Leaking bellows

[8x56mn]

Well, sad day the boat that I sold to a good friend (1981 Sting Ray 140 I/O MC) apparently has developed a bellows leak. This was my fear when I owned the boat. The marina called and said they noticed the boat sitting low and investigated. They found water up to the bottom of the starter and pumped it out and the new owner has requested that they take care of the bellows issue and pull the starter to check it out as well. Can anyone who has taken their boat to have this repair tell me what this bellows replacement should cost. Don, I know you do this all the time, how long should the job take. The marina gets 65.00 per hour shop charge.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Leaking bellows

$65 is cheap per hour!......
If it is just bellows, 5 hours or so should be sufficient.....​

 

[rad1026]

Re: Leaking bellows

Be prepared though, you really need to inspect what they want to repair because once the bellows are off they will probably recommend gimble bearing, shift cable and maybe even U-joints. Some of that may be justified, some not.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Leaking bellows

Well they'er going to replace all the bellows, 6-800 estimate.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Leaking bellows

probably recommend gimble bearing, shift cable and maybe even U-joints. Some of that may be justified, some not

i'd be concerend about those items since it leaked. i would think these items would not only be justified, but required. also the shift cable bellows i'd think....

don't know if ya ran it or not. but ya might check yer gear lub too. i understand the drive seal that got wet to only keep oil in the drive. not keep water out of the drive.....food for thought anyways.......

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Leaking bellows

Good advice, the owner started it up and ran it down to the ramp and pulled it out of the water. I did recomend checking the gear lube. It does have synthetic oil so that's a good thing if the seal did fail. He was not upset about the bellows at all and said he got such a good deal on the price and the bellows are an expendible item anyway and would have to be replaced sooner or later. I just hate selling something and then having problems, even if it's beyond your control. I sold the boat for 2500. with brand new walk about canvas, new fish finder and all fishing gear including the trailer.

 

[Don S]

Re: Leaking bellows

I've only dealt with boats in salt water and if that one was in salt water you WILL need gimbal bearing, ujoints, and probably a new front seal in the drives upper and possibly a new yoke. Rust builds up on the yoke from the water, then the rust cuts the seal (like using sand paper on the seal) and the oil leaks out.
I would also suggest an automatic bilge pump with a float switch or one of the computer controlled ones, along with at least a weekly bilge inspection.

 

[Zim]

Re: Leaking bellows

I was quoted 550 plus parts for bellows to be changed so I did them myself. Another place quoted 288 plus parts. Needless to say, the guy charging 550 is the only boat service area within 40 miles.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Leaking bellows

Don the boat is in the Finger lakes of NY, frash water only and exposed for perhaps 24 hrs or so.

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Leaking bellows

I've only dealt with boats in salt water and if that one was in salt water you WILL need gimbal bearing, ujoints, and probably a new front seal in the drives upper and possibly a new yoke. Rust builds up on the yoke from the water, then the rust cuts the seal (like using sand paper on the seal) and the oil leaks out.
I would also suggest an automatic bilge pump with a float switch or one of the computer controlled ones, along with at least a weekly bilge inspection.

Yes he bought an auto bildge today.

 

[Don S]

Re: Leaking bellows

Yes he bought an auto bildge today.

Closeing the gate, after the horse gets out

 

[8x56mn]

Re: Leaking bellows

Closeing the gate, after the horse gets out

Well I guess that's how we all learn