Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

[hal2814]

I was finishing up winterization yesterday on my 1990 Merc 4.3L Alpha One when I noticed the power steering pump reservoir was overfolwing and the fluid was a milky white mess. The power trim still functions properly but I haven't touched it since I noticed the fluid since I don't want to damage anything. Is this some sort of leak? Is it something else? What sort of steps can I take to confirm the problem? I'm afraid of performing the leak testing I found in the Merc manual pdf with the fluid in that shape.

 

[Don S]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

Water is leaking in past the trim cylinder shaft seal, it's a double lipped seal, so it won't leak oil out, just water in. That is why it overfills itself.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

I was finishing up winterization yesterday on my 1990 Merc 4.3L Alpha One when I noticed the power steering pump reservoir was overfolwing and the fluid was a milky white mess. The power trim still functions properly but I haven't touched it since I noticed the fluid since I don't want to damage anything. Is this some sort of leak? Is it something else? What sort of steps can I take to confirm the problem? I'm afraid of performing the leak testing I found in the Merc manual pdf with the fluid in that shape.

Which Is It,..??.....

Steering or Trim,..??.....

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

Thats why I didn't answer it earlier. Leaky trim turned into Power Steering....backed off before a headache I couldn't get rid off showed up

 

[Don S]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

Didn't notice that till you guys mentioned it. But my bet is that it is a trim problem. Milky oil in the power steering would be pink. The trim/tilt oil used in Mercs is SUPPOSED to have oil in it, which turns white, or gray. but not pink.

 

[hal2814]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

Sorry, my mistake. It's certainly trim. Should've been "trim pump reservoir." Power steering is a-ok. Just a typo on my part.

 

[hal2814]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

Power trim isn't something I've had to work with before so forgive me if this comes off as a dim question. By "trim cylinder shaft seal" do you mean the end cap (The part labelled "A" on figure 22133 on page 5D-3 of this doc http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6D5R3.PDF)? That seems to make the most sense based on Don's desription. And thank you guys so much for the help even if I did give a confusing description.

 

[Don S]

Re: Power Trim leak? (milky overflowing trim fluid)

Yep, that's the one.