autohelm squeeks

[iwillmott]

I have a 91 c34-the autohelm has started to squeek after about one hour of use. The power unit is hardwired so not sure if that's a st4000 or just a 4000. Now don't laugh but I poured fresh water into the belt on the wheel while running and the squeek stopped but I would relly like to know if there is a need for TLC inside the wheel housing.

[Tom Soko]

iwillmott,
If the motor unit is hardwired to the rest of the boat, then you have the original 4000 as I do, and not the ST4000.  I remember reading in the manual that lubricants should NOT be used inside the casing that encloses the belt.  In fact, I think that a fresh water rinse was exactly what they recommended.  If anyone has the manual handy, please confirm. 

[crieders]

some oily substance dripped out of my drive unit but it still works fine. Anything to do about that?

[iwillmott]

water seems to work tho what's the cause? No oil leakage anywhere-noise appears to come from the belt inside wheel housing......

[Stu Jackson]

The November 2008 Mainsheet magazine has a discussion of this issue with photos in the C320 Tech Notes pullout section, page T16.

It's just one of the advantage of being a C34 IA member is that you get the magazine with great articles about our C34s, but also very good information about other boats with similar issues.