Replace water inlet hose on Bravo 3

BillWilliams

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 23, 2021
Messages
76
I have discovered my inlet hose appears to be starting to leak so I will be replacing it. It is part number 8M0062666.

I ran across another post here recommending Shieldsflex II hoses and I have found them but they mention "gradual" bends.

Does anyone have a definition of a "gradual" bend or other recommendations?

I guess my question is does the OEM part (which is much higher in cost) allow tighter bends?

Thanks
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,184
Go with the molded (i.e. OEM) part, as it is pre-shaped to fit the contour where the inlet hose has to lie along side and up/around the u-joint bellows.

There are a couple of bends that are nearly 90˚, IIRC.
 

BillWilliams

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 23, 2021
Messages
76
The OEM part number (from Mercury's website) is 8M0062666.

That does not appear to be pre-shaped or am I missing something?

I do agree the hose seems to have some fairly tight bends.

This is in a '99 Formula 260ss and it is just so darned tight in there.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,666
alldodge -

Thanks for the suggestion but you are showing the hose that is on the outside of the boat that carries the water from the outdrive to the transom assembly. I have to replace the hose going from the inside of the transom assembly to the raw water pump.

ok, look for "shields marine 1 1/4 intake hose"

intake/exhaust hose
 

San_Diego_SeaRay

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
337
Does anyone have a definition of a "gradual" bend or other recommendations?

The fear is your hose "kinking" and stopping water flow. As long as you run it in such a way as to make kinking impossible, I would just buy a quality steel reinforced hose that fits and go with it.
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,184
Look for this part #. It is pre-formed and addresses Bravoitis.

Mercruiser 32-8M0090859​

 

BillWilliams

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 23, 2021
Messages
76
Thank you all for the suggestions.

I realized I was not clear enough in my initial question stating this is the hose inside the boat going from the transom assembly to the raw water pump. Sorry about that.
 

San_Diego_SeaRay

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2014
Messages
337
Thank you all for the suggestions.

I realized I was not clear enough in my initial question stating this is the hose inside the boat going from the transom assembly to the raw water pump. Sorry about that.

I rcently had a leak at the end of the hose you're talking about. It was flared and broken just enough to leak. If your leak is where it mates to the sea water pump and you have enough "slack" in your current hose, you might just cut off 3" with a sawzall w. a metal cutting blade. Better than having to spend $100. And yes, Shields will work just as good as OEM if you do need to replace it. Just make sure it is steel reinforced stuff.
 

BillWilliams

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 23, 2021
Messages
76
Unfortunately, the hose has been rubbing up against a bolt head at the top of the transom assembly (I think part of the engine mount) so that's where the problem is. I've been battling a leak and thought I had it whipped when I found water in the shift bellows last week. I cleaned up the bellows and put bellows adhesive on it (there was none) but I'm still getting water and this past weekend I noticed the damp spot on this hose where it's making contact with the bolt head.
 

BillWilliams

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 23, 2021
Messages
76
Just to post an update. Turns out the hose is not leaking.

I'm seeing what appears to be a small bit of oil (assuming power steering fluid) from the power steering slave cylinder that is directly above the hose.

When you touch the area on the hose, it definitely is not water, it has an oily feel to it.
 
Top