Power Steering Fluid Leak, Where's the Cooler?

[Nitro15]

I've been noticing that the steering wheel has been harder to turn lately, especially at lower speeds. I checked my fluid reservoir & sure enough it was extremely low. I filled it to the appropriate line on the dipstick & all seemed well (at least for the day). I checked it the following morning & it was low again which leads me to believe I have a leak somewhere, possibly at the cooler hose connections? I'd like to check there first but am not sure where the steering cooler is located. Does anyone have a general idea of where to look? Boat is a 97 215 Express Cruiser w/ the 5.7l Thunderbolt.

 

[Nater Potater]

I assume you're not seeing anything in the bilge. The cooler on your 5.7 "should" be under the port-front corner of the engine in the incoming water line coming from the outdrive. Also check for any milky discoloration in the power steering fluid which would point to a leak in the cooler.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just follow the lines. You'll see it in the back of the engine.

What's the condition of the existing fluid?

Is the pump, itself, leaking? How 'bout at the actuator?

Nater, the one behind the port mount is the fuel cooler (if he has fuel injection).

 

[Nitro15]

I assume you're not seeing anything in the bilge. The cooler on your 5.7 "should" be under the port-front corner of the engine in the incoming water line coming from the outdrive. Also check for any milky discoloration in the power steering fluid which would point to a leak in the cooler.

Tough to tell what's in the bilge, the water has always been slightly discolored ever since I brought the boat home. I'm going to vacuum it all out this week & start fresh. But I'll check that location for the cooler & report back. Thank you for pointing it out, saved me from performing another contortionist act trying to see what goes where!

 

[Nitro15]

Just follow the lines. You'll see it in the back of the engine.

What's the condition of the existing fluid?

Is the pump, itself, leaking? How 'bout at the actuator?

Nater, the one behind the port mount is the fuel cooler (if he has fuel injection).

The existing fluid looks good (at least to my untrained eye). I didn't see any leaks coming from the pump but I'll certainly check again to be sure. I'll also check the actuator. Good catch, I hadn't even considered that. Thank you man... And no efi on this old girl, she's carbed up! Lol

 

[Lazy Daze]

Tough to tell what's in the bilge, the water has always been slightly discolored ever since I brought the boat home. I'm going to vacuum it all out this week & start fresh.

That's a good start as there shouldn't be any water in the bilge unless you introduce water into the cockpit... I think the cockpit drains into the bilge? It's been so long since I had mine, I don't recall if it drained directly overboard. But IIRC, water that makes it into the engine box channel drains into the bilge?

 

[Nitro15]

You

That's a good start as there shouldn't be any water in the bilge unless you introduce water into the cockpit... I think the cockpit drains into the bilge? It's been so long since I had mine, I don't recall if it drained directly overboard. But IIRC, water that makes it into the engine box channel drains into the bilge?

You know, I've only owned the boat for about 3 weeks so I'm still trying to figure out all of its inner workings. But I think you're correct in that any cockpit water drains into the bilge. I typically hose the floor down after a long day (my guests sure do love to leave a mess lol) & direct the water at the two scuppers/ drains underneath the rear seats. However, I don't think they drain overboard but instead flow into the bilge like you mentioned. After hosing the floor, the bilge pump will eventually kick on.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Check the clamps on the PS return hoses. Although they are low pressure the hose will compress over time and tightening of the hose clamps will stop the leak if that is the source.

 

[Lazy Daze]

In that case, do you like you are thinking - get all the water out and clean the bilge. Also clean the engine really well. It makes it much easier to find leak points. You'll just need to get up close and personal with things.

 

[Nitro15]

Check the clamps on the PS return hoses. Although they are low pressure the hose will compress over time and tightening of the hose clamps will stop the leak if that is the source.

I'll check that too! The return hose should also be located on the pump right? You'll have to excuse my ignorance when it comes to these things, I owned a waverunner prior to getting the boat which didn't have nearly as many parts to deal with! I simply ask because I only saw one line coming from the pump which looked to be in good condition, clamp & all.

