Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

[kimchee]

Midway through last season, my outdrive resevoir was running low... So my dad decides that outdrive fluid is the same as power steering fluid... To make a long story short... He tops it off with the steering fluid from a mobil gas station, and continued on his merry way... For some reason, I thought it would be fine, until the 2 last trips of the season... When a hissing, constant squeeking sound started coming from the outdrive...

My question is, when my marina winterizes my boat and changes my gimbel bearing, will these maintenance procedures require them to drain the outdrive fluid and resevoir? Thus, draining the crap my dad poured in?

Yeah, I know STUPID beyond comprehension...

 

[Don S]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

Might want to post what this is on, OMC, Mercruiser, Volvo, engine model, drive model, year.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

First thing,Do you think it was the gimble bearing making the noise?The gimble bearing has nothing to do with the drive oil.
If the drive was losing gear oil then water was most likely getting in.
The drive needs to be drained and pressure tested.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

Hey,Welcome back Don. Hope you had a good vacation!

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

sounds like he topped off the gear oil with powersteering fluid. If this is the case then your outdrive is probably toast and the hissing and grinding you hear is probably the bearings overheating and falling apart. However, when winterizing they should replace the gear oil but don't assume they did or that replacing it will solve the problem. regaurdless your bearings are probably ruined. One other note for future reference 1) only use quicksilver gear oil in mercruiser outdrives and 2) lower unit should be pumped up from the bottom. if you pour it in from the top it traps air and you will not be able to get enough in.

 

[kimchee]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

sounds like he topped off the gear oil with powersteering fluid. If this is the case then your outdrive is probably toast and the hissing and grinding you hear is probably the bearings overheating and falling apart. However, when winterizing they should replace the gear oil but don't assume they did or that replacing it will solve the problem. regaurdless your bearings are probably ruined. One other note for future reference 1) only use quicksilver gear oil in mercruiser outdrives and 2) lower unit should be pumped up from the bottom. if you pour it in from the top it traps air and you will not be able to get enough in.

Actually, it isn't the gear oil resevoir, because the viscosity of that oil is much thicker than power steering fluid... I believe he pour it into what is called the "lower unit fluid resevoir."
Although thank you for your very stressing input...
Seriously though, Thank you for any input you may have...

 

[Coors]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

this thread should get interesting; oil is oil

 

[kimchee]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

Might want to post what this is on, OMC, Mercruiser, Volvo, engine model, drive model, year.

Mercruiser, 1996, 5.7L, I/O, 8 cylinder...
on a maxum 2300SC...

 

[kimchee]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

First thing,Do you think it was the gimble bearing making the noise?The gimble bearing has nothing to do with the drive oil.
If the drive was losing gear oil then water was most likely getting in.
The drive needs to be drained and pressure tested.

First off, thank you for your reply...
Well, I am having the gimble bearings replaced because my marina said they saw water in the bellows when they were winterizing my boat. So, it is very possible the noise was from the gimble bearings, assuming you think so... Quite frankly, I have no clue...

So, I assume based upon your response... The hissing is due to the gimble bearings going bad, and have nothing to do with the power steering fluid my dad poured into the lower unit resevoir...

Given my situation, what would you do?

 

[kimchee]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

this thread should get interesting; oil is oil

Is oil, oil? seriously !!
and if so, is power steering fluid, oil?
how about lower unit fluid?
cuz I know gear lube is OIL... that is why I am sure he didn't pour the power steering fluid(thin fluid) into the gear lube resevoir (thick fluid)...
kinda' funny for lay people like me...
I am sure you professionals, are laughing at the stupidity in this...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

Best case,Let them replace the gimble and bellows,check ujoints, Drain and inspect drive oil for water (milky color) and metal shavings. Refill drive if no sign of water or metal,run it and see how it does. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

kImchee said...."Actually, it isn't the gear oil resevoir, because the viscosity of that oil is much thicker than power steering fluid... I believe he pour it into what is called the "lower unit fluid resevoir.""

These are the same thing.

Maybe your talking about the trim motor resevoir?

 

[Don S]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

Power steering fluid is ATF and red in color
Gear lube in the drive is dark green if you are using Mercs Hi-Performance Gear lube.
Engine oil (depending on what has happened to it) is clear and golden brown colored when new. Black when old, and tan and milky with water in it.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

Didn't mean to stress you out but you were not clear as to where he put it. I based my responce on the symtoms that you reported. Those noises could very well be from the gimble bearing - be sure to replace bellows and probably U-joints as well. If it is in the resevoir for the trim motor then you are okay just drain and refill it . If it actually went in the lower unit/outdrive then you will have problems. As for the oil is oil comment - I along with many others will disagree. There are many different types of oil for very good reasons.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Power steering fluid in Outdrive fluid compartment? YIKES !!!

If it was the trim resevoir then ATF won't hurt it.8)