Power Steering Question

[M.A.CCruiser]

First things first - Newly installed Mercruiser 5.7 S/N 13217093 (according to install invoice) Since the break in oil change at 20 hrs (45 hrs on it now) i've noticed a bit of white smoke from the exhaust on the boat. It's only noticeable at idle, and for all intents and purposes pretty much stops after throttling up to speed. My assumption was condensation build up "steaming" off as there wasn't any smell to it like something was burning. I also flush through a Superflush system with Salt-Away after every run. So again, i assumed it sat in there and steamed off when the engine started running.

Well this weekend the smoke was pretty intense when first idling out of the marina. I also began to notice the steering started getting a bit tight. It was going to be a short day, so i didn't pay too much attention as the smoke stopped again once i had the boat up on plane and moving along. On the way back to the marina the steering was VERY tight so i had my concerns. We were back after last pull out, and I had family with me. So I put a note to work-rack me and i would be back in the morning to wash and work.

Went back Sunday morning and first thing pulled the plug. Out came a flow of water and a reddish color of what i can assume is power steering fluid. Into the boat i go, open the reservoir and it's as close to empty as it could be. I have some "Quicksilver Power Steering/Trim" fluid on the boat so i started adding and turning the wheel and bleeding out and bubbling out the system to add some protection back in there while i start checking for diagnosis. I run my hands up and down all the hoses I can reach, don't feel anything "slick" reach to the back and feel just a BIT of lube on the steering mechanism in the stern above the out-drive. But it seemed pretty normal and may just be the lube on the cable. I was short on time so i didn't run the boat after re-filling. I cleaned the bilge out a bit as there was quite a bit of a slick in there. And i will be back later this week.

My question is this: If the P/S cooler was leaking in line, would that pretty much describe all of my symptoms? Raw water runs through it before it gets to the engine, the cooler leaks the P/S fluid. This burns as it runs through which gives the smoke, and as the leak increased it emptied the reservoir.

Would an easy way to test this would be to take the in-line cooler out and turn the wheel back and forth and see if i see it spurting/dripping?

thank you

 

[Bt Doctur]

a leaking power steering cooler would not normally cause a smoke condition in the exaust. most leaking power steering coolers allow the oil to be replaced with sea water or lake water when running.
oil in the bilge indicates an external leak , the hose clams at the cooler, the lines, the steering cylinder

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

I guess my HOPE was that it was the cooler slowly leaking which explained the bit of smoking - and then the leak expanding and increasing and leaking out at the clamps. i'll have to get in there and give the bilge a cleaning and then feel around for leaking power steering. I didn't feel any on the cooler, but my hands were a bit oily from bilge water - i may not have noticed.

But if the PS cooler was leaking into the raw water inlet hose - doesn't it then pump up and through the T-stat/engine/exhaust? Couldn't that cause some smoking?

 

[Volphin]

MA, If the PS cooler was leaking into raw water, it would not cause a smoking condition. It would be emulsified with the raw water and is then mixed with exhaust gasses at the manifold exhausts, which cool the gasses enough not to melt the rubber flappers and the rubber hoses. The temps are too low to cause such a condition. Is the smoke you are seeing bluish or dark colored? Bluish would be engine oil, darker and it's a rich mixture issue.

 

[Volphin]

Looks like you have two issues that are not related.

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

Yay.

The smoke is white - pure white. I never paid much attention to it before this weekend - it seemed that there was more of it. I'll give it a smell next time I'm out to see what I can detect.

I'll get out to the boat tomorrow or the next day and try and get a feel for where the PS may be leaking. From what I've read if the cooler was leaking I would have more of a water leak than a PS leak. Unless it was one of the in/out lines from the pump

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

Found the leak - and would really love some help with a part number.

What's leaking is the hose from the cooler into the steering ram. It's split at the connector where it goes from rubber to the metal 45 into the ram... The hose on the right

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

May help with this info - the serial number on the top of the engine is 0D843551. But I had a new long block done in March - which was a '96 and up roller style engine... The plate on the block shows this

 

[GA_Boater]

Take the hose off and take it to a place with the sign "We make Hydraulic Hoses" in the window. They can repair that easily.


While a leaky hose is a problem, I don't think that's causing the smoke. There is no way for the PS fluid to end up as smoke. I think it's time to drive her like you stole her to seat the rings. Some engines take more to break them in.

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

It's basically torn at this point so not sure what repair they could do - but I'll take it off when I get back to the dock - posting this at anchor.

The smoke is not related so I can tell.

She got ran in and broken in properly - 10 hrs below 3500 varied speed - 10 hrs after that cruised at 3200 and varied speed with random minute runs at WOT. Oil changed at 20 hours with 40w rotella. I'm wondering if the oil is part of the issue. My pressure is ~ 40 at idle and ~ 60 at cruise. Maybe a little blow by from the high pressure. But I've got 25 hrs since the change

But I do agree am that she needs a bit of a slapping around more.

 

[GA_Boater]

A repair shop can fix the hose like it's brand new. And if the hose is bad, they can make a new hose with the existing fittings or new if needed. New cost 80-100 bucks. Check with a hose shop and see what they can do.

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

Thanks

 

[M.A.CCruiser]

Ok - it seems fixed - but won't know for sure until she's back in the water.

Found a hose shop, but they couldn't repair mine. So we used a few fittings, some high temp/pressure hose and I added a few clamps and the hose is replaced.

Re-filled and bleed the system with engine off, and then up to operating temp. Smooth. As. Silk.

Funny thing is I always noticed a "hitch" in the steering right before full over to both sides. That must have been where the pressure build up leaked the hose before it full blown split.

Phone was dead when repair was done, but I'll get some finalized pics next time she's out.

Thanks for the help - will begin a bit more looking into the smoking issue and start a new thead.