1990 4.3L Cobra - power steering cooler winterization

[jon705]

Found out (the bad way) that the PO didn't winterize everything properly. The power steering cooler developed a pinhole leak which was interesting to track down. I first noticed the bilge (very slowly) filling with water on our first trip out but only when the engine was running. Back at home in the driveway I took the engine cover off and watched things for a bit finally noticing a fine stream of water shooting from the back of engine upward. Felt around and determined it was either PS hoses leaking at the connections or bad cooler. Changed hoses with no luck. Took the cooler off and could see swelling at the seam. On a side note removing that cooler is a pain. Tight space + adult hands = bear to get off! Luckily my local radiator shop said he can fix the cooler.

Seems simple enough but when I winterize the rest of the boat after the end of this season should I remove the PS hoses too?

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Don S]

Re: 1990 4.3L Cobra - power steering cooler winterization

when I winterize the rest of the boat after the end of this season should I remove the PS hoses too?

Of course you need to drain the cooler, Unless you want to fix the cooler next spring as well. Just pull the water hose off the low end of the cooler and let the water drain.