Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

Hello fellow Mariah'ians,

I'm new to the forum but a long time Mariah owner/lover. I have a '98 Talari 226 named "No Drama". Perhaps you have seen the pics that my buddy posted in the gallery with aluminum tower, etc.

Anyways, I have an issue. I just splashed my boat yesterday in Austin, Texas to start another season of boating. I had the typical rough idle but let the boat idle at speed for 30 mins in my dock while I helped another buddy launch. I returned in horror to the sight of light smoke coming from under the dash. I quickly powered down the engine and raised the hatch. There was a strong fluid/rubber smell.

I let everything cool, took the engine cover panels off. Restarted the motor to hear a well-running engine. After running for a while, the smoking started again. The only issue that I saw was that all fluids were full EXCEPT the power steering. Additionally, there was a sling pattern in the side and top of the engine cover in the upper right side near the PS pump. I'm assuming that I have a leak in the seals or connections.

Questions:
1 - would this cause the smoking assuming it had been slung around the manifold, etc.
2 - do I use standard power steering fluid or ATF fluid as my neighbor recommends?

Thanks for helping out a club newbie.

/jm

Re: Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

Howdy JM, welcome to the board, sorry to hear of your problem.
Any small amount of oil will cause a considerable amount of smoke and when it is enclosed in your engine bay, it will seem even worse.
The ATF that your mate told you about is an acronym for Automatic Transmission Fluid, it is exactly the same product that is used in many power steering units in motor vehicles.
If the fluid in your power steering is red then it will be ATF - however ATF is known to come in different colours. You can put ATF into your power steering with complete confidence.
As far as which hose is blown, probably fill up your reservoir again, clean all hoses off, and then use your power steering to see where exactly it is coming out.
My 2 cents anyway mate, good luck.

Re: Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

Tony -- Thanks for the feedback. The root of my question is whether the factory specs call for power steering fluid or automatic transmission fluid? The existing fluid (at least what remains) is NOT red in color. I'm assuming power steering fluid is to spec?

Thanks again,
/joel

Re: Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

What brand of power?
Is there a label located somewhere on the top of the engine that has a color code that tells you what liquids to use and where to use them?

Re: Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

Mercruiser 5.7L

Re: Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

PER THE MERCRUISER MANUAL:
IMPORTANT: Refer to MAINTENANCE CHART for complete
listing of all scheduled maintenance to be performed. Some
listings can be done by owner/operator, while others should be
performed by an Authorized Mercury MerCruiser Dealer. Before
attempting maintenance or repair procedures not covered in
this manual, it is recommended that a Mercury MerCruiser
Service Manual be purchased and read thoroughly.
NOTE: Maintenance points are color coded for ease of
identification. See the decal on engine for identification.
• Blue-Coolant
• Yellow-Engine Oil
• Orange-Fuel
Maintenance Aids
1 Power Steering System - Quicksilver Power Trim and Steering
Fluid or Dexron III automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
2 Propeller Shaft - Quicksilver Special Lubricant 101.
3 Sterndrive Unit - Quicksilver High Performance Gear Lube.
4 All Exterior Surfaces - Quicksilver Primer and Spray Paint and
Quicksilver Corrosion Guard.

Re: Howdy from Texas: Fluid Spec Question
 

Further information and downloadable copys of owner's and maintenance manuals are available to contributing members. I highly recommend becoming full member even if its only to gain access to all the manuals.