Fiat4Fun
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 223
The season is winding down here in Oregon,
Already planned to have the boat winterized on Oct 4th. Should be able to get to the lake two or three more times
I have had some interesting issues this year, but nothing major.
The one thing I am planning is replacing the drive shaft bellow ( along with the other bellows). When I pulled off the drive last weekend, to see
where water was getting in, I saw a small rip in the bellow where the internal spring end has ripped the bellow.
I put some 3M Marine sealant on it, and tested in the lake, and no more water is getting in, and I also lubed the u joints while I had the drive off.
So, as I plan to replace the bellows and gimbal bearing ( as water did get to it) over the "off season", the question is, which Bellows do I use? I have read that the Mercruiser bellow is thicker than the aftermarket. I also plan to replace the impeller too, as it is on it's third season.
What is your opinion? Use Mercruiser original parts? Do they last longer? I know they cost more, but time is money too. The Bellow on there now is not a Mercruiser part, and it failed or ripped after three seasons, and 140 hours.
Many of you have way more experience than I do, and don't mind spending a bit more , IF it is worth it, and the parts last longer.
Your thoughts?
Already planned to have the boat winterized on Oct 4th. Should be able to get to the lake two or three more times
I have had some interesting issues this year, but nothing major.
The one thing I am planning is replacing the drive shaft bellow ( along with the other bellows). When I pulled off the drive last weekend, to see
where water was getting in, I saw a small rip in the bellow where the internal spring end has ripped the bellow.
I put some 3M Marine sealant on it, and tested in the lake, and no more water is getting in, and I also lubed the u joints while I had the drive off.
So, as I plan to replace the bellows and gimbal bearing ( as water did get to it) over the "off season", the question is, which Bellows do I use? I have read that the Mercruiser bellow is thicker than the aftermarket. I also plan to replace the impeller too, as it is on it's third season.
What is your opinion? Use Mercruiser original parts? Do they last longer? I know they cost more, but time is money too. The Bellow on there now is not a Mercruiser part, and it failed or ripped after three seasons, and 140 hours.
Many of you have way more experience than I do, and don't mind spending a bit more , IF it is worth it, and the parts last longer.
Your thoughts?
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