Is the power steering cooler necessary?

[Cptkid570]

Hey everyone,
1985, 5.7 liter Mercruiser. I am replacing the low pressure hose (one that has a clamp on the power steering side of it) and it goes from the power string ram into a little cylinder-like catalytic converter looking thing (power steering cooler), then connects from the cooler to the power steering pump.

My question is... is this power steeering cooler really necessary? It seems like just one more thing to rot out and have to be replaced. I don't think my truck as a cooler for the power steering (maybe it does).

I just wanted some opinions because it is a pain to get to and I know it will fail one day..haha

 

[Don S]

Re: Is the power steering cooler necessary?

My question is... is this power steeering cooler really necessary?

Yes, you must have one.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Is the power steering cooler necessary?

My question is... is this power steeering cooler really necessary? It seems like just one more thing to rot out and have to be replaced. I don't think my truck as a cooler for the power steering (maybe it does).

Yeah they do but they're usually an oil-->air heat exchanger which consists of either a tiny heat exchanger or simply a tube with fins on it.......

It gets pretty HOT back there in your engine compartment because there's little or no air flow..... extreme heat will KILL the seals in the pump, and PS actuator.

An automotive PS actuator and steering box runs far cooler than a marine steering actuator. This is why Mercruiser runs COLD water through the PS cooler before it goes anywhere else. (I even added an inline filter on mine.)



regards,


Rick

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Is the power steering cooler necessary?

Thanks guys. I looked at mine pretty thoroughly today and it is in pretty good shape, so even if you'd said I don't need it, I would've kept it. thank you again..