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328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
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Author:  MikeN [ Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:32 am ]
Post subject:  328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
I have a power steering fluid leak at the back of my port 5.7 GSI motor. It is a slow leak, but impossible to see since it is at the oil cooler located at the back of the motor. I laid down drip cloths to see exactly where the leak is and a have been able to feel fluid at the oil cooler. However, due to lack of space, I can't look behind the motor. It is so tight back there. I can just get my arm behind the motor and feel fluid around the oil cooler which is dripping slowly into my bilge. Either the oil cooler has a crack or the hoses attached to the oil cooler are cracked/not fitted properly. The problem is I can't get my head behind to see. My mechanic said he may have to pull the motor to find the leak and fix it (sounds like a lot of work for a small leak that isn't even used with my power steering since it is the port motor).

However, I have noticed that besides the two large engine hatches that can be lifted to work on the motors, a third piece can also be possibly removed. The third piece is a combined rear floor and rear seat back rest. It is caulked in and if removed will give me another foot of opening at the back of the motors. There is some bolts and a vertical support bar holding this third fiberglass section piece in place. Has anyone taken out this third piece to work on things behind the motors? Do you have any suggestions before I try? Will this help me get to the back of the motors to fix the oil cooler leak problem? I am not sure it will give the mechanic enough room to see the leak and fix it by replacing the oil cooler or hose as necessary. Four Winns sure made a poor design to work at things located at the back transom. Please let me know if you have removed the third section and is it hard?
Author:  txvista [ Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
Mike,
I have no idea, but will look at mine this weekend. I know you can take off the aft seat all together. I have seen my mechanic do that when reaching back there. Also, did you remove the metal bar in the middle where the the engine hatches rest on? I did not remove it the first yr I had my boat. Didn't even think of it. But if I have to reach in the back of the compartment now, it is the first thing that comes off. May give you just a little more room.
Author:  MikeN [ Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
Yes I removed the middle metal bar that supports the hatches and even the vertical support bar. However, I believe the third section has to be removed when lifting the motors or trying to get to parts at the back of the motor (i.e oil cooler). I haven't tried to remove the back section since it involves removing the back seat back rest, some bolts and support bars, as well as chaulking. In regards to my oil cooler leak on the port motor, we discovered a kink in the power steering hose and rerouted the hose to stop the kink. I have to see if the leak continues on our next trip indicating that I need a new oil cooler. We did this all by feel since we could not stick our heads back there with the two engine hatches removed. By the way, do you know how the oil cooler is set up. Does it have power steering fluid surrounding a central water pipe or water surrounding a central power steering fluid pipe? If the water surrounds the power steering, then a cracked oil cooler should leak water and not power steering fluid.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
Can't say for sure, but will offer the starboard seat base in the cockpit of our 348 comes out. Sounds like a similar situation. I have to remove a bunch of screws in the floor of it, break the caulk seal where it meets the main deck and take out the cushion seatback and base. Once that's done the whole L-shaped base of the locker comes up and out. It's a BIG piece and a bit unweildy for one person, but I got it out by myself.

Seating removed, floor panel still in place:
Image
Panel removed: (and water heater being removed)
Image

I discovered this by asking the factory how to get at the danged hot water heater. It was a revelation knowing that WHOLE section could come up and out. Might be worth inquiring of the factory about it. boating@fourwinns.com is my usual source for getting questions answered. It's always good to go through a local dealer first, but sometimes they just don't have a clue.
Author:  MikeN [ Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
Thanks. I will try the Four Winns web site for removal instructions.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 328 Vista Power steering leak at oil cooler-Hard to get at!
MikeN wrote:
Thanks. I will try the Four Winns web site for removal instructions.

You will not find anything on the website. Thus why I suggested asking the factory directly.
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