Water in Bellows

[Goldsmithnb]

I have a 97 Stingray 220 LX with a 5.7 Mercruiser, paired with an Alpha 1 Gen 2.


So I pulled my OD off to check everything while winterizing. I had a pool of water in the u-joint bellows and in the bellows right below (I cant recall the nomenclature). I dont see any obvious cracks or tears in the bellows.

I do think I might have a leaky seal in the outdrive, as I seem to recall the oil being milky last time I changed it. I didnt know what I was looking at, and now do, so im assuming thats where the problem lies. This is what Im going to do:

1. Pressure test the OD
2. If bad, assume the seals are leaking water into the bellows?
3. Change bellows either way, as who knows if its ever been done on this boat
4. Replace the Gimbal bearing which is probably shot now
5. Change the u joints (because again, previous owner didnt really do any of this)


Does that make sense and am I skipping any steps? Not going to vacuum test as I see Merc doesn't recommend it.

Also, How long can the OD sit without oil in it? I need to do this over a couple of weeks.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Water in Bellows

1-yep
2-doing item 3
3-yep and might want to do consider changingthe shift cable/bellows also if unsure when that was done. The exhaust bellows is below the ujoint bellows and that will have water in it.
4-right again
5-good idea since water was in there

Don't see an issue with the drive off the boat and no oil in it. Might even make sure it's standing up with something under it to get every drop.

Have the Merc. manual available?

Mark

 

[dn010]

Re: Water in Bellows

If you pressure test the drive and it fails, you'll leak oil rather than water. The water coming in the bellows is probably from a failed bellows - a crack somewhere or bad seal of bellows to flange. If theres water in the exhaust bellows (right below the larger, u-joint bellows) it could be there from running previously in which case you shouldn't worry but I'd replace all bellows if you have no idea how old they are.

Doing the bearing is a good idea while you're at it because you don't want to just replace the bellows, seal it all back up only to have to do it again and it seems to me that things always fail right before the start of a season.

I cannot comment on how long a drive can sit with no oil - I know mine sat SEALED with no oil for years and I had no rust issues. I'm sure others will chime in soon. Good luck.

I have a 97 Stingray 220 LX with a 5.7 Mercruiser, paired with an Alpha 1 Gen 2.


So I pulled my OD off to check everything while winterizing. I had a pool of water in the u-joint bellows and in the bellows right below (I cant recall the nomenclature). I dont see any obvious cracks or tears in the bellows.

I do think I might have a leaky seal in the outdrive, as I seem to recall the oil being milky last time I changed it. I didnt know what I was looking at, and now do, so im assuming thats where the problem lies. This is what Im going to do:

1. Pressure test the OD
2. If bad, assume the seals are leaking water into the bellows?
3. Change bellows either way, as who knows if its ever been done on this boat
4. Replace the Gimbal bearing which is probably shot now
5. Change the u joints (because again, previous owner didnt really do any of this)


Does that make sense and am I skipping any steps? Not going to vacuum test as I see Merc doesn't recommend it.

Also, How long can the OD sit without oil in it? I need to do this over a couple of weeks.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Water in Bellows

To reiterate what the others have said - the water in the bellows is what caused the seal to fail - not the other way around. As I understand it the driveshaft seal is designed to keep the oil in the outdrive - not water out of it. If and when you get water in the bellows it can and does get into the outdrive. The chances are good your shaft is also rusty / scored and will need replaced along with the seal. Or you can perhaps install the seal at a different set point so it rides on "fresh" metal.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Water in Bellows

leaking carier seal, not a big deal. water from the gasket, rubber ring not glued inplace and dis-lodged, high bilge water level.
If you found a lot of water, then refill with some kind of oil now to keep the rust at a minimum

 

[Goldsmithnb]

Re: Water in Bellows

Update: it passed the pressure test so I went ahead and changed the impeller while I had it drained of oil. Looks like I'm about to do the Bellows.

Also, I noticed there wasn't any oil in the bellows so that's good. makes me think it's just the leaking Bellows and not a badseal as further confirmed by that pressure test.

 

[Goldsmithnb]

Re: Water in Bellows



So i finally had time to look into it. As you can see there were definitely two small holes in the bellows. Probably hasnt been changed in 10 years. Also gonna swap the gimbal because its clearly shot.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Water in Bellows

View attachment 216634View attachment 216635

So i finally had time to look into it. As you can see there were definitely two small holes in the bellows. Probably hasnt been changed in 10 years. Also gonna swap the gimbal because its clearly shot.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Odds are, the lower shift cable, 'n it's bellows is also well beyond it's expected service life,....
5 to 8 years is normal,...

Probably oughta change 'em while yer in there,...

Trim switch, 'n sender too, if ya use those things,...