Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

[punchcard]

I am trying to repair my bellows and can not tighten the hose clamp without the bellow falling off the outdrive. Is there a tip or trick to positioning the outdrive so that I can reach the hose clamp?
My searching revealed that I need a glue. (None used by the shop that repaird it on July 6th)
Also, can I use an auto glue or liquid gasket as the adhesive?

Thank You.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

I belive that there is a glue for that.
read the top of this section, im sure it in there somewhere.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

Mercruise suggests using bellows adhesive to secure the exhaust bellows. I have tried many times, and it doesn't work.
What I have found, is if you use an OEM bellows only, use no glue at all, Clean the bellhousing of all old glue (I mean all the glue). Then when you are ready to install the exhaust bellows to the bellhousing, use some Mercury Power Tuner to lube the bellows. Using the proper bellows tool, pull the bellows onto the bellhousing. Go take a break for a few minutes while the power tuner evaporates, then raise the bellhousing slightly so you can tighten the clamp (Leave the bellows install tool in place during all this) .
Now you will not have a problem with the bellows coming off.
If you use an aftermarket bellows, or fail to clean the bellhousing off properly, all bets are off.

Or use the tube to save the hassle.

 

[gshldon]

Re: Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

I would just use the tube and have it all on in about 5 mins as it just attaches to the transom side and that is all.

Good Luck and Happy Boating

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

If he has a problem with the bellows falling off, it's a Gen II drive. No groove in the bellhousing like the one drive like the 898 have.

 

[punchcard]

Re: Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

Thank you all,
I need to understand the pulling the bellows part. I can hardly see were the exhaust system attaches to the transom with the engine in place and if I am supposed to pull the bellows tool from that end this will be even harder (1996 Maxum SR18). I will look at that this weekend and try a little more. I agree and understand the no glue part as the hose clamp should hold just fine if I can get some traction on the tool. It is all very clean metal to rubber now. I am thinking of making a bellows squeezer that I can slip over the bellows. This will allow me to attach the bellows when the outdrive is raised and then remove the sqeezer tool. I'll get back with whatever I get to work.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Merc 4.3LX exhaust bellows repair

On a couple problem GenIIs I drilled the bellhousing snout from the bottom and installed couple of 3/16 pop rivets in it. That gives the rubber something to bite into when the clamp is tightened,and of course with adhesive. 'nutcase