Gasket Sealing Compound went bad?

[palace]

I have be storing my OMC /EJ gasket sealing compound in the garage here in cool AZ. This year I noticed the compound was kind of thin and not very sticky. Well I worn the U-Joints out in the last 3 outings probably from slow water leak from OD gasket.
Could I use volvo or mercrusier gasket seal? Could anyone give me an Idea of the shelf life of this gasket seal compound? Could anyone recommend substitutes or what you use?

 

[bruceb58]

The gasket on the outdrive does nothing to keep water out of the u-joints. The nose cone presses up against the u-joint bellows to seal it. How old are your u-joint bellows?

 

[palace]

bruce bellows are 3 yrs old look in good shape, I keep her in the garage. I did a light test on the bellows at night and did not see any cracks. stuck my florescent light stick in bellows sealed with a towel and move it up and down, left and right. I am going to run again this week and see if I get any water, i usually get no to about maybe a cup or so of water in the bilge.

 

[palace]

Bruce bellows are 3 yrs old look in good shape, I keep her in the garage. I did a light test on the bellows at night and did not see any cracks. stuck my florescent light stick in bellows sealed with a towel and move it up and down, left and right. I am going to run again this week and see if I get any water, i usually get no to about maybe a cup or so of water in the bilge. Thanks