Mercruiser Power /Steering

[pcm]

Looking for some help! Just bought a 1989 Searay with a Mercruiser 4.3 engine with Power Steering. Its not possible to turn the steering wheel with engine running or stationary. I checked the power steering fluid reservoir and can't see any fluid(!). Is this the reason for the wheel being unable to turn??
I thought that , as in a car, if the hydraulic system does not work then the steering wheel should still operate in a fail/safe mode (or is this not the case with the Merc setup?).

[BAYLINER185]

Engine running or not the stearing wheel can still turn the drive. Its a lot harder but it can be done.

Now you say you cant so that indicates a problem. NO power stearing fluid at all, thats not good.

The 1st thing I would try to do in trouble shooting would be to fill the power stearing pump and start the engine and see if once the system fills with fluid the wheel turns. If not I would start to look for a leak because if your pump was empty the fluid had to go somewhere. It may be very obvious if there is a big leak.

Other then that it might be the power rack and pinion is shot. Im not sure how often this happens or if it does at all. The other thing is it may be the stearing cable.

Does the stearing wheel turn at all and nothing happens at the drive or is the wheel feel locked in place?

Again motor running or not you can turn the wheel and outdrive will move. It feels a bit tighter then a boat thats designed w/o power stearing when motor is off. Its very easy to spin the wheel with motor running.

[Haut Medoc]

I agree^^^^^^......
I would take a hard look at the steering cable end though they can get corroded.......
I would disconnect the cable from the steering arm & make sure the drive pivots freely & isolate where it is stuck......
Welcome to iboats, btw......

[Haut Medoc]

Check out this thread......
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread....Steering+cable

[Chris1956]

PCM, The P/S units are to assist in turning the steering wheel, under power. With the engine off the wheel should easily turn. The place the steering cable ususlly corrodes is where the steering rod (Stainless) goes through the steering tube (aluminum), at the outdrive. There is a large nut that you can loosen at the base of the steering cable. If the steering cable moves freely, it is corroded into the steering tube. Disconnect and pull out the tube and rod. heat the tube with a propane torch until the rod moves out. Now wipe it and grease it. Do not burn yourself, or set the boat on fire.

[pcm]

Hello everyone out there and thanks for the fantastic response to my dilemma! Following the advice given, I disconnected the cable at the point where it joins the outdrive mechanism and lo and behold (!) the outdrive moved freely but the steering wheel was fimly locked up. I then applied a very fine blow lamp to the metal tube at the end of the cable and after a few seconds it became free. The cable was totally dry and well siezed up. I was able to free it off and lubricate it and now the power steering works like a dream and yes, the wheel will steer without the engine running as suggested.
This is a great site - I'm in the UK and I guess that some of you who gave advice are elsewhere. If only everyone in the great wide world were so helpful to each other this would be a wonderful place!