 

[Nitro15]

In that case, do you like you are thinking - get all the water out and clean the bilge. Also clean the engine really well. It makes it much easier to find leak points. You'll just need to get up close and personal with things.

I'll certainly do that. And I couldn't agree with you more about really getting to know the boat inside & out. In my few short weeks of ownership, I've quickly realized that nothing comes easy even on what may seem like the simplest of jobs. This forum has been an invaluable source of help & knowledge to me. You guys rock.

 

[Nater Potater]

The return hose should also be located on the pump right? I simply ask because I only saw one line coming from the pump which looked to be in good condition, clamp & all.

Since it has a hose clamp, you're probably looking at the return/low pressure line that @Wanderer 290 referred to in post #8. It comes into the port side of the reservoir (at least on mine). The high-pressure line comes into the back of the pump, and is usually pretty reliable as far as leaks are concerned. I just got through the same with my '92; leaking from a loose hose clamp. Hopefully, that's all the leaks you have. 'Pretty common for the hose to get saggy over time.

 

[Nitro15]

Here's a quick update from yesterday (possibly some good news): first thing I did was check the reservoir & to my surprise it seemed to be holding the fluid that I put in this past Saturday (the 11th). I was able to locate both the high pressure & return lines that lead back to the cooler & steering actuator. Although they were very difficult to see since they're at the back of the engine, I didn't see any obvious leaks. The hoses were all connected as they should be & the clamps were intact.

I started the boat & had my neighbor turn the wheel a few times back & forth while I looked for any leaks. Again, I couldn't see any glaring signs of a leak that could pinpoint me to the direct cause of the fluid being low on prior occasions. Is it possible that maybe the fluid was just low & needed to be topped off? I'm not ruling anything out just yet & will continue to keep an eye on it. Hoping that maybe, just maybe I got lucky this time!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Unfortunately, like in a car, the only way to be low on fluid would be if the fluid went somewhere it didn't belong. However, it could be a very slow leak - or possibly a previous leak that previous owner addressed but never filled the reservoir back up. Monitor for now. If you have cleaned things off REAL well, you can check for leaks just by using your fingers - you wouldn't necessarily need to to actually look.

 

[Nater Potater]

To add a bit to @Lazy Daze note; if the PO had a leak that allowed the fluid level to drop to the point that the pump started sucking air, it could take some time before all of the air gets purged out of the system. Until that's complete, the level will continue to drop. After running for a bit, you can look down into the reservoir to check for pink foam, indicating air being purged from the system. Assuming no more leaks, it'll eventually level out.
The funny part is, many don't think to check the fluid level until they hear the pump squalling.

 

[Nitro15]

Would either of you guys recommend draining the existing fluid & replacing it according to the steps in the service manual? I've attached the cut sheet for reference.

 

[Nater Potater]

As long as you don't have any signs of water intrusion, I wouldn't think so. Since the fluid doesn't course through the engine, you don't get the contaminations like with engine oil, thus, no need to change it on a regular basis. However, if your oil looks dirty, your system would probably be coming apart (pump going south), and would need to have major components replaced. 'Very rare in my experience, as long as you don't allow water into the system.

 

[Happy Hour IV]

Just a thought about changing the fluid copied from a non boating website
No, it is not as hygroscopic as brake fluid. However, it can degrade over time - especially if the level is low and it gets overheated,

 

[Nater Potater]

I definitely wouldn't fault anyone for wanting to change it if they had a concern of degradation and/or contamination.

 

[Nitro15]

I definitely wouldn't fault anyone for wanting to change it if they had a concern of degradation and/or contamination.

I think I may just do it, if only for peace of mind. I have the engine cover/ seat off at the moment so now's the time while there's room to work. I can hook up my extractor pump to the #2 battery & have the old fluid out in about 5 minutes. Then, I can refill & make sure that there's no air in the system.