POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK

[Steve255AJ]

Happy New Year to all!
I've been picking away when I can working on the Amberjack so it won't all catch up with me in March. I still have not been able to resolve the trim issue but that's another thread and thank you to everyone who has given advise on it.
I have another issue that I'm hoping someone can shed light on.
The power steering fluid leaks into the bilge. It seems to be leaking from this "junction thing" that is under the engine just aft of the alternator. The water inlet hose from the stern drive goes into it and then comes out the other side and goes into the water pump for the engine. However the power steering line ALSO goes into it and then comes out and continues to the steering rack. I never noticed this until this past Sunday when I was replacing the engine bilge pump.
First, can anyone tell me what this "junction thing" is for? (does it cool the power steering fluid?), if so, why?
Secondly, can I just by-pass it with a new power steering line to eliminate the leak?
Thirdly, If I'm able to run new p/s line can I then eliminate this junction and put a hose connector for the water inlet line?
This thing seems totally unnecessary to me but I could be wrong?
The power steering fluid seems to be seeping from this "junction thing" and contaminating the bilge which is aggravating since I've spent so much time trying to keep it clean.
Thank you to everyone here who help new SeaRay owners like myself with our "odd" questions, it is much appreciated.
Steve.

 

[techmitch]

Sounds like you are talking about the power steering cooler and yes it is necessary.
How about posting some good pics.

 

[Strecker25]

Pics would be good, likely the cooler, and often it’s as simple as the compression fitting or hose clamp loosening up. Ours needed a tightning once a season or it would also start a very slow leak

 

[Bill Curtis]

With out it, power steering fluid would overheat / boil up in no time, ruining the PS system. Is there 2 hydraulic type hoses, or 4 connected to it, other than the large raw water lines? I ask, because some set ups have the engine oil cooler built into it, too.

Not too hard but a real PITA to change, providing there is room.

 

[MattB92]

I had similar issues, ended up being the low pressure line. I just spliced it with a similar spec'd hydraulic hose. If you can't find exact source of leak, buy a few bottles of ATF and bring your eagle eyes with ya. Can be hard to find sometimes

Took me a while to find this little pin hole leak at the cooler

 

[Steve255AJ]

Thank you all for letting me know what that is and that it is needed.
I will look into it next weekend to determine if I can repair it so it won't leak anymore. If not I will try to get the part to replace.
Question, ...IF I take the belt off and run with no pwr steering, is that possible ?
this would at least prevent any more leaking into the bilge for now.

 

[Bill Curtis]

Sure you can run without PS, but will be really hard to steer when trying to dock. I know from 1st hand experience on that one when a PS line popped on a boat about the same size as yours.

I see you have a '85, so you do have V belts, so it would be easy, provided nothing else ran off that belt.

 

[Steve255AJ]

I finally found the leak. It is leaking from the steering rack. I'm definitely NOT getting into replacing that right now, I have too many other projects going on at this time. I'll take the belt off and run with no power steering for now and next winter I'll tackle the rack.

 

[Scott215]

On a boat like my 215 weekender with one return and one pressure line for the PS why would it get so hot. I am curious, thanks

 

[Bill Curtis]

What is getting hot? the PS fluid? If so, check and make sure your oil cooler is there, intact and has water flow through it while engine is running.

 

[Scott215]

Sorry I mean why can't you bypass it if it where leaking, mine is fine. It just said in this thread that it would boil quickly

 

[Lazy Daze]

Running without power steering... you better start eating your Wheaties! That's not going to be fun.

On a side note... that bilge is a mechanic's dream! The accessibility to the engine (ALL sides) is incredible. It doesn't get much better than that. That makes the work you're doing (and will do) soooooo easy!!! Very nice!

 

[Scott215]

I'm trying to find the reason why somebody said without a cooler the power steering fluid would just boil over real quickly I just want to know the explanation as to why Old cars never have them new cars do that's all I'm asking

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'm trying to find the reason why somebody said without a cooler the power steering fluid would just boil over real quickly I just want to know the explanation as to why Old cars never have them new cars do that's all I'm asking

My response to the original poster about his issue.

But, when you compress something, it heats up. It stands to reason that older systems maybe didn't work under as much pressure?

 

[Scott215]

I was curious because some people just bypass them . Was wondering how hot the p/s fluid would get

 

[Steve255AJ]

Yes, Lazy Daze, the engine area is very easy to work in. I can easily kneel on either side of the engine and work on it. I've had no problems relating to space doing any of the work I've done. Even hauling the engine to replace the starter was relatively easy (Although I wouldn't want to do a starter very often, lol) I just replaced the manifolds and risers and did plugs at the same time and it was a breeze, plenty of room to work on it.
I even installed a light in the engine area which I connected to the cockpit light circuit which is very helpful.
I've often thought, when working on the engine, how in the heck would I do this if this boat was twin engines? How would I reach the oil filters? Where would I kneel to work on the trim pump? How would I have done the manifolds and risers? Honestly, my hat is off to the people who have twin engines in these smaller boats with little or no room between the engines or on the engine bay itself.
The larger boats have wider beams and there's some room to work on the twins and I totally get it if your going off shore in the ocean in these smaller boats that you'd want twin engines but it is a tight fit for the twins.

 

[Steve255AJ]

As far as the steering goes, I'll have to deal with it for now.
Luckily my boating / launching / docking situation is very easy with very little maneuvering needed.
The ramp I use at Mile Creek on Lake Keowee is very rural and quiet most of the time and the triple ramp has a very easy and straight on approach for docking. The docks extend a good distance out from the ramps and separate them for easy docking.
I just idle in between the docks, put it in reverse until the boat stops and tie off, it's embarrassingly easy compared to some of the other docking situations I've been in over the years.
If you can't dock a boat at Mile Creek Park you probably shouldn't be at the helm, LOL.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Steve... yup, been there done that with tighter bilges. When I open a hatch and see something like your setup, it's like a pleasant surprise!

Can you at least locate the leak point by cleaning it off real well first? Maybe you'll get lucky and it's just a loose fitting or clamp?

 

[Steve255AJ]

I'm going to take a closer look at it tomorrow.
I'm planning on doing some "spring commissioning" on the boat tomorrow, the weather forecast has no cold temps predicted for the next 10 days, which puts us into the warmer weather here so I'm safe to flush the water system and run the engine to change the oil.
I'll look at the steering rack to see if anything is obviously loose.

 

[BillK2632]

Yeah, take a look at the PS hoses, possibly just need to tighten something up. I have had several PS leaks that mysteriously appeared and it was just a matter of tightening a hose. If it IS the rack leaking it will be around the piston seals, in that case the rack can be rebuilt for a lot less $$ than a new one.