Mercruiser Alpha One power steering reservoir frothy pink

[trooper1954]

Hi all,
Brand new here and fairly new to boating. Just inherited a 1990 searay 16' with a 3.0 mercruiser engine and alpha one sterndrive. While winterising, I checked the power steering reservoir and found a creamy pink frothy situation in there. I know its water, but my question is where did it come from? The bilge is spotless and dry and shows no sign of ATF ( which I'm thinking was used and is creating the pink look) I'm wondering if perhaps because of lack of use, a seal in the one of the hydraulic cylinders has dryed out causing the water to get in?
I know I have to drain the system, but as I said I'm fairly new to baoting, and would like some help with this process. Do I disconnect the lines at the cylinders and then turn the wheel full laft then full right until I see fresh new fluid appearing? Would this be good enough to rid the system of all the water?
Any and all help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Scott06]

Could be from the power steering cooler. On flywheel cover on back if engine is a small heat exchanger that uses the cooling water sent up from outdrive to cool the ps fluid. Could have a pin hole. Would think if a cylinder was leaking you'd see fluid on outside.

You may may be able to change the fluid by sucking dry with turkey Baster, refilling, run it a bit and turn wheel and repeat until fluid is clean but need to see if you have a leak in cooler

 

[trooper1954]

Thank you Scott....
Was on another forum before I came here....wont name names.....35 people viewed my request with no answer. Thanks so much for a prompt and informative reply.
Will I be able to recognize this cooler...not that mechanical but willing

 

[QBhoy]

Not certain but will this have a power steering cooler ?
is it mayne just that someone has tipped it up with different oils ? Perhaps there is an air indicted leak ?

 

[Scott06]

http://ww2.iboats.com/Thermostat-An...791728--session_id.490572184--view_id.1681907

number 17 in diagram, could be air as mentioned. Was level ok?

 

[trooper1954]

No actually Scott, the reservoir was 3/4 full. If it' s air how do I determine that? I have just had shoulder surgery, and don't really want to tackle stuff in behind the engine. Is there something that I can do to minimise the damage if it is in fact water in the PSF without a lot of work?
Will this water do significant damage if it's not removed, or can I top up with good fluid and leave till Spring?
Thanks.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
forgive me if I’m wrong...but you say it’s behind the engine ? And the 3.0 you say too ?
usually the power steering is on front of the engine driven by a belt, if fitted. It’s a small black tank with a lid and dipstick attached.
Also...it’s not unheard of, but maybe 8/10 3.0 don’t have power steering.

Is it mayne the power trim reservoir you mean ?

 

[Scott06]

The cooler for the ps is on the back of the engine, pump and rsevior is up front.

If it is getting aerated by low level or sucking in air somewhere after letting it sit the bubbles should die down, if it stays pink and milky then likely moisture. If it is indeed moisture I'd suck it out of revelries top off, run it, move the wheel back and forth, repeat until clean before packing it up for the winter to prevent corrosion.

 

[trooper1954]

Thanks Scott,
Could I ask ....did you mean reservoir (tank) when you said "revelries"...if not I'm not sure what they are
Also... not knowing the history of the boat I guess its possible the fluids have been mixed/changed and there are different fluids in the tank?
I have new power steering fluid....I will suck out the tank, but what about the lines? Can I do this without disconnecting the lines at the pump?
I appreciate everyone's patience with this.
Thanks

 

[Scott06]

Yeah I meant reservoir . After you suck out the reservoir and refill- Start the engine and turn the wheel lock to lock. Repeat several times - suck out, refill, start and work the wheel.. 2-3 times of this and you should have flushed the whole system with out opening any fittings

 

[trooper1954]

Scott....I followed your directions to the T....ran the motor at idle with ears having drained the power steering reservoir by sucking out with turkey baster! Did this 10 times, and used 2 litres of fresh power steering fluid. Each time I turned the wheel from left to right 10 times, and then sucked out the tank. The fluid coming out after 10 attempts is still pink....I would say the same color as when I began.
A few questions:
what is the capacity of a mercruiser 3 litre power steering system?
Should I keep going as there is no improvement in color?
If water is getting in while I'm using the ears which seems likely in this scenario, where would it get in to keep contaminating the system.....the cooler?
Thanks again for your patience with this....now I'm getting a little frustrated

 

[Scott06]

Post a pic of the fluid

 

[trooper1954]

Thanks Scott.
First thing in the morning....at the moment its pink in color even tho the fresh fluid is clear....and it looks like pink milk.
I'll get it posted asap.

 

[Bt Doctur]

remove the power steering cooler for testing or just remove the 2 low pressure lines and connect them together for testing .
run on muffs ,your looking for water to come out of the oil line ports on the cooler. That cooler is the only source for water entering

 

[wahlejim]

Each time you are doing this, measure the amount of fluid going in and out as consistently as you can. If water is coming into the system, you should be able to tell through the volume difference.

 

[achris]

Most of the volume is in the pump and cooler. The actuator and lines probably carry 1/4 that of the pump and cooler...

It sounds very much like the cooler had failed. Leaving any water in a system not designed to have water in it is never a good idea. The shuttle valve in the steering actuator is small and made of steel. Leave that with water all winter and come spring it'll either be cracked (from the water freezing) or rusted solid.... Either way, you'll be up for a $920 new part plus labour to fit it....

Chris....

 

[GA_Boater]

If the fluid is put in a clear container, water should settle on the bottom. If it's air the bubbles will float to the top and dissipate.

BT's cooler by-pass is an excellent suggestion to determine if you have an air or water leak.

 

[trooper1954]

Thanks BtDoctur + wahlejim,
Have attached photos of the fluid color AFTER 2 litres of fresh oil through the reservoir.
Can you tell me on the cooler which are the two low pressure lines, and how would I connect them together?
Thanks

 

[trooper1954]

Thanks wahlejim and Bt Doctur,
I have included two photos of the PSF AFTER having run two liters of fresh through the system.
Can I ask how to determine the two low pressure lines when looking at the cooler, and also how would I connect them together?
This may be a duplicate message as it shows I sent one at 0832 this morning, but it doesn't show up. Sorry if I doubled up.
Thanks

 

[trooper1954]

Hmmmmm....and I want to try and fix my own boat???:laugh::laugh:
Sorry for the duplicate