mrainey889
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
- Messages
- 34
Greetings fellow boaters,
My 1990 Rinker (4.3 Merc, Alpha I Gen I, 18' Open Bow) has decided to start eating power steering fluid. This problem actually started last year when I had bunch of noise (more like strong vibrations) coming from the engine/outdrive area when trimmed fully up and turning, such as right when launching or trailering the boat. Last year when this vibration happened I found the power steering resevoir empty, so I refilled it with power steering fluid and life was good, no bad vibrations (no pun intended, hopefully the Beach Boys won't sue me) for the rest of the summer...probably a good 20-25 hours of boating.
First launch this year I had the same vibration/noise from the back so I checked the power steering fluid level and sure enough it was bone dry. Filled her back up, vibs went away, and everything seemed good again.
Unfortunately, and not entirely unexpected, the leak apparently has become worse. Before the end of the day I was low on fluid again. Obviously a major change for only having to add fluid once last year.
What I can not figure out is where the fluid is going. I would think at this point if it was leaking from the pump or a hose I would have quite the mess somewhere in the engine compartment or rear of the boat. I can find no such mess. So, I figure the fluid is leaking in to the lake somehow. What I do not understand is...where? I don't think the hydraulic fluid for the outdrive pistons is in common with the power steering is it? That was the only culprit I could think of...
My bilge is clean and oil free, which I would not expect if power steering fluid was leaking in to it...
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
My 1990 Rinker (4.3 Merc, Alpha I Gen I, 18' Open Bow) has decided to start eating power steering fluid. This problem actually started last year when I had bunch of noise (more like strong vibrations) coming from the engine/outdrive area when trimmed fully up and turning, such as right when launching or trailering the boat. Last year when this vibration happened I found the power steering resevoir empty, so I refilled it with power steering fluid and life was good, no bad vibrations (no pun intended, hopefully the Beach Boys won't sue me) for the rest of the summer...probably a good 20-25 hours of boating.
First launch this year I had the same vibration/noise from the back so I checked the power steering fluid level and sure enough it was bone dry. Filled her back up, vibs went away, and everything seemed good again.
Unfortunately, and not entirely unexpected, the leak apparently has become worse. Before the end of the day I was low on fluid again. Obviously a major change for only having to add fluid once last year.
What I can not figure out is where the fluid is going. I would think at this point if it was leaking from the pump or a hose I would have quite the mess somewhere in the engine compartment or rear of the boat. I can find no such mess. So, I figure the fluid is leaking in to the lake somehow. What I do not understand is...where? I don't think the hydraulic fluid for the outdrive pistons is in common with the power steering is it? That was the only culprit I could think of...
My bilge is clean and oil free, which I would not expect if power steering fluid was leaking in to it...
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
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