exhaust bellows broke, need help

[Partner Ship 63]

Hey gang, yesterday, after I hauled out and as I was raising the outdrive all the way up to clean off the algea, the exhaust bellows broke. I assume and hope that this just happened because the drive was all the way up and was not already cracked while it was in the water.<br />First question: If it was cracked while in the water, would I know it, is there a way to tell?<br />Second qeustion: Can this repair wait until spring? I still need to winterize the engine, by running it using the clappers. Is the bellows needed to operate the engine/outdrive at any time, or is it only really needed while under water.<br />I have a 2000 Four Winns 268 5.7L, w. VP DP-S outdrive<br />Thanks in advance!<br />Dave

 

[rodbolt]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

its not really needed and the original had holes in it to drain water. it does keep exhaust gas away from the drive area and allows water to flow out the flapper on the rear of the ventalation plate.<br /> good luck but no worries its not critcal and its easy to change. just make sure the holes go to the bottom

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

I agree with rodbolt, not a critical problem at all, as long as it is ONLY THE EXHAUST BELLOW !<br />I would immediately examine the drive bellow and make sure that it is in good condition, if not water will most likely be in your u-joints and and gimbal bearing, you do not want these to rust over winter, could be very expense repair in the spring.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

Actually it might be terribly critical. It is a likely indication that the other bellows are bad as well, and your boat could sink if either of those broke. If one bellows was rotton, they all are. Sorry, but you'd better give very serious consideration towards replacing them ASAP. It's also a good idea to replace the sending units and water supply hose. They all have rubber that rots out at about the same rate. You just got lucky and the least critical one failed first. Many people are not so lucky. Replace all of them and you only do it once. Do one at a time and it costs a ton more in the long run. Doesn't seem like it should have gotten that bad in so few years, but obviously it did. It all depends on their exposure to the elements.

 

[Don S]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

your boat could sink if either of those broke

The boat will NOT get water into the engine, or the boat if the exhaust bellows breaks, falls off or is even missing. All it does is directs the exhaust gas and water through the drive and out the prop hub.<br />To make sure you are talking about the right bellows, the exhaust bellows (#24 in picture below) is the lower and smaller of the 2 bellows. The upper is the u-joint bellows (item #5) and will allow water into the boat as mentioned by Willy.<br /><br />

 

[Partner Ship 63]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

 

[Partner Ship 63]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

Thanks for all your help. it definately was the exhaust bellows, but in the spring I will replace both bellows, as well as the water intake hose. It's up on blocks for the winter right now, so hopefully it won't sink, hehe. Now I just need to figure out how what to do with the outdrive wehn I remove it. have any of you used a outdrive hoist or cradle? or do you just lay it down on the ground?

 

[trebor0301]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

If your talking about changing the exhaust bellows then you should not need to take your outdrive apart or off.If its like mine It's just a rubber hose and two hose clamps.The bellows most likely will have a small weep hole in the middle.That should face down for self draining.I replaced mine fairly easy.If I can do it anyone can!!!

 

[Don S]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

trebor, you do have to pull the drive to replace the exhaust bellows. There is a large snapring holding the bellows onto the bellhousing. Note he has a DP-S style drive and it's not the same as the 290 style Volvo drive.<br /><br />PS63, yes, you can lay the drive down. Won't hurt it a bit.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

I stand corrected. I was thinking MerCruiser. But the rest about rubber rot stands. If one is bad, the rest can't be far behind.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: exhaust bellows broke, need help

Originally posted by WillyBWright:<br />[QBBut the rest about rubber rot stands. If one is bad, the rest can't be far behind. [/QB]

Totally agree.<br /><br />Aldo