Is Power Steering Cooler absolutely necessary?
 

Has anyone run successfuly without a power steering cooler. what happens if you don't run one, will PS fluid overheat? What temps? (running full hydraulic system)

I don't KNOW on a boat, but I do know that my Father's Jeep Grand Cherokee had a leak and he cut the wrong fitting off by accident - long story short he just bypassed the cooler. It has never made a difference and they just made a 10 hour drive to Hilton Head about a month ago in 100 degree temps.

Not sure that helps at all though.

There is a thread on here about it. Something about car runs between 1800-2200rpm, boat 3800-5500rpm. The extra shear heat from rpms is the problem.

fixx
 

yes you need one,the ps fluid will over heat and turn the oil black,it will also cause internal dammage to the internal parts of the pump and if the temps get to high it will blow the seals in the steering rack..

x2

Yup,,,,,just ask my know it all brother in law !!!!

I bypassed mine a few years ago after going thru three coolers in 7 years due to cracking on cheap merc coolers mounting tabs and have had NO problems with fluid burning or foaming, turn motor as high as 6200 and have twin ram external full hyd steering, Smitty
I posed this same question a few years ago and got the same differing answers.

Yes, you do need one. The higher, sustained rpm combined with the potential of 2000 psi, genertates a TON of heat.
Eddie