Power Steering fluid lose

[Pirate Lady]

So my guy said I am losing fluid, i knew that. Its not going into bilge. He said I may be losing in the cooler and it’s going out the exhaust.
1. I had no idea there was a cooler for power steering and why?
2. So if that true, would the bad part be the pump or the cooler?
3. Anybody got a schematic to post that shows this?
4. Why is it that unlike a car, when my pump is out of fluid I feel no difference in the steering?
He said we will fix come spring, but i am curious how this works.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yup, it's a normal thing to have. It's inline with the seawater hose from the raw water pump. Depending on year, it could be up high behind the engine or down low. Just follow the hose and you'll see it. Replace the cooler. This has nothing to do with the pump - totally different circuit. As far as how it works, it's exactly like any other cooler, even on a car... one fluid (whether air/water/coolant) cools another fluid by heat transfer.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Yup, it's a normal thing to have. It's inline with the seawater hose from the raw water pump. Depending on year, it could be up high behind the engine or down low. Just follow the hose and you'll see it. Replace the cooler. This has nothing to do with the pump - totally different circuit. As far as how it works, it's exactly like any other cooler, even on a car... one fluid (whether air/water/coolant) cools another fluid by heat transfer.

So mechanic said lets keep an eye on it. If its a tiny dribble, cheaper to top it off, its its a bad leak, replace. Can that be replaced with boat in water? Trying to decide if i should replace before I launch in spring.
And thx for reply.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yes, it can be done in the water. I wouldn't base this repair on cost, though - at some point you're going to lose all power steering (not the end of the world, of course). But since it's inevitable, why not do it proactively. Besides, it's not like the repair is going to get cheaper over time.

 

[BillK2632]

They are not terribly expensive and easy to swap. Check out Mr Cool for an idea on the part cost.

 

[Flyer5]

Yes, it can be done in the water. I wouldn't base this repair on cost, though - at some point you're going to lose all power steering (not the end of the world, of course). But since it's inevitable, why not do it proactively. Besides, it's not like the repair is going to get cheaper over time.

Or your going to contaminate the power steering system with seawater. Cheaper now to replace the cooler.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Or your going to contaminate the power steering system with seawater. Cheaper now to replace the cooler.

Good point.

 

[Bill Curtis]

The PS cooler (on mine anyway) is the the same cooler as the engine oil cooler. 2 coolers in 1. Down low on port side of engine.

PS: There is a water drain plug on the bottom that should be pulled to drain the water when the engine is winterized.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thx all, i will pursue having the mechanic change before launch.
PS if that cooler is same for power steering fluid and oil, why would I be losing ps fluid and not oil?

Because PS and Engine oil are two different things - different circuits. Otherwise we wouldn't use two different fluids for those things

 

[Scott215]

You could change yourself it's right at the back of the motor a couple of hose clamps one on each end of bolt in the middle and a pressure sensor it's very simple and they are inexpensive