454 Magnum in a 1997 Formula 271 Fastech - went to take the boat out and lots of red fluid in bilge. Checked power steering reservoir and it is empty. Put my hand down around the power steering cooler and can feel fluid especially from below where the exit hose for power steering fluid attaches.


Thought at first that the hoses were just loose. Tried to tighten the clamps, but very difficult to access the clamps or adjust them. The current clamps are tightened with only a screwdriver since they have a round head. Thought to replace the clamps with ones with hexagonal heads so a socket could be used on them to tighten them.


But I wonder what is causing the leak. The hoses look in good condition. Could it be the cooler itself? Never had a leak before, just suddenly appeared. Why would that have happened?


Also wondered whether to relocate the cooler since it is so inaccessible. Or delete it? Or replace it with an automotive air cooled oil cooler. But not much air flow in the engine bay, unlike a car or truck.

First thing to do is clean the bilge and engine and refill the PS and find the actual leak. As for the leak......who knows what caused it.
No you shouldn't delete the PS cooler and no you shouldn't replace it with an automotive one.

Ayuh,.....The most common P/S cooler killer is not draining the water out of it, in freezing conditions,.....

​​​​​​​You could relocate it if you wish too, but don't delete it, or you burn up the pump,....

I should have mentioned that the boat is in a sub tropical climate. There is no way the water in the PSC ever froze.

Larry,

Salt water...?

Thanks. Brad.

No, fresh water all the years I have had it, about 12 years. But was used in salt water before that.