No Power Steering

[300sflyer]

1994 Merc V6 with Alpha Gen2, equipped with power steering. It takes the same effort to turn the steering wheel with the engine off, as it does with the engine running on muffs. The fluid level in the pump is where it should be, and the belt is tight.

Is the pump itself likely to be faulty, or the PS control valve behind the engine?

Thanks

 

[alldodge]

Re: No Power Steering

Did it get this way slowly over time or did it happen all at once?

 

[300sflyer]

Re: No Power Steering

Don't know... Just bought the boat a few weeks ago. I have already changed out the engine, due to a cracked block. The PS pump is the original one.

 

[alldodge]

Re: No Power Steering

First take the steering cable out of the tube and see if its not corroided. If all looks good and it moves freely the need to find out what the pump output pressure is. The pump can put out around 2400 PSI. So if your liines are good and there are no other restrictions it sounds like your going to need a gauge and tee to test.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: No Power Steering

The steering cable was fine, so I tried a spare PS pump I had... Made no difference. Has to be a faulty steering actuator.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: No Power Steering

I just fixed a leak in mine this month & gave it a try without the belt to see.
If yours takes a lot of effort UNDERWAY you have a problem. But on muffs the pump does little because there is no load on the drive. It's a variable assist system and is actuated by steering effort.
So take a ride before you start repairing it. Might be OK.