Got to the ramp last night, loaded the boat and noticed what appeared to be hydraulic oil on the back of the transom underneath the engine. At first I thought maybe it was the Teleflex / Seastar power steering cylinder leaking. I've had them go bad before on other boats.

I had the ability to examine everything in the "Light Of Day". The steering unit is smooth, couldn't find any leaks, although I did notice that above about 30 MPH, the steering was very stiff yesterday. There isn't any slop / dead play in the steering, setting on the trailer it appears to be "Like New".

Removed the engine cowling and did a fairly detail inspection on the engine and didn't find anything obvious that could have created the problem.

Guys, need your collective "Wisdom" and idea on what to look at next.

OBW, during my fishing outing yesterday the engine ran great, no indications on that there is a problem with the engine, temp, water pressure, etc.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Flux capacitor is leaking, needs to be replaced.

What color is it?

The color of the residual on the transom appear to be almost clear to a slight "Yellowish" liquid. Agian, my first instinct was to blame the hydraulic steering unit, but again, it appears to be "Like New"


I'm lost, this should be simply, but I haven't decoded this as of yet....

Curious, what is a flux capacitor, and where is located on the engine? It would need to hold a large quantity of liquid to leave the footprint I found on my transom....

Only if your boat is a Delorean going back to the future.

Appears I can remove the "Flux Capacitor" as an item on my trouble shooting list.....actually enjoyed the humor

I've actually said that before to some ripoff idiot mechanic, he told me he couldn't find the problem, I've looked over and over and can't seem to figure it out, I said wellll did you check the flux capacitor that'd be my first guess, he looked at me weird and said I checked it, seems to be fine and operating normal......yeah I think it's time to go somewhere else

Funny guy; welcome back Ranger21 to the posting world.

So as a TAMU alumn, I enjoy and participate in humor, given it's in good taste and pointed toward TAMU.......Now back to my issue....I'm still thinking this is a problem with the hydraulic steering unit. As I understand there isn't anything else below the power head , other than the steering "Assist Unit" that would cause this problem.

Ok, you engine "Techs", need to jump in on this blog and, think "Out Loud" in text about any thoughts you can provide on the problem and possible recommendations.....

only other thing I can think of lower that the power head is the tilt and trim..unless you have a hydraulic jackplate

I guess when you looked, there was no oil in the pan on the motor..so times the carbs spill/leak, left over/unburned gas/oil

kingdad 101,
Tks for your response. Yes, I did a inspection of both the powerhead and the pan below the powerhead when I had the engine bonnet off, and their was nothing leaking from the engine as I ran it on the water hose at the house.

well........did you check the fluid level in the steering helm..seems like it has to be the steering fluid you are seeing..

if this is not it, I give...

Good inputs from one and all....

Finally gave up and carried it back to the lake. At speeds under ~~ 20mph the steering worked great, get above ~~20 mph where the pressure exerted around the lower unit starts to build and loads the steering cylinder, and it began to leak hydraulic fluid.

Ordered a cylinder rebuild kit, this should solve the problem......