Please Help -- Any I/O experts?

[Eckie]

I have a Volvo Penta 4.3 Liter (boat is a Larson SEI 186 fish-n-ski).

Power steering failed over the weekend -- since I'm not an expert, the only thing I can think of is the pump needs to be replaced. After doing a bit of investigating (having someone turn the steering wheel back and forth) I can hear a hissing/faint squeeling noise coming from the pump.

My question is --- could the problem be something other than the pump?

Oh, and the pump is not low on power steering fluid.

Thanks everyone!

[Eckie]

41+ views and no ideas? I'll have to give a dealer a call in the morning.

Thanks anyway.

[marine_man]

Sorry.. I've got nothing for you on IO's...

marine_man

[boatfixer]

Is the problem the hissing or is it hard to turn?

[Eckie]

No worries Marine man...it's not a run of the mill type question.

Boatfixer ---

The steering is very hard to turn....

If get real close to the pump while someone else is turning the wheel, I can hear it hissing. Definitely not squealing tho...which I guess I thought it should be doing if it's fried.

[boatfixer]

Problem could be the pump or the rack, hard to tell without seeing it or having the guages to test pressures. But it sounds like a valve is not opening.

[Eckie]

I had a feeling the problem wasn't overly obvious, given my details. Just hoping for a little insight. I appreciate the insight -- gave me enough ammo to know I won't replace the pump without having it looked at.

Thanks for the advice -- truly appreciate it.

[Surface Tension]

Well I looked and could have said I don't know.

I couldn't even offer much in the way of troubleshooting the problem. Well, I do have a way of doing that by way of learning as I go but I'm hunting and I'm not afraid to break something or make it worse.

If it were me I'd disconnect the linkage to the drive and give it a try. Do that with the engine running and without. I might find I wasted my time or I may have found out something. I would do that before you bring it in.

Good luck and keep us updated. .

[Eckie]

Interesting idea, Frank.

Thanks -- I'll give it a try.