[clman8585]

A1 3.0. After 25min cruise with no problems, I was turning the boat to go back to get a down skier. The engine alarm came on. The boat will still run top speed. But the steering wheel is hard to turn. And the boat is overeating (accirding to the guage). I took the boat out of the water and hooked up the muffs. At idle with water on, there is no alarm, and boat is not overheating. Water seems to be running through no problem.

Any ideas?

From my understanding, a1 merc alarm system will only sound for 3 problems, oil pressure, engine temp, or gear oil sensor.

[Lucky14]

Have you water tested since the alarm?

Check the belt and belt tensioner.... If the drive was hard to turn the power steering pump wasn't giving assist, likely due to the belt tension, slipping or breaking. This would result in low or no water pump volume

[clman8585]

So the power steering belt is not turning while the engine is idling with the ear muffs. Should it be? If so then i guess thats my problem.

[woodward33]

Yes it should be.

[clman8585]

Yikes so i called the mechanic and he says new power steering assembly is 700 hundo!! How can i tell myself if i need the entire assebmly or if it can be fixed without it?

[woodward33]

clman8585,

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that your entire power steering assembly needs to be replaced just yet. You said that the belt was not turning the pulley on the pump when the engine is running, correct? That sounds to me like more of a tensioner/belt problem as Lucky14 mentioned earlier as opposed to a power steering pump issue.

This would also explain why your boat is overheating at speed, but not on the muffs. At idle on the muffs the pressure from the garden hose helps push water through the engine block. If your belt is slipping on your water pump while in the lake, that pressure isn't there, and your boat then overheats.

Take your hand and wiggle the belt...how much play is there?

[clman8585]

Thanks guys. I dropped the boat off at the merc mechanic. I dont have the time to mess with it. Hopefuly they wont run me for all im worth..