Trim and Steering Fluid Droppping

[EricT22]

Looking for some help here. Just bought my first boat, 1988 sea ray Seville 20’ Cuddy. I was checking the fluids and doing some maintenance after my first trip out on the water and i noticed the power trim and steering fluid dropped quite a bit. So first is there a specific type of fluid i should be adding? Also should this be dropping or do i have a leak/issue somewhere? Any advice or help is appreciated. Motor is a Merc 4.3L v6

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome:

the power steering gets . . . Power Steering Fluid

The trim usually gets 30 weight motor oil

Do you have the service manual for the outdrive? That will specify the trim pump fluid.

keep an eye out for how fast the fluid levels go down and if you see any evidence of leaks.

 

[JoLin]

Hi and welcome to iboats. I'm not following which fluid is low- the power steering fluid, or the tilt/trim fluid? They're separate systems. They don't get "used up". No reason for either of them to be dropping unless there's a leak.

First, identify for us which one of the two has a problem. Second, is there fluid in the bilge of the boat?

 

[EricT22]

Sorry its the power steering reservoir right at the top of the belts. I think. I don’t have a service manual where can i get one? I noticed a little bit of oil slick when i pulled it out of the water and pulled the drain.

 

[EricT22]

It’s def the power steering fluid and I haven’t noticed any leaks but i need to give it a better look. Just didnt know how fast the fluid should be dropping. Where does the trim fluid go so i can check that as well?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Power steering oil dropping and an oil slick is most likely a leaking power steering cooler

 

[EricT22]

Is there a specific power steering fluid I should use or not use?

 

[tpenfield]

Is there a specific power steering fluid I should use or not use?

No . . .