Bravo 1 Bellows maintenance?

[tank1949]

I just pulled Bravo 1 drive and notice small corrosion where upper unit mates inside to bellows. Bellows looks good (no cracks). Former owner said he serviced a couple years ago and then stored boat on covered lift. However, some of the paint on the inside of the upper housing where it connect to bellows to form seal appear to be lifting. I can clean up but I was wondering if there is a huge O ring that fits into this area that former owner or his mechanic may have omitted? O ring would have to be around 3-4" in diameter and maybe 1/8" thick. I have not seen one in manual. So, if not, I can clean, prime, paint and then apply non-hardening gasket "dope" in this area to make a better seal. Any suggestions?

 

[Bt Doctur]

No O ring just the alum sleeve

 

[tpenfield]

Got picture? :noidea:

the outdrive is supposed to form a seal with the end of the bellows that is around the aluminum sleeve.

 

[tank1949]

It is suppose to. I suspect last person performing maintenance didn't scrap off corrosion accumulating on metal that gradually built up and caused a partial void, letting in more moisture. I plan on cleaning metal corrosion , repainting and applying a lot of marine type gasket sealant on the mating surfaces. If my logic is not sound, please advise. THX!

 

[tpenfield]

Keep in mind that water will make its way in the area where the outdrive and bell housing mate right up to where the seal is. (see picture) If the seal is leaking, you will get water in the u-joint bellows. No water in there, no leak.

So, it sort of depends on where the corrosion is located. Water will be inside the mating surface of the bell housing up to about the blue line where the seal is located.

 

[tank1949]

Keep in mind that water will make its way in the area where the outdrive and bell housing mate right up to where the seal is. (see picture) If the seal is leaking, you will get water in the u-joint bellows. No water in there, no leak.

So, it sort of depends on where the corrosion is located. Water will be inside the mating surface of the bell housing up to about the blue line where the seal is located.

Thanks for replying. Corrosion is on the male part that fits into your displayed area and leaving very small indents on the rubber bellows (seal area). Since bellows is not crack or has holes, I just suspect previous maintenance was poorly performed. Male part of upper unit should have been brushed with fine brass brush to remove any corrosion and then repainted. Just my 2 cents...