Offshoreonly.com - Power steering fluid tempature.

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Have thought about flushing mine as fluid is kinda milky looking, what is the best way to do this.
Level never changes in remote tank but it's probably original.
Thanks ken

Here is where my information came from. My step sons is a commercial parts manager for Autozone here in Ohio. I know this is a one sided story but it has some good info. As for Type "F" this is the same ATF BAM has everyone run in his transmissions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borgie (Post 4200783)

Yes however most are utilizing synthetic fluids these days that are capable of much higher temps and extended use(their main selling points). It surprises me that they recommend Type F, as it is void of friction modifiers,which fluids such as DEXRON contain, however friction modifiers have zero impact on a hydraulic system, so either may be used. ATF is a great hydraulic fluid as it is shear resistant and a 20wt oil. A common myth is that transmission fluid has large amounts of detergent. This is false for anyone wondering.

Have you verified these stated temperatures in a boat equipped with a cooler? They look almost identical to OEM stated fluid temps in a passenger car. IMO the op should verify temperatures. Plenty of boaters run without a cooler. Again without DATA this is all up to this point here say. Not calling you out, however stating most autoparts ps fluids are substandard is a pretty steep claim with no data to backup that statement. If you don't have used oil analysis to verify this statement, it's just your opinion, or someone else's, and I don't care if that happens to be a aftermarket manufacturer or not. Oil cannot be judged by smell or color. Analyzing a fluid is the only way to truly know.

Granted this is automotive, however almost all of the components in a mercruiser application are automotive based parts with no special deals etc..
http://www.turnone-steering.com/Powe...-FAQs_b_2.html

If you use a good quality synthetic ATF or PS fluid that's proven capable (with UOA's), 275 degrees is the upper limit. All bets are off using a hydraulic add on system.

Ok I assumed that as it looks just like what automotive temps run. Good info, but not really 100% relevant to marine ps temps. The reason BAM and others use Type F ATF is that its a non friction modified racing ATF used because it causes a positive shift or engagement, thus less wear in a Performace application(transmission).

With ATF in a power steering system the viscosity (as long as additives are satisfactory also) is the single most important aspect for proper Performace. The friction modifiers do NOTHING in a hydraulic system as there are no clutch materials to utilize them. So all ATF is, is a hydraulic fluid with red dye added, when used in a power steering environment. Nothing special.

Im with Griff on this one

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ng-cooler.html

Just because Mercury wants to sell more parts don`t mean I`m on board.. one less thing to leak and give me problems.

i dont think mercury installs the ps coolers so they can sell more parts.if it cost them 100 dollars to put it on and they sell 1000 units they spent one hundred thousand dollars.from a finantial standpoint no bean counter in the world would spend one hundred thousand dollars on a unnecessary component.in all the years i have been working on boats i have never replaced a ps cooler so i dont think it is a part that needs to be replaced on a regular basis.

Worst case situation is a high speed single, high propshaft location, it will run higher constant pressure at speed to hold the drive against the prop creating more heat. The cooler has to be sized to accomodate this situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike tkach (Post 4201155)

Its way deeper than that its not that black & white. Liability, then fatigue/durability come into play.

Remember when your Dad or Grandfather bought a drill (they were corded drills back then) but I will bet you either you or they still have them. Things arent produced that way anymore. They have a lifespan for the intended price range. More than likely that plays a factor here with the liability of the steering system and the durability. Since they never know where some engines are going, they have to be outfitted for the outer reaches of the envelope.

From latham steerings site

OIL COOLERS*are required in all steering systems with engine driven power steering pumps. Our standard coolers have 1" NPT water and 3/8" NPT female oil connections with a 2" x 9" tube bundle. Our high flow coolers have 2" NPT water and 1/2" NPT female oil connections with a 3" x 6" tube bundle. The tubes are made with cupro nickel.

I did run my steering last year with the cooler bypassed cause it leaked, with no issues. I do know my ford diesel pickup had a power steering cooler. I believe my mack semi has one as well. I have a 2x9 cooler in my boat, which has latham steering.

It would be cool to see what the actual steering fluid temps are though.