Milky power steering fluid following a pump and hose change

[slag]

1998 5.7GL with SX outddrive. I recently replaced my PS pump with one from oreilly's and also replaced a pressure hose that the previous owner attempted to repair since I know he had run it for awhile dry. I notice my fluid in the reservoir is a bit milky and originally I chalked that up to air from bleeding the system, but I wonder if my ps cooler has an internal leak. I will pressure test it, but, from everything I've read, my fluid should be going down and not necessarily introducing water to the system, but rather draining my reservoir which I do not think is happening. Sound weird?

 

[Bondo]

1998 5.7GL with SX outddrive. I recently replaced my PS pump with one from oreilly's and also replaced a pressure hose that the previous owner attempted to repair since I know he had run it for awhile dry. I notice my fluid in the reservoir is a bit milky and originally I chalked that up to air from bleeding the system, but I wonder if my ps cooler has an internal leak. I will pressure test it, but, from everything I've read, my fluid should be going down and not necessarily introducing water to the system, but rather draining my reservoir which I do not think is happening. Sound weird?

Ayuh,... Test it,... It's really the only place water can enter the system, short of sinkin' the boat,.....

 

[slag]

Well, hmm. Took the PS cooler off and can't find any leaks. I plugged the holes, pressure tested to about 10 psi, no leaks. Prior to taking it off, I did notice the reservoir was almost empty. Either that fluid went into the system, or I have a leak somewhere. Bottom of the pump reservoir is dry so its not coming out of there. I also noticed its easier to turn the wheel to the left as opposed to the right and the steering has what I consider to be a lot of slop to it. I don't directly see any fluid coming out of the actuator, but it has to be going somewhere. Still investigating... I put the cooler back on and refilled the reservoir, started up the boat on muffs, and attempted to bleed the system again but turning and holding left and right to full stop. It didn't go down much at first, then sucked down the entire reservoir almost. I refilled it and it stayed full. I'll check it again in a couple days when I can get back out to storage and see what I can find.