need to flush power steering system.

[acdc96]

while winterizing my 87 Mercruiser 260hp V8 with a gen1 alpha, when checking all the fluid levels I noticed the power steering fluid was a pink color [almost like pepto bismol]. obviously water was mixed in with the ATF Fluid from when the power steering cooler leaked. i fixed the cooler during the summer. im 99.99% sure the cooler is not leaking. i think their was was water in the system still when i fixed the cooler. this coming spring i want finish the boat and register it and launch it.
how would i go about flushing the power steering system?


[run the engine and disconnect the return line and stick it in a bottle and pour ATF Fluid into the resivor until fluid is a translusent red?]

*Note: no work will be done on my boat until mid march or april due to the cold temps in my area [currently 17 deg F and dropping below 0 at night]*
im just looking how to do it come spring time.
any other info needed i will post if asked.

 

[bruceb58]

Get a suction pump and pump out the fluid in the reservoir first. Fill it up with clean and then do the procedure with the return line.

 

[Bondo]

while winterizing my 87 Mercruiser 260hp V8 with a gen1 alpha, when checking all the fluid levels I noticed the power steering fluid was a pink color [almost like pepto bismol]. obviously water was mixed in with the ATF Fluid from when the power steering cooler leaked. i fixed the cooler during the summer. im 99.99% sure the cooler is not leaking. i think their was was water in the system still when i fixed the cooler. this coming spring i want finish the boat and register it and launch it.
how would i go about flushing the power steering system?


[run the engine and disconnect the return line and stick it in a bottle and pour ATF Fluid into the resivor until fluid is a translusent red?]

*Note: no work will be done on my boat until mid march or april due to the cold temps in my area [currently 17 deg F and dropping below 0 at night]*
im just looking how to do it come spring time.
any other info needed i will post if asked.

Ayuh,.... That's exactly as I have done, with Great success,...

 

[acdc96]

That's a relief I thought it was going to be more involved and tearing down the system. Going to need a extra hand to turn the steering wheel to get the fluid moving out of the lines.
Thanks for the advise!!!