steering fluid coolers
 

Does anybody run full hyd.steering without a cooler?

I don't even think you run any steering without a cooler. Why would you want to?

I've done it. I Think I'm running them now...
Few threads about it.
https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...-need-one.html

Yes, for years . No issues.
My temp indicator :

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...42cd4c5256.jpg

I was using the merc cheap cooler with tab that goes on belhousing for years. The tab cracked the body and started leaking, I bypassed it while on vacation and forgot about it for a few seasons, even at 6300 rpm, never foamed up or cooked pump, became unable to steer, fwiw, Smitty

No cooler on twin ram full hyd and its been fine for 14 years. I do have an external fluid reservoir and my system has a large Latham PS filter.

This, I'm following.

I have a mayfair full hyd steering and have it connected to oem mercruiser cooler. But im no fan of running hoseclamps (even on low pressure side).

I would love to just get rid of it, Keep the info coming!

I never knew. I just figured Merc wouldn't put it there if it wasn't needed. I have full hydro to 2 rams on 2 bravo ones. from imco, and just run the original cooler.

Having had a bad connection resulting in a drip from the hydraulic helm onto my feet, I can attest to the fact that the fluid does infact, get a tad bit warm.....

I use the Merc factory cooler, but none of my cars or SUV's have coolers. You got me thinking now, I will have to check the pump temp after cruising down the river for an hour.

The reason i have a question about this I have a cooler now that has the steering cooler and engine oil cooler all in one. If I do away with the steering cooler i can put a larger oil cooler in. Space limit.

if you're having oil temp issues then change it out to a single cooler, if not Id just leave it alone

On a long wide open oil temp will go to 260* +. I have never let it get any higher. I am thinking about installing a larger cooler.

I didnt want the interruptions in engine cooling or potential blockages. You can use a small transmission cooler with an electric fan and put it off to the side under the gunwhale. At that point you can put it on a switch or do a thermostatic heat switch (Derale inline fan thermostat)

Not saying anyone need or doesn’t need a ps cooler. Just adding more info below:

Mercruiser’s small blocks have no engine oil coolers but have ps coolers. They are short and wide open inside. Nothing can get stuck in the water passage. Ie: can’t block water flow.

i’ve relaced a ton of Chevrolet pick up and Suburban ps coolers. Things corrode up here in the land if overly salted roads.

Below is merc style ps cooler.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e691cb5d3.jpeg

175 to 220 degrees
The optimal temperature range for transmission fluid is 175 to 220 degrees. Above that, for every 20 degrees bad things happen, starting with formation of varnish at 240 degrees, followed by seals hardening, plates slipping, seals and clutches burn out, carbon is formed, and, ultimately, failure.

Mine never gets hotter than 170-175*

oh oh I`m not evaporating the moisture, I better get a power steering heater :angry-smiley-038:

I have a used small ps cooler if you want to go that route

I was wondering this same thing about the need for a PS cooler. If you have hydraulic steering (rams outside the boat) I would think they almost act as a cooler themselves???

I think the heat build up is from long straight running minimal turning. Not sure on the rams as there out of the water while on plane. People thought I was nuts when I ran twins without oil coolers but never needed them and did not come on the boat originally. Although did have power steering cooler. Not to say it was necessary though.

when the boats running and not turning the fluid goes from the pump to the helm then back to the reservoir, only when turning is the helm sending fluid to and from the rams, the helm is a valve that directs fluid........I think I got that right........:D

Sounds correct, and in my case it gets cooled on the way back to the reservoir.

I picked up one of these on eBay for under $50. Like you said no coolers on oil on merc sbc setups. I put one of these in on P/S and bought a bigger one for my oil. There is substantial friction from that pump on the engine. Could you be fine without it… probably. I seriously considered it myself. But 1.25” hose is cheap, cooler was $50. regardless of your cooling setup should be pretty easy to rig up on the return side. I’d prefer to spend a few bucks on my cooling system than risk damage to my rack or my pump on my I/O setup.

I guess this summer I'll be checking the temps on my lines and helm pump. Just out of curiosity.

Sb and I are not talking about seastar style setups.

We’re talking about I/O setups. You’ll have a fairly large engine constantly turning the power steering pump that fluid is used in actuating the rack and pinion on the transom assembly. That fluid gets really hot. Most cars have a dedicated P/S cooler or it is part of the radiator. boats typically have a heat exchanger cooled by raw water. I’ve never heard of a sea star setup needing a cooler and wouldn’t mess with it unless recommended. But as another person posted it gets hot. Which makes sense as fluid doesn’t like compression but I’d want proof Seastar setups needed it before doing that.

hope that makes sense.

Tha system I have is IMCO full hyd. The reason I have a question about this my engine oil cooler and steering cooler are all in one 21" long. If I do away with the steering cooler I can install a longer engine oil cooler. If I knew how to post pictures I would.

click the square box next to the smiley face on the header to post pictures

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f49076a4d.jpeg

This is the picture of the oil cooler. Thanks for the help with uploading pictures.