Power steering not working

motoboy · 10-10-2009, 06:43 PM

Took the Baja out today and power steering was not working at all. Never had a problem with it in the past and it worked fine the last time I drove the boat, but not today.

Steering wheel feels exactly the same whether the engine is running or not.

Checked for leaks and couldn't find any.
Power steering resovoir is right where it should be on the stick.
No wierd noises that I could hear coming from the engine compartment.

Anyone??

Update: rack and steering cable replaced with new - PS still not working

tg.

blue thunder · 10-10-2009, 06:52 PM

There is a pressure relief valve on the back of the pump. It is what the high pressure line screws into on the back of the pump. If you remove the high pressure line you can then unscrew the valve and check for chit stuck in it. Its a simple but messy afair.

motoboy · 11-05-2009, 04:57 PM

ak · 11-05-2009, 05:19 PM

I had the same problem with my baja and it was the steering cable itself,it was not moving the power valve at the rack,replaced cable and it works great.

ezstriper · 11-06-2009, 07:27 AM

I'm betting the cable has frozen too....Rob

Smitty · 11-06-2009, 11:17 AM

Replace the cable/rack assy from the wheel to back of boat. That is where your problem is. And I would stop using the boat til it's fixed. It may bind totally or break while underway.

Smitty

motoboy · 11-15-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty

Replace the cable/rack assy from the wheel to back of boat. That is where your problem is. And I would stop using the boat til it's fixed. It may bind totally or break while underway.
Smitty

Still have the problem....

steering cable and rack have now been replaced. the only difference is the steering wheel has less play in it than before.

process of elimination takes us back to the pump or the high pressure valve in the pump like Blue Thunder suggested.

that steering pump is at the bottom of the engine, port side, under the alternater. I'ts going to be fun getting that biotch out of there....

mb.

blue thunder · 11-18-2009, 05:31 PM

If there is a piece of chit in that relief valve you get no pressure. It's a quick thing to check and is free to fix... just clean out the chit. I've had it happen before and can tell you the pump can cause this.

motoboy · 11-18-2009, 06:39 PM

I looked in the trouble shooting section of the Mercruiser manual and under "steering wheel turns hard or jerky" it says to replace the power steering fluid.
I just got done doing that today. The old fluid was the color of mud.

I re-checked everything else that has already been done and I think it's good.
Gonna take her to the launch in the next couple days and try it again. Keeping fingers crossed.....

thanks for the help

mb.

ezstriper · Yesterday, 07:35 AM

take the high pressure line off the pump, the one with the hex fitting, then remove the big nut behind that, screws into pump, the pressure regulator and spring will come right out, ck there...or remove the high pressure line off of valve, have someone hold in bucket spin the engine over see if you get fluid under pressure just spinning engine over. I have rarely seen pumps go like that but they can...just need to see if pump is producing pressure, if it is something has gone in the valve...Rob