How to Add Fluid to Mercury Outboard Power Steering
If you need to add power steering fluid to your Mercury outboard's power system, you can bet you have a leak somewhere--in a hose, a fitting or a seal in the pump--since power steering fluid isn't "used up" during normal operation. The power steering system has a high pressure power steering line that runs from the power steering pump to the steering unit on the transom assembly of the motor, where the motor is mounted to your boat. A low pressure line returns from the steering unit on the transom assembly to the power steering cooler on the return side of the pump.
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Instructions
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1
Remove the screw cap from the power steering pump with the engine off.
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Add fluid to the power steering pump. Add power steering fluid/oil until the fluid level is even with the bottom of the filler.
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3
Screw the filler cap back on to the power steering pump. Work the wheel back and forth 10 times.
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4
Remove the cap from the filler. Add oil until the oil level reaches the bottom of the filler. Screw the cap back onto the filler.
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Tips & Warnings
Since the fluid is likely leaking into your bilge, if you pump your bilge while you're on a lake, you may be setting yourself up for a fine under federal or state pollution prevention regulations. If your power steering fluid levels begin to drop, find the leak immediately and save the (substantial) cost of a fine.
Find the leak by drying up your bilge, removing your prop and running your engine for a short time, while turning the wheel. The drops of power steering fluid will fall straight down. If they fall between fittings, it's the hose: replace the hose, fittings and gasket. If the leak appears around your pump, replace the hoses, fittings and gaskets first; replace the pump only if necessary.
The power steering cooler is mounted in the raw water feed line for cooling; this is unique to the Mercury brand.
Be sure the engine is off before you undertake any work on the power steering system.
