Bellows- What am I looking for?

[TilliamWe]

Ok, 1997 Mercruiser Bravo 3 650 hours. Been in a freshwater slip for last 5 summers. No leaks, just wanting to do some preventative, if necessary. I looked at the large bellows, and saw no cracking on the bottom. Should I be looking at the top? Or does the fact that it's always slipped in the down position, and winter stored with the drive off, mean I am cheating the "wear out curve"? <br />Shifter bellows, no leak, but that clamp is rusted in two. I read on here, and I am thinking it doesn't really affect anything. Is that still the opinion? That bellows did show some "cracking" in the deep parts of the ribs, but not holes. If it developes a hole, does water come in the boat? Or just ruin the shift cable? Or both or neither?

 

[tommays]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

Mine lasted 9 years but i think i would not go over 5 again from what i learned here about the high cost of it leaking VS changeing it before it leaks<br /><br />There was nothing worng with it at 9 years BUT it was much stiffer than the new one and i think that would have ended in a crack<br /><br />IT was the same with the water hose looked it looked fine BUT was much stiffer than the new one<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[mike11374]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

aren't there supposed to be slits on the bottom of one of the bellows?

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

Bellow Nightmare:<br />Last season I had new bellows put on by my marina mechanics and when I came back to the boat, her on-water profile looked a little "lower". Yep, one of them had a defect and water came in. Thankfully the slip was a shallow one and not enough water got in to cause much more than a headache. Now, I will always be present after repair/maintenance to ensure nothing happens. <br /><br />So, play it on the safe side. If there are cracks in the bellows, sooner or later they will be holes. If a clamp is busted, fix it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

My bet is that it's a 97 bellows and is due for replacement. I don't even count the bellows I replace that have water in them and only 1 small hole. The rest of the bellows looks fine.<br />The shift cable bellows will only leak into the boat, not damage the cable.<br /><br />mike11374: Those slits are on OMC Cobra exhaust bellows, not Mercruiser.<br /><br />JeffQ, don't you have an automatic bilge pump??????

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

DON S.<br /><br />I DO NOW!!! hahaha<br /><br />The previous owner, for whatever reason, diconnected it! Got a new one installed.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

Don, you say leaking with only one small hole, well yeah, I understand that. But is there a certain place that most of them occur? Oh, and I am certain it's the original, that's never been a question (I bought the boat from my dad, who bought it new).<br />Since I remove my drive every fall, I know the driveshaft bellows is not leaking. I was hoping you'd say the shift one only leaks into the boat. I have an auto bilge pump, and two batteries, so, I am okay there. But if I start getting a little water in the boat, the shift bellows will get changed. And I suppose so will the other, since it'll be out of the water. But I do hate to spend money until I have to. Does the other bellows leak into the boat? Or just into the gimbal, and viola, the big problems/money that tommays refers to start? Thanks all!

 

[Don S]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

If the ujoint bellows leaks, it leaks into the boat too, while it is getting water into the drive, the gimbal bearing and the ujoints. If it rusts the yoke you have to replace that to or you won't be able to keep a front seal in the drive.<br />To be honest, I think it's foolish NOT to change the ujoint bellows. If the others aren leaking, leave them alone till they do. But don't press your luck on the ujoint bellows. Those should be replaced every 5 or 6 years to be safe. You can only be lucky for so long then it all catches up in a hurry.<br />Why do you think it's called PREVENTIVE Maintenance.

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

I got water in mine and it cost 700.00 to reseal my upper unit. Since then I change it every year. it's an easy job and they are cheap in comparison. Plus you'll feel better about it. No need to worry after 4 years. All during your 5th & 6th, every time you go out, you'll wonder if it's leaking and destroying your drive. What fun is that? <br /><br />I work on the damn thing enoguh already (right Don?). I don't wanna worry about that again. Once a year is obsessive, but I'd never go more than 3.<br /><br /><br />-Mike

 

[Don S]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

Yea, every year is a little (read a LOT) obsessive. With the Mercruiser (or OMC/Volvo SX style belows) for a trailer boat 5 or 6 years in fresh water is fine. But for a boat that spends all summer in the water, especially in salt water, 5 years is max, and really pushing your luck. 3 to 4 would be better in salt, fresh no problem.<br />That doesn't mean the drive shouldn't be pulled at the end of each season for maintenace, it should. And it really isn't necessary to pull the bellows and put it on a shelf in a warm dry place like I read in another post..... That sounds like something Mike might try...... Geeezzz.<br />Mike, if you don't put that boat in the water this weekend and check it out, I may have to fly down there and apply a bit of whoopazz on ya to get things moving on that driveway queen ya have there.

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Bellows- What am I looking for?

I am in my driveway freezing my *** off with my 1st mate now. Adusting the shift cable much to my neighbors chagrin (gotta make sure that prop spins into gear right?).<br /><br />Buttoning it all up now.. Water test Friday afternoon, or Sunday..<br /><br />BTW, I don't put my bellows on a shelf silly. I keep it on my mantle. The warm fire keeps it pliable..