Leaking power steering fluid.....help
 

I posted this up in general discussion and been looking on mercruiser parts website to figure out what parts these are. I have a bad leak (you can see in the pics how bad its gotten with teh brown in the bilge). Its coming from the steering cable box and the part that the power steering lines run into. I know its going to be a decent amount to fix, but any help to identify these would help.. I'm trying to get an idea on cost..

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ing-fluid.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...tleak2copy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../Boatleak1.jpg

I believe you are missing a grease "boot" there? Are you losing fluid or grease?

I have a complete unit in good condition that you can have for half what you are quoted.....:coolcowboy:

I'm leaking fluid... Pump was completely empty today when I checked it today so over the winter the seal must have completely went to hell. I know I was losing fluid last year, but was minor. I couldn't tell where it was coming from until I turned the wheel today and it started pouring out. What are you looking for for the unit you have? How old is it?

I have the complete steering "ram" unit, basically from where it mounts on the inner transom plate out....if that makes sense? Send me your email address and I will send pictures, it is mid 1990's but came off the boat late 1990's and I have had it in my shop since, it is in good shape. Find out what your problem is and we can go from there? It will not be expensive......

You already have add-on external steering, instead of chasing this why not just go ahead and upgrade to full hydro to the helm?

That would all depend on cost for full hydraulic vs a fix to the existing.

I'd go full hydraulic also. It depends on where you buy the sysytem. It makes a huge difference in the feel of the boat. Fgure on 1200.00 to 1400.00 for the rest of the kit. I also have the part that is leaking on your boat (we just moved so it may take a bit to find it)

Where did you move to? Still up in PA?? My bday falls on a Saturday this year (21 July) and am going to try and get some locals (or fairly local lol) to raft up at Dobbins Island.... I know we were tryin' to get some of the fellow Tantrum owners to meet up last year

I agree with John, full hydro is the way to fix this. Especially since you are topping out over 80mph.

I'm going to have MDG price it out for me since I was planning on getting the boat over there to get the carbs synced and idle smoothed out.. Going to most likely just have Dave take care of everything while its there.

Still in Malvern, Pa. Dobbins sounds good, keep me posted.

I have been messing with the same piece all weekend. It is e "relief valve" for the zero fitting.

Boat is going to MDG Performance on Saturday for full hydraulic upgrade and carb tuning....

You will love the solid feeling with this upgrade Scott!

Aside from cost, I'm pretty psyched about the upgrade.. Im def more than ready for the summer

Forget the cost... It is a big safety upgrade! Especially with big power.

How bad does the engine roll at idle? I doubt you will get all of it out. It's a characteristic of carbs on big blowers... Rich-lean roll. Real pain in the ass to get it in gear. Some guys disable neutral safety switches and just start it in gear like it was a crash box.

I love that sound although I have never had to deal with it. Is it a pian to operate? Are we talking about a high surge then it almost shuts off?

Just drop it in gear when the idle goes low.

It rolls to the point of almost dying. It has stalled on me when shifting into gear at the low point of the roll. If I leave a little throttle to it after the engine is warm and been running a while, it smooths out and is still under 900 rpm. Its not hard to operate otherwise. Im just not a carb guy and I figured I'd let Dave take a look at it and see if he can correct some of it.

It also helps if you have a locked out distributor and control the timing with a programmable ignition box. Such as a digital msd 6. If you have any mechanical advance in the distributor it will aggrevate the problem. With a digital box you can also put a boost retard curve in with a map sensor and run more boost... more power!! :evilb::evilb:

I didn't even think about an MSD box. Thanks... I used to use those on my older Mustangs when I built them up. Maybe I'll get Dave to put one in too.. Even though thats something I know, I might as well just get it done.. We will see about that. If not now, maybe a future mod.