Fluid in the bilge

[timharper89]

Just got my boat out of storage, and this is in my bilge. The color looks strange to me. Power steering?

 

[tank1949]

Just got my boat out of storage, and this is in my bilge. The color looks strange to me. Power steering?

Or trim fluid. U checked fluid levels, yet????

 

[timharper89]

Or trim fluid. U checked fluid levels, yet????

Not sure how to check the trim fluid

 

[Bondo]

Not sure how to check the trim fluid

Ayuh,.... The trim pump has a tank,....

You don't mention which pump ya got,....

 

[timharper89]

Is this the trim pump? Is that flathead screw the dip stick? I didn't see anything else that looked like one. I do think the leak is power steering though. The pump is nearly empty..

 

[Paintman1960]

Yup, should be, screw out n find out

 

[dubs283]

pump looks fairly clean, at least no leaks noticeable in the pics. does not rule out a leak in one of the lines though

seeing as how your p/s pump is nearly empty check the cooler, the low pressure lines attached to it are a common cause for p/s leaks

 

[tpenfield]

PS fluid does have a red-ish tint to it, but you will probably have to verify by checking the fluid levels.

What does the fluid taste like?

 

[flashback]

Years ago I had a steering pump that rusted out and leaked, so it does happen..

 

[timharper89]

pump looks fairly clean, at least no leaks noticeable in the pics. does not rule out a leak in one of the lines though

seeing as how your p/s pump is nearly empty check the cooler, the low pressure lines attached to it are a common cause for p/s leaks

Thanks. I'll check this out next week. The lines commonly get holes in them? Or would the issue likely be at the connections?

 

[dubs283]

Or would the issue likely be at the connections?

this

the cooler is on the low pressure side of the p/s system. the lines are held in place by hose clamps at the barb fittings on the cooler. it's not a rare occurrence for the lines to become brittle and split at the ends. repair in this situation requires removal of the leaking hose(s), cutting off the damaged portion and reinstalling the line

 

[timharper89]

this

the cooler is on the low pressure side of the p/s system. the lines are held in place by hose clamps at the barb fittings on the cooler. it's not a rare occurrence for the lines to become brittle and split at the ends. repair in this situation requires removal of the leaking hose(s), cutting off the damaged portion and reinstalling the line

That sounds like my kind of repair. Thanks I'll check it out