Power steering fluid leaking but were?? on my twin 2003 4.3 GXI

[al1026]

Power steering leak just started but from were?
All of a sudden steering felt harder then normal, opening hatch noticed fluid mixing with bilge water.
Add 1/2 qt and started engine trying too locate.
Prior too this event I checked fluid levels, washed down bilge . Everything was good, bilge was clean.
Power steering fluid possibly leaked when sitting idle ?
If actuator was issue would leak when moved but I believe fluids leaked while boat was laid up not used .
I live in Florida and use boat few days a week.
I am very anal about checking and keeping boat pristine & safe.

Boat is a 2003 Regal 28.60 with twin Volvo Penta vortex 4.3 engines
With the twin engines, there is no room too work , changing plugs, or anything low is challenging . A simple 10 minute fix becomes hours.

Felt around pump hoses, and hoses connecting actuator, seems fine. but cant get below too view anything .
Climbing over engine with a flood light I can view actuator and it seems clean.
Poking my head at rear looking down between two engines ,I can see fluid traveling down the crease were transom meets bottom and fluid traveling a briskly but from were ?????

What is the routing from pump, I understand it goes too a cooling device and up too actuator.
I cant see anything, how does one check under the engine hoses and get too change if there is a hair line hose crack. Mirrors. ?
Since I see fluid flowing down and actuator seems dry of oil , I am leaning towards a hose or fitting issue , but cant view anything, How can I see what's going on
Mirrors, but still cant get myself too get below too fix. ?????????????
What have others done, pull engine ??? sounds crazy, why do these companies do this on cars, boats, besides the obvious,

thanks
al in Orlando

 

[Scott Danforth]

you have a pressure line, a power steering cooler, a short line from the cooler to the actuator, and a longer low pressure line from the cooler back to the pump.

most people will use their cell phone camera to get into areas to look.

I would re-clean and dry the bilge, then fire it up for just a moment. where ever the small puddle of fluid is, directly above that is the leak.

if the PS cooler is leaking, it could be a fitting, or a cracked braze joint. If a hose is leaking, it could be a threaded connection, a crimp joint, or an abraded hose.

 

[al1026]

Follow Up
Speaking with shop I used , steering actuator ,
Scott on the above post made sense.
Getting too boat yesterday since my last post with a buddy.
Starting engine
Steering pump was full.
Buddy turned steering while I was in engine room with big flood light, focused on actuator and trying too view and feeling blindly were the power steering cooler is.????? Remember I have twin engines and no room too get below engine too view or move around.

Was searching for power steering cooler under engine with mirror and following hoses located it top of engine under a maze of hoses, wiring, near distributor
Sticking my hand under the maze of wiring think I found power steering cooler.
Cant view but feels like one of the larger hoses had a clamp and power steering fluid was felt and on my fingers.
Felt a clamp
Was able too get socket with long extension and tightened clamp
Shinning flood light into bilge were the power steering fluid was flowing I think I also saw clear fluid flowing ???
Could power steering cooler have a duel crack causing power steering & water leaking .?
Hopefully it was just a loose clamp , will keep viewing.
If it continues will just remove and replace.

Volvo Penta shop book that is seen in box stores good source or others? .
what I am seeking is detailed info .
I have a vette and have a book for repairs .
Over the counter book rates mechanical ability on the job considering.
what too look out for, what tools needed, , socket & wrench sizes etc , best too have another set of hands,
If I had this info with my power steering issue would have saved lot of time .Would have told me were too locate cooler ? what has too be removed too get too cooler. etc

thanks