Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

[DayCruiser]

Just got boat out of shop.3.0 89 mercruiser, Alpha 1
Forgot to mention to the mechanic one of my problems. Power Steering pump area groans a bit just after start up. Now when throttling down you here a grinding sound .25 % from neutral. Boat steers fine and mechanic just changed the fluid. So is it the Pulley bearings or the Power steering pump. Spent big money at the shop, so do you think problem can wait until winter maintenance? Mechanic didn't , mention hearing anything wrong with PS. I asked him to do a general inspection. Maybe he didn't deem it serious enough?

Second, I ran over a sand or mud bar just putt putting along(serious drought!). Got the egg beater effect and put it in neutral asap. Boat kept moving so ground didn't stop the propeller. Isn't their a clutch in the hub for this kind of accident?. I didn't notice any kind of ill effects and drove for 2 more hours. No noticeable effects to the propeller. All three blades kinda flip/concave in on the end so I figures its made the way? Just a good pronounced egg beater effect which really made me think I screwed up royally and if I had a gun at the time.................... lol Hope all that mud didn't hurt the new impeller?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MikDee]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

The P.S. pump didn't leak the fluid out, did it? Or maybe there's a kinked hose in the system? How about the P.S cooler, is the line clear?

I doubt you got sand in the impeller, or enough to mess it up?

There is a press fit rubber hub, & spline in the prop, if it's damaged enough, it will begin to slip, you'll know it when this happens, mud probably didn't affect it much, unless you hit it at WOT? Then disregard the previous statements, & look everything over good

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

The P.S. pump didn't leak the fluid out, did it? Or maybe there's a kinked hose in the system? How about the P.S cooler, is the line clear?

I doubt you got sand in the impeller, or enough to mess it up?

There is a press fit rubber hub, & spline in the prop, if it's damaged enough, it will begin to slip, you'll know it when this happens, mud probably didn't affect it much, unless you hit it at WOT? Then disregard the previous statements, & look everything over good

Thanks for the info and advice MikDee. I checked the PS fluid dip stick and its still full(Right when we got back). I went and looked a minute ago just to make sure and its full. I will trace the hoses back and look for kinks
We were about .15 minutes into the ride and just going very slow when I hit the mud. Wife said it didn't sound like I hit any rocks. Within 5 feet, I had slowed it down to close to idle and the egg beater effect stopped.
I just looked at the pulley and it doesn't look like it has any bearings. The bearings look like they would be in the pump. Kind flat where the pully meets the pump. Looks like it slides over a rod or is one piece with the pump. Never been without fluid, but has had water in it from sinking one time

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

You were exactly right Mikdee! The band around the PS hoses had kinked one of the hoses. At least half the circulation had been cut off. The side of the hose had been worn flat too from vibrations. I cut off the band and put something less constricting to hold them together. We took her out again yesterday and no noises came from the pump and the steering was smoother it seemed.
Thanks for your help in solving this problem!

Saw another bigger boat hit the same mud bar I did. I don't think he had the good luck I did. Hit boat had a distinct whine when he took off. Sad, this drought is really doing damage to a lot of boats. That shallow area extends way out from shore and you have no way of knowing it has done that

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

Drought your kidding right?? been to Iowa latelly?

 

[Modemagic]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

Drought!!!!! LOL

A week ago there were boaters in water.... of course they were boating down river drive and 2nd street!!!!

I guess I should mention that they were not actually 'boating' but more like checking on their businesses and houses that were now water-logged!

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

We are having the exact opposite weather you guys are having. Sad too about the flooding. We are in the 3rd year of drought. Lakes have been 10 to 15 feet below normal. Atlanta's Lake Lanier almost dried up. A few lakes in SC are heading back down to dangerous low levels. Its either feast or famine when it comes to mother nature these days

 

[MikDee]

Re: Power Steering Pump Or Pulley?

Wow, I'm glad you found the problem, and glad I could be of help DC, it's nice to hear some one reply back, especially with good news! My stepson lives just south of Charlotte NC, boats in SC, we usually get to visit once a year, so I know the drought issues you're going through down there. I'm just hoping it turns around for you guys soon. Good Luck Mike