Water in Power Steering Pump

[67Bertram]

So. I have a 1983 190HP Merc. 470. Fresh water cooled with power steering. First time out, I notice no power steering. Pop the lid of the pump and find bright pink liquid which seems to be water and ATF. Does this mean that the PS pump cooler is bad? Is this fresh water or sea water? Can I bypass the cooler? Thanks in advance.

 

[alldodge]

ATF. Does this mean that the PS pump cooler is bad?

Most likely, the cooler is the only thing that gets the oil in proximity with water

Is this fresh water or sea water?

Depends if you boat in fresh or sea water. The water you boat in is what is getting into the PS pump

Can I bypass the cooler?

Yes, but not advisable. The oil gets hot and needs to be cooled

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

+1 on AllDodge's answers

 

[67Bertram]

Most likely, the cooler is the only thing that gets the oil in proximity with water

Depends if you boat in fresh or sea water. The water you boat in is what is getting into the PS pump

Thank you. Glad that you confirmed that it is sea water and I am not circulating ATF through my engine block. Although sea water in my PS pump can't be good either. Time to pull it off.

 

[Scott Danforth]

oil coolers last many many years with seawater in them.

 

[67Bertram]

UPDATE: I pulled off the oil cooler and honestly it seems fine. I pressure tested it the best that I could and it did not have any obvious leaks. I then capped one end of the raw water outlet and filled it with water and nothing seemed to seep into the power steering fluid side. My boat was a basket case and I am starting to think that the water was in the system before I started. Perhaps the engine sat outside for a while.

 

[alldodge]

am starting to think that the water was in the system before I started.

That would be the only other way for it to get in there. Hope everything can be just cleaned up and used