Volvo Penta power steering leak - removing leaking actuator from my boat
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Volvo Penta power steering leak - removing the leaking steering actuator. My Four Winns Horizon 230 inboard outboard developed a whine that I determined was the power steering pump being low on fluid. Early 2000's Volvo Penta marine engines used a special steering system connected to a General Motors power steering pump in boats. Inboard outboard steering problems are pretty common and I checked the easy places to examine for a leak, refilled the power steering reservoir and went back to boating. A few boat trips later, the pump was low on fluid again and I realized the steering actuator was the problem. Apparently the seals and O rings in certain years and models of the Volvo Penta marine power steering actuator tend to go bad. Of course the steering actuator is located behind the engine and in a very tight area to access and difficult area to work on - in the boat.
This video covers the steps I took in figuring out what exactly was wrong with my Volvo Penta power steering system, where the leak was coming from and ultimately tackling the challenging task of removal of the steering actuator assembly. I will probably not try replace the seals myself but will look into options to have new seals and O rings installed professionally.
If you have hydraulic lines that need to be removed - use flare nut wrenches.
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:06 The whining power steering pump
01:47 Checking the power steering fluid in my boat
04:40 Looking for the power steering leak
09:27 How do you know if your boat power steering actuator is leaking?
10:16 Removing the volvo penta power steering actuator
14:02 What's next?
#volvopentasteering #volvopentasteeringleak #steeringactuator
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Here's a playlist of all my Volvo Penta Inboard Outboard marine engine related videos!
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Thanks Wayne - you confirmed everything my boat mechanic is telling me. I’m gonna start saving CASH for this repair.
Thank you Sir. I discovered the very same problem today. I may tackle the removal myself now that I have seen you do it. Thanks, much appreciated.
5 star is great! Had my unit rebuilt and sent back to me within 5 days of mailing it. Highly recommend this company! Thanks for the video Wayne.
Watching your video before attempting this process probably saved my marriage 😂😂
Seriously , I had just reinstalled my reconditioned Volvo 5.7 ( for the 6th time since 2017 ) and while doing the thorough warm up check before taking it off the cradle and back in the water , I noticed a drip from one of the bellows , after squeezing back in for a simple tighten up a bit more , all done , I notice a “red” drop …..NOOO
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst I came across numerous utube videos but the one that stuck out and gave me any chance of attempting this myself was yours Wayne , it still took me over 2 hours , but I took your advise and cursed a bit (lot) and persevered. Thankyou
If the gantry had still been available , I would of dropped the leg and lifted the motor back out tho to give me access, as I have that down pat , around about 30 minutes .
Hope to be watching your reinstall video in a few days time !
Thanks again , Adrian from Australia
Thanks again
I just took out my leaking steering actuator from my 05 monterey 194fs after watching your video, Thank you Wayne!
Thanks for putting up this video, getting ready to tackle mine and coincidentally it's a Horizon 230 as well so, score!!! lots of similarities, appreciate you taking the time to put it up
I also have an install video - the installation is much easier than the removal.
Hi Wayne stumbled across your channel and subbed we are kinda in the same boat pardon the pun after 20 yrs with the 84 stingray needed upholstery and a floor decided of all years to look for a boat this year and like you every one I found was gone in a matter of hours or days but the ones that were left either over priced or junk! Finally found a 03 Glastron for short money that needed tlc! Like your situation! Keep up the good work, my only advice for you is check your manifolds and risers it’ll be a shame to overheat that Volvo!!!!!
Hello to you Wayne,
Omg 😱 have you had fun learning. What ever made you not to get a survey on this boat. I can’t say much more on that because I didn’t get a survey either, shame on me also. I have had pretty good luck with my small 22 ft. I am watching some videos also on that actuator and don’t see many. My steering is stiff (not leaking) so I am going to wait until spring to unscrew the cable itself and see how it goes. I have Mercruiser in my boat very similar thank you for this video. Love your updates, be safe
This summer, every time a boat came up for sale it sold so quickly that surveys were not really an option and besides, if I found a perfect boat I wouldn’t get a chance to learn this stuff! If the steering is stiff and it’s not a sea star type (they usually have a tiny fill cap on the top side of the steering column) then it could be a dirty cable. There are some techniques people use with an air compressor and oil to service an old cable. If you disconnect it from the steering assembly and it still got some resistance, then it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Fingers crossed that yours is an easy fix.
Thanks for watching and your comments!
Hey Wayne, thanks to you I built up enough courage to tackle the removal of the VP actuator on my boat. Once I had all the tools lined up it took me about one hour to do. I have a long needle nose plier with both tips formed into a circle, I use it to remove stuck plug wires. Once I had one of the tips inside the loop of the cotter pins, I simply used a pry bar and they came right off. I was lucky, everything was well lubed and no corrosion at all. I'm about to send mine off to 5 Star tomorrow, like you I want to make sure it gets done right the first time. Cheers!
That’s awesome. Having the right tools and being able to reach places makes a huge difference. Pry bar with pliers - awesome trick!
@@WayneTheBoatGuy How much do they charge?
Thani
can the rebuild service repair leaks to large cylinder (starboard seal) or do they only repair the smaller rod seals? if not, is there a source to buy this part new and identify the correct part using the vp engine serial?
Hi Wayne, check the steering pump pully; if it grinds you need to replace that too. A branded pump costs a small fortune but this is a standard pump you can get from any car parts store. Easy replacement and save yourself some money and near future grief 😉👍.
