Have a new boat equipped with a Volvo 5.0GXi with SX outdrive. Only
about five hours on it; still breaking it in. A few times, at idle
speed, the steering has pulsed/shuddered for a few seconds. It
happened when we initially launched, and a few times during docking
manuevers. Almost like the pump was cutting pressure on and off. The
motor sounded like it was running normally. Also, I've found that
this is the most "boosted" steering I've ever experienced on a boat.
The steering wheel spins with ridiculous ease. Too easy, IMHO.

The boat will be heading for 20 hour service in a month or so. I'll
have the dealer's service department look at it, but I wanted to see
if anyone had ideas about what it might be.

On Feb 26, 2:28 pm, "rbstern" wrote:
Have a new boat equipped with a Volvo 5.0GXi with SX outdrive. Only
about five hours on it; still breaking it in. A few times, at idle
speed, the steering has pulsed/shuddered for a few seconds. It
happened when we initially launched, and a few times during docking
manuevers. Almost like the pump was cutting pressure on and off. The
motor sounded like it was running normally. Also, I've found that
this is the most "boosted" steering I've ever experienced on a boat.
The steering wheel spins with ridiculous ease. Too easy, IMHO.

The boat will be heading for 20 hour service in a month or so. I'll
have the dealer's service department look at it, but I wanted to see
if anyone had ideas about what it might be.

The fluid does bypass when not being called on to push in one
direction or another so I'd venture to guess it could just be tight.
All my boat ps experiences are that they turn pretty effortlessly.
Did you not have ps on your prior boat?

The fluid does bypass when not being called on to push in one
direction or another so I'd venture to guess it could just be tight.
All my boat ps experiences are that they turn pretty effortlessly.
Did you not have ps on your prior boat?

I do have an 200hp outboard boat with hydraulic steering. There is
more resistance.

It's been about nine years since I had an I/O with power steering,
although I have driven others as recently as last September. Last one
I drove had exactly the same motor and outdrive as this new boat. I
don't recall it feeling this "over-boosted."

The steering valve is defective. Have it replaced under warranty.
JR

rbstern wrote:

Have a new boat equipped with a Volvo 5.0GXi with SX outdrive. Only
about five hours on it; still breaking it in. A few times, at idle
speed, the steering has pulsed/shuddered for a few seconds. It
happened when we initially launched, and a few times during docking
manuevers. Almost like the pump was cutting pressure on and off. The
motor sounded like it was running normally. Also, I've found that
this is the most "boosted" steering I've ever experienced on a boat.
The steering wheel spins with ridiculous ease. Too easy, IMHO.

The boat will be heading for 20 hour service in a month or so. I'll
have the dealer's service department look at it, but I wanted to see
if anyone had ideas about what it might be.



--
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Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

On Feb 26, 9:02 pm, JR North wrote:
The steering valve is defective. Have it replaced under warranty.
JR

JR, thanks for the diagnosis. Is there any problem with running the
boat until the 20 hour service, I do I need to have this issue
corrected immediately due to the potential for more damager or danger
to the boat or passengers?

Any malfunction of a boost system for the steering is serious. It may
just continue to pulse, or it may drive the steering to lock with no
warning. You choose. Don't let the dealer BS you either. Make them fix it
JR

rbstern wrote:

On Feb 26, 9:02 pm, JR North wrote:

The steering valve is defective. Have it replaced under warranty.
JR


JR, thanks for the diagnosis. Is there any problem with running the
boat until the 20 hour service, I do I need to have this issue
corrected immediately due to the potential for more damager or danger
to the boat or passengers?



--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

On Feb 27, 8:37 pm, JR North wrote:
Any malfunction of a boost system for the steering is serious. It may
just continue to pulse, or it may drive the steering to lock with no
warning. You choose. Don't let the dealer BS you either. Make them fix it
JR

Ok. Thank you!