Bursting power steering lines

al0311

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Leaking power steering valve guide / actuator

Hi guys so I got a question. I noticed the other day that my valve guide around my power steering actuator was leaking. So I tightened it up. I also noticed that the power steering pressure line was leaking a little so I tightened that up also. Run the boat for a little bit and the one pressure line blew. So I go back to the line I don't see any leaks but up by the actuator valve guide is loose it moves up and down.
So I tightened it up the best I could fix the line and run it and the line blew again ! Lol
So my question is if the valve guide and maybe the actuator is bad would that cause the lines to blow ?
With that in mind I tired to remove It but it is a pita with little room to work in. Could I disconnect the power steering and still run the boat ?
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,..... Whatcha workin' on,..??

Whatcha callin' the "Valve Guide",..??
 

al0311

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Ayuh,..... Whatcha workin' on,..??

Whatcha callin' the "Valve Guide",..??

Number 17 in the attached pic is what the Manuel calls the valve guide
 

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Bt Doctur

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There should be no leakage from that part. .There is a high pressure feed line and a low pressure return line. What one is blowing and where.
 

al0311

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There should be no leakage from that part. .There is a high pressure feed line and a low pressure return line. What one is blowing and where.

Sorry for the late response but the high pressure line is blowing mid line like literally bursting. Do you think it's the oil cooler ?
 

al0311

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Hi guys I had my pressure power steering line from the cooler to the actuator bursts twice on me like mid line. Trying to figure out if the issue is coming from the cooler, the pump, or an issue with the actuator ?
It's a 1990 4.3 mercrusier Alpha one gen one
 

alldodge

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The cooler should be on the return line and have next to no pressure. Busting the line to the steering ram, I would think you have either a restriction in the ram which is not letting fluid pass, or the valve in the pump is letting pressure build to high. Need to get a high pressure gauge (more then 1200 psi) inline with the pump

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/servmanl/14/14a6.pdf
 

al0311

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The cooler should be on the return line and have next to no pressure. Busting the line to the steering ram, I would think you have either a restriction in the ram which is not letting fluid pass, or the valve in the pump is letting pressure build to high. Need to get a high pressure gauge (more then 1200 psi) inline with the pump

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/servmanl/14/14a6.pdf

So both lines on the cooler going to the acutaotor are return lines ?
 

alldodge

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The line comes from the pump to the ram. The return line comes from the ram, thru the cooler and then to the pump. High pressure is only on the line between the pump and ram.

Click on the link in previous post, it has good images of how it works
 

al0311

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The line comes from the pump to the ram. The return line comes from the ram, thru the cooler and then to the pump. High pressure is only on the line between the pump and ram.

Click on the link in previous post, it has good images of how it works

Wow lol I have to look st the cooler lines cause mine might be screwed up with where there running. I'm at work right now but if my memory works I think both lines are running from the acutaotor right to the cooler I guess that's wrong lol
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,.... If it is the return line, as it should be,....

Look at the cooler for a restriction,... Make sure the hose isn't gettin' hit or pinched by something,....
 
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