I bought a 1986 Four Winns 21' Open Bow a month or so back. On the test drive the steering was a bit choppy, noticed low power steering fluid. I filled it up after buying the boat and the next two trips were perfect. On the next trip it was pulling left hard. If I let go of the wheel the wheel would actually turn itself hard left (I mean hard, like a hard turn trying to dump someone off a tube.) I found the fluid was low again and assumed the system had air in it before. Worked perfectly again for one trip. At home I was checking the fluid levels and again found it dry. I ran on muffs filling and steering until it was full (almost two quarts.) After the next trip again the reservoir was empty.
I noticed a fair amount of "oil" milk in the bilge water and now assume that is power steering fluid. After reading other threads I checked the hose ends on the pump and steering ram (is that what you call it?) No leak. Is the cooler below the engine in the bilge area? I see a larger line coming from the "ram" to below the engine and a smaller one back to the pump from below the engine. I assume these are going to the cooler? I would have to remove the seat to reach down there to check for a leak.
I did notice some fluid on the bottom of the power steering pump. It overflowed once when I was refilling, so I'm not sure if the fluid is the leak or if I have to pull the seat out. The only other spot I noticed anything was on the shaft of the ram there was some oily substance, but I assume that is just grease to lube it. Any advice?
I noticed a fair amount of "oil" milk in the bilge water and now assume that is power steering fluid. After reading other threads I checked the hose ends on the pump and steering ram (is that what you call it?) No leak. Is the cooler below the engine in the bilge area? I see a larger line coming from the "ram" to below the engine and a smaller one back to the pump from below the engine. I assume these are going to the cooler? I would have to remove the seat to reach down there to check for a leak.
I did notice some fluid on the bottom of the power steering pump. It overflowed once when I was refilling, so I'm not sure if the fluid is the leak or if I have to pull the seat out. The only other spot I noticed anything was on the shaft of the ram there was some oily substance, but I assume that is just grease to lube it. Any advice?