Do you change your bellows every year?

[JimS123]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

let me just clarify I'm not going to change them, I just want to re-attach the one that fell off

Pardon me for my humor.....replacing its easy...its the attaching it thats the problem.

My son's brand new boat had his come off. It was a waranty job and the dealer said that the glue was omitted in the factory. That's why it failed. Anyway, he waited for the job to be done and it took them 2 hours.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

The shop manual shows a part number for the glue. Your local dealer should know what to use.

If he has a Gen II, Following the manual will not work (most of the time)

 

[xltier]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

Ok, well that's another thing Ill have to pick up.......any hints on a specific kind of glue? is there anything else I'm missing?

there is a newer style bellows for the exhaust that doesnt attach to the bell housing.much easier.you may hear a little more exhaust sound when sitting still.

 

[jetmart]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

Don S - can you elaborate on your comment that if you follow the manual it won't work with a Gen 2?

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

so what kind of glue is this? I'm going to attempt it later today, really doesn't seem that hard for the exhaust bellow.

I could see the driveshaft one being a PITA but this little one seems pretty easy...I just want it to stay?

What about roughing up the part on the leg with sand paper to get it to stay?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

Bellows adhesive, comes in squeeze tube. Prep work is the key, the better it is cleaned the better it will stay, Sand off and/or razor blade if necessary to clean along with slovent such as laquer thinner and allow to dry, then install using adhesive according to instructions on tube or in manual. Thats if you are reinstalling the bellows not exhaust tube.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

ok, all I'm doing is going to be re-attaching the exhaust bellow, do I still need to glue it?

 

[oceanbarrel]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

ok, all I'm doing is going to be re-attaching the exhaust bellow, do I still need to glue it?

if you want it to stay on you do

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

I'm not sure what part of the manual Don says to avoid... but 3M Weatherstrip adhesive is the same stuff as the bellows cement. You can get the 3M adhesive pretty much anywhere.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

While on the subject of bellows, I looked at some boats at a dealer and two mercs had new orange bellows. I asked and the guy claimed they were aftermarket silicon bellows that lasted 2x as long and the original rubber bellows. Is this true and is there such thing? I have not found any online and he would not tell me the brand name.

I would agree though with ozone and other atmospheric contaminants, that a silicone composite bellows would probably outlast a rubber one. Why merc doesn;t sell this is questionable.

 

[Darren J]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

Those aftermarket bellows that you saw may be Trident brand. They make VHT (very high temp) silicone exhaust bellows.

My bellows are 21 years of age. Changing them this year only because I need to do the trim limiter switch. A well/properly stored boat can really extend their lifespan.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

well my first attempt didn't work out so well.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

Read reply #19 again.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

Do you have an Alpha I Gen II outdrive?

I dont know......it's whatever came on a cheap *** 2004 bayliner with the 3.0

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

I dont know......it's whatever came on a cheap *** 2004 bayliner with the 3.0

The generation 2 drives were introduced in 91 so that's what you'll have.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

I dont know......it's whatever came on a cheap *** 2004 bayliner with the 3.0

Yeah, you have a Gen II drive.
I have fought those bellows for years. Cleaned sanded and glued per Merc specs with about a 50% success rate, and a 100% frustration rate.
Finally found a way that makes them stay on 100% or the time.
1. Clean every speck of glue off the bellows and the drive.
2. To lube the bellows so it slides on the drive easily, spray some Mercury Power Tuner on the bellows and pull it onto the drive and hold it in place with the special tool.
3. While tool is holding the bellows in place, tighten the clamp.
4. Take a 15 minute break.
5. Remove the bellows installation tool.
6. Install outdrive.
7. Go boating. The bellows will not fall off.

The TRICK:
The Power tuner is the key to this method, along with not having any glue to assist the bellows in sliding off.
The power tune works wonders on making hoses, bellows, and basically any type rubber, very slipery. But when it evaporates in a few minutes it acts more like glue than the bellows adhesive, but it's not a glue.
I can't explain why it works, but it does.

Merc PN 92-858080K0

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Do you change your bellows every year?

thanks man