Camanos 31 Owner's Handbook Manual - page 22
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obvious and easily remedied, get on the radio and get some help. Most of the other causes for your
problems are internal mechanical failure.
Rising Oil Level
?
Diesel dilution of oil
?
Blown head gasket/cracked head
?
Water in cylinders
Loss of Steering
If you suddenly lose steering, the most likely cause is a loss of hydraulic fluid. Fortunately, this rarely
happens, and even if it does, you can take steps to at least temporarily remedy the problem and get
back to port safe ly. If you have lost hydraulic fluid, it is almost certain to have occurred because one of
the hydraulic line fittings came loose. The fittings are located behind the bookshelf on the starboard
side of the salon. Other fittings are at the helm pumps, the autopilot pump (if installed as an option on
your boat) located in the forward, starboard engine room (or behind the power panel on some boats),
and the steering ram in the lazarette. Locate the loose fitting (there should be fluid all around it) and
tighten it to make sure the system is no longer leaking. Fill the helm pump with the proper hydraulic
fluid if you have some on board. If you don't, you can use engine oil or even water. Believe it or not
you could even use the air in the hydraulic system to steer the boat. It will be very mushy but it will
work and you will be able to maneuver if you take your time. If you use something other than the
proper steering fluid you should replace whatever you have used with the proper hydraulic fluid (as
recommended by the manufacturer) as soon as possible. If the incorrect fluid is left in the steering
system the seals will eventually give up the ghost and you will have a major expense on your hands.
Once in port, call the manufacturer and find out the correct procedure for flushing out the steering
system and replacing the fluid.
Water in the Bilges
Every Camano is equipped with an automatic pump in the engine bilge directly below the shaft ahead
of the shaft seal. A second pump is located beneath the holding tank that is covered by removable
decking underneath the galley steps at the galley deck level. Newer boats have a third pump in the
lazarette.
Engine Bilge
Invariably, water in the engine bilge is the result of leakage through the screw down cap on the raw
water strainer. All Volvo engines installed in Camanos have the raw water strainer sitting just above
the raw water pump at the forward end of the engine. When the cap is replaced after cleaning the
strainer, it must be snugged down by hand until it is as tight as possible otherwise it will leak. You will
really have to lean on it if you want a dry bilge.
Useful Tip: Use a little Vaseline on the threads and the top sealing surface of the raw water strainer in
order to get a better seal.
If you find salt stains around and below the strainer, they are most likely from a leaking cap and not
because of a problem with the water pump. Clean up any salt, double check that the cap is really tight
and check again later. If the problem persists, you may have to replace the strainer or have the pump
assessed.