill oil
If you’re having these issues with the steering wheel and the motor is not turning, then there is a good chance that your unit is out of fluid. Even though the performance of the steering wheel deteriorates slowly when the fluid levels start to deplete, leaks in the unit can cause a sudden loss of control. So, you should first start by adding fluid from the market into the unit.
The fluid won’t cost you more than thirty dollars. Your issue with the steering system should be fixed after you top up the oil. Luckily, the procedure is quite simple. As long as you have the tubing to insert the fuel in your unit, it won’t take you long. So, head over to your local hardware store and get the necessary supplies.
2. Fix Leaks
If you’ve refilled the fuel recently and the issue with the steering system won’t go away, then you need to check the valves for possible leaks. Ideally, you shouldn’t run into issues with the fluid level for several weeks. So, if you’ve had to refill the oil in your unit after every five or six days, there is a good chance that your valves are leaking.
In this situation, you need to narrow down on the defective valve and replace it immediately. It might be a better idea to hire a professional for this task. That way, you won’t have to bother with renting the necessary tools to get the job done.
3. Fix Bolts
Depending upon the type of steering unit you’re using, it is quite common for users to struggle with broken or loose bolts behind the steering. So, even though the steering unit will move freely, it won’t have any impact on the motor. If you’re in a similar situation and the motor is not turning at all, then you need to manage the bolts behind the steering.
Most of the time, just tightening the bolts behind the unit should help you overcome this problem. But if the bolts broke, then you will have to find replacement bolts to install into your unit. Hopefully, the issue will be fixed at this stage, and you won’t have to bother with any other solutions. With that said, it is probably a good idea to get the steering system checked by an expert. This will help you avoid similar issues when you’re operating your boat.