Hydraulic Steering getting tight?
 

After driving my boat (01, 27 fountain, 496HO, factory dual ram hydraulic steering) to an anchor spot, and letting it sit in the water for extended periods (at least a couple hours) of time the steering really firms up when we get back to boating. What could be causing this? Dont see any water in the reservoir. Engine heat maybe?

Low power steering fluid level as the fluid cools down?

No, the fluid level really doesnt move. It works fine when I go to start the boat, lets say, first thing in the morning. But after a long sit in the sun after running it hard, the wheel is much harder to turn.

filter

Ahhhh.....I wonder where it is located? Inline?

Mine looks like a canaster that is mounted to the transom. High pressure line coming off of pump goes to cooler, then to filter.

Anybody else? Belt doesnt seem loose. Could it be a proportioning valve that gets funky when warm? Am I going to mess stuff up using it still?

Thanks,

Filter

Mine kind of does the same thing. It is hard to get the steering wheel to move, once it breaks loose the steering is fine until I stop moving the steering wheel. I will have to check the filter.

Just ordered a filter.....stupid guys at fountain dealer said they never changed one before. Why would you have a FILTER, if it didnt need to be changed? 29 bucks from latham marine. Fits hydaulic steering made by fountain until 02'