[dboresky]

I have a 94 Malibu FlightCraft with a 94 Merc 200 HP EFI and the Merc Electric assisted Hydraulic Power Steering.This summer I started to have some intermittent steering stiffness that required both hands for a left hand turn. At the end of the summer the power assist went completely.When I took it into my dealership, they had never seen the system so didn't know anything about it. They did however check it over and found that it was over-filled (dumb me didn't check the level since I bought the boat two years ago) and that the electric motor had oil in it.They sent the motor to be rearmatured and cleaned up. They also brought the fluid down to the proper level. However, the stiffness still persists. They don't want to dig any further because they say there is a "one-time" washer thathas to be broken for the unit to be taken apart and they don't think they can get parts for that unit anymore.Also ... before I took it in, the motor used to run for a short period after the key was turned on to, presumably, build up pressure in the system. Now ... it runs continuously. Do you know which it should be ?I know these systems have a poor reputation, but is the situation as hopeless as my guy is telling me ?? Is there anywhere that I might be able to source some non-merc parts and/or send the unit away for repair. Could the stiffness berelated to anything other than the hydraulic pump itself - given that the problem started intermittently ?If I do have to replace the whole unit, what would you suggest I put in ?Any information / advice you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated.

[snapperbait]

Have not seen that system before, however there are two things I would check..#1 Bleed the system... Any air trapped in the system can and will cause steering problems...#2 The steering hydraulic cylinder may be damaged...If you do end up replacing the entrie thing, check out teleflex's Seastar system.. http://www.teleflexmorse.com/Marine/tm100.asp?id=10