Power steering leak

[mia9516]

Greetings,

I'm running a 1989 4.3L Mercruiser Alpha One in my boat. I recently discovered an oil leak in my driveway directly below the drain plug hole. Upon further inspection, I narrowed it down to a leak in the power steering system. I know this to be true because of the low level in the power steering reservoir. I looked at all the hoses and I am 90% sure that the leak is coming from the cylinder at the rear of the engine compartment. All of the fittings are tight and the hoses are all "dry" on the outside. What are my options? What's it gonna cost? Can this be done by a DIY'er with average mechanical skills and a full complement of tools? Thanks all in advance.

Milton

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Power steering leak

Howdy,


Yes it can be a DIY job!

If your PS unit is "bad"you can easily replace it. I have seen many of them on ebay new and used for not a lot of money.

Regards,


Rick

 

[Hank496]

Re: Power steering leak

Before you go replacing the cylinder, you should check the return hose. It is the only hose that is a low pressure attachment with just a hose clamp. Try removing it and nipping 1/2" or so off the end of the hose and re-attaching. Sometimes this hose swells over time. If that does not work you can then replace the much more expense steering piston.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Power steering leak

Had to replace mine a while back and was not too hard to do. My cylinder rusted thru due to water leaking onto it from above. Cost about $200.00 new. and I replaced it while in the water.

 

[mia9516]

Re: Power steering leak

Had to replace mine a while back and was not too hard to do. My cylinder rusted thru due to water leaking onto it from above. Cost about $200.00 new. and I replaced it while in the water.

Was it necessary to replace the entire assembly just because of the cylinder?Were you not able to purchase just the cylinder without the entire assembly? Or did you just figure it would be better/easier to replace the whole assembly?

 

[mia9516]

Re: Power steering leak

Before you go replacing the cylinder, you should check the return hose. It is the only hose that is a low pressure attachment with just a hose clamp. Try removing it and nipping 1/2" or so off the end of the hose and re-attaching. Sometimes this hose swells over time. If that does not work you can then replace the much more expense steering piston.

Is this the return hose that connects to the power steering pump? Or is it connected at the power steering assembly?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Power steering leak

Was it necessary to replace the entire assembly just because of the cylinder?Were you not able to purchase just the cylinder without the entire assembly? Or did you just figure it would be better/easier to replace the whole assembly?

Was much easier IMHO to replace the whole Assy

 

[PitchFork]

Re: Power steering leak

Before you go replacing the cylinder, you should check the return hose. It is the only hose that is a low pressure attachment with just a hose clamp. Try removing it and nipping 1/2" or so off the end of the hose and re-attaching. Sometimes this hose swells over time. If that does not work you can then replace the much more expense steering piston.

This is what I did a few years ago and it worked perfectly for $0.

 

[mia9516]

Re: Power steering leak

This is what I did a few years ago and it worked perfectly for $0.

I'll give that a shot tonight and report back. I've been looking at the removal and replacement procedures and it doesn't look too difficult but I'd hate to throw parts at the problem if something simpler can fix it. Thanks to all

 

[mia9516]

Re: Power steering leak

Before you go replacing the cylinder, you should check the return hose. It is the only hose that is a low pressure attachment with just a hose clamp. Try removing it and nipping 1/2" or so off the end of the hose and re-attaching. Sometimes this hose swells over time. If that does not work you can then replace the much more expense steering piston.

So i nipped about a 1/2" off the return hose. Boy was that messy . Went to the auto parts store and couldn't find any Dexron/Mercon II so I settled for Castrol Dex/Mex. On the bottle it says good for older Ford and GM motors . Should I have used Dex/Mex II or will the stuff I bought work as well? Can I mix the two? Thanks.