Merc 165, water in bellows

[GearheadS]

Drive is off, water (fresh, not salt) in bellows. 3 years ago I pulled the drive to remove the engine. At that time I replaced the main bellows, installed it with 3M weatherstrip cement on the advice of local marine shop. Tightened clamps. Installed drive with new gasket and rubber ring seal. I know now that it started leaking a small amount of water right after that (tiny bit of water would drain from drive, which I did every trip - never enough to turn the gear oil to a milkshake), so something I installed didn't seal right, or my new bellows has a pinhole, which seems unlikely.

Does it seem more likely that the leak is in the bellows, or the rubber ring seal on the drive? I was gonna remove the bellows this morning to check and reseal it, but holy cow, that 3M adhesive has the thing really stuck. I couldn't get it to loosen at all, so I'm thinking, what's the likelihood of that leaking? More likely the drive gasket and ring - maybe? Opinions?

The U-joint assembly is very rusty on the outside but the joints feels good, so I think the rubber seals did their job and kept the water out. I'm going to disassemble and re-grease them anyway. Since water was sneaking past the upper outdrive seal, would it be best to replace it?

Thanks, Jeremy

 

[Kainon]

Re: Merc 165, water in bellows

I think I would try the easy thing first.. replace the drive gasket & seal, and check again.

Where are you getting water from in the drive ?? if from checking the lower plug then I'd check/replace the seal there ( plastic washer type ) or maybe you have 2 there.. can cause a problem.

I had a problem that I Cut and pinched the Big O-ring drive seal when installing, put the O-ring in first( i use a little grease on it ) and turn the proper counter-clockwise, while in Forward (drive ) while putting the drive on.. good luck.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Merc 165, water in bellows

i had water in my bellows right after i got my boat. i didn't know where it was coming from.
so. i just did it all. ujoint bellow, shift cable bellows, shift shaft seal w/ the new style double seal.
i also had rusty ujoints. they were replaced. best i understand. if they get wet, they will fail, sooner than later. along with that the gimble brg. and yes, the ft. seal of the drive was replaced. i had what i think was only mild water intrusion. but the universal joint drive shaft also took a hit (rustys)

rust right at where the seal rides at... it got replaced too.

basicly, ya might as well do it all. yer gonna be right there. might as well do whatever ya can, unless ya like taking it all apart...

fwiw, i also did shift cable and water hose. i was right there. figured i might as well do it..