Great point! I had been looking into that as it was my initial thought since mine is pretty rough looking! I will give it a good check when I reinstall the actuator.
@@WayneTheBoatGuy its a saginaw by the looks of it
What was the part number on your actuator
Wow! Not sure where you are at but the last retail price we sold one for was around $900 new. I do most r&r's without removing engines. Usually exhaust removal will allow access but you need more than that $99 tool set. Some times engine removal is the only way.
Very helpful
Glad it helped
How do I get the steering rod off. I got all the bots and pins and completely loosened the large fitting that the steering wheel assembly attaches to the cylinder but it won't come off
To get the steering rod off, you need to hold the shaft with a wrench while spinning the cable connector end. See my install video where I show how that works.
Wayne, Thanks for the tip about 5 star. I had someone else recommend them also. Do you know anyone that does videos on Volvo Penta 230a SP MT engines and outboards? Cannot find them on CZcams Thanks
Sorry I don't - but a Seloc Service Manual might help!
Have to remove mine now. Screws were ok to remove, on the top one I used an impact drive and the lower one a long breaker bar. I'm now on the last pin that connects to the steering arm. The pin isn't rotating so I couldn't access the loop of the cotter pin to pull it out and after a lot of swearing as I couldn't reach to cut it either I thought on using a Dremel with small disc and it took 10seconds to cut the loop side and it came off easy from the side I have access. Now the pin is stuck and have left overnight soaking on penetrating oil and still stuck... hope I could get some ideas to get this pin out.
Try to see if there’s a way you can tap the pin up from underneath. I know it’s super tight working conditions. If not, maybe trying to wiggle everything to see if you can take tension off the pin. When I reassembled mine (today actually) my wife had to wiggle the outdrive so I could get the outdrive connector pin to drop.
Did you think about pulling the riser and exhaust manifold to get you more room?
I had not considered that! It probably would have helped at least with the two bolts.
awesome awesome video. I feel like this is what is happening to my bat as well. I haven't heard the whine yet but the steering wheel itself doesn't turn as smooth as I feel it should and has a little hitch in it. I'm going to check for leaks. What type of fluid did you top the system off with before you ended up pulling the unit out?
I'm trying to recall. It may have been automotive PS fluid. I found lots of conflicting info about which type to use when I first realized I needed to feed it fluid.
@@WayneTheBoatGuy when you got the unit back from 5 star, was the steering all fixed?
Hey I have a question I put a power actuator on my boat and the power steering hose keep bursting would you know why It keeps doing that
Did it not have power steering before? On mine, the high-pressure hose is a different construction than the low pressure hose.
@@WayneTheBoatGuy yeai figure it out it had the wrong hose on it
Wayne, this is a bear but your video is a tremendous help. I have cussed, hurt myself but have not lost any tools. Question: I know this may be dumb but how do you loosen the nut that holds the steering cable. I can't get it to turn at all without turning the entire cable. Obviously Im doing something wrong. Thanks for your help
I know what you mean! There’s a couple little flat sections on the thinner shaft area to the right of the big main knuckle. Put a wrench on that flattened section to hold it from spinning. When you see it you’ll know!
@@WayneTheBoatGuy Thanks Wayne. That thing had me so frustrated yesterday I had to yank myself away. I'll get after it again this afternoon
Cool… looking at my VP now and have a mysterious puddle and dropping PS tank level
Check this and/or the power steering cooler. I have a video on that as well -> czcams.com/video/-5Rw0wbTV_4/video.html
Have you reinstalled the actuator yet? After watching this vid i pulled mine. OMG! to say the least! I dropped one cotter pin.
Only dropping one pin - that’s a win!
No mine isn’t back in yet. It’s being sent out next week to get new seals installed.
About to get mine out, ordered the seals from eBay and hoping to be able to rebuild it myself (with my mechanic neighbour).
nice! I was a little too intimidated to try that part. They say to use regular non-synthetic ATF when you put it back together.
Did you have to pull the engine for this? I’m hoping you can remove it without that.
@@texandad I didn’t have to pull my engine but I have heard of times where people have. It really depends if you can get to and remove those cotter pins. I really had to struggle with mine and use picks, screwdrivers and needle nose pliers.
Hi Wayne.. I’m. Looking for a mechanics to help me with the power steering in my 2001 Volvo Penta 5.7 in Hollywood, Fl.
It seems like mechanics are hard to find these days! Good luck
A stubby air ratchet would make the bottom bolt much better, mine was super tight
I'm not sure one would fit where my bottom bold was located - but each boat is quite different!
Congratulations on getting the leaking steering actuator removed. It looked so cramped in there I know the feeling of having to be a contortionist to get at a part. It is good you did not have to pull the engine. After going thru a number of boat surveys in the past, I think they are overrated. I think it is much better to perform your own survey and include an in the water sea trial before the purchase. Chances are if you just uncovered the problem after months of use, a survey would not have found it anyway. When you buy an older boat you have to have the mindset that it will require maintenance to fix these problems on an on going basis as well as the preventative maintenance like oil changes and tune ups.
Yeah a survey (like a car inspection) doesn't always tell the story, but also like a car inspection it takes quite a bit of know-how, experience and practice to get good at being able to look at things thoroughly and objectively. I have a long history of overlooking things I know I can tackle instead of using those things as a bargaining tool!