general bellows question

[sltintexas]

I just purchased a 1997 searay with a mercruiser 3.0 of the same year. This is my first inboard as other boats have been bass boats with outboard.

the boat sat for about 2 years and I am kind of assessing all the projects that I may need to do and had a bellows question. When people say they replaced the bellows what all pieces do they change?

If I am understanding it correctly these are the parts of the exhaust system inside the bilge area:

from the motor is an exhaust manifold, that connects to an elbow, that clamps to the intermediate exhaust tube, that clamps to the lower exhaust tube.

Are these parts I described that are inside the bilge area typically replaced on a regular basis? Or if they aren't leaking- don't mess with them?

From what I have been able to tell from youtube videos & reading the manuals is the real meat n' taters of what you changes is in the outdrive. There is the exhaust bellows, throttle cable bellows & water line. Is that correct?

I have also heard people say that they replaced the exhuast belows but they used an exhaust line and not the standard waffly looking bellows. What is that? Is that more of a solid rubber tube? Does anyone have a pic or a link where they sell it so I can get an idea of what it looks like?

Thanks in advance, great site here.

 

[badognobisc]

Re: general bellows question

i will try to answer some of your questions. The average time of replacement depends upon a inspection for servicability of the parts. There really is no time frame. What hurts a boat more is no use.

check the bellows for cracks dry rot and tears. If you get into replacing these parts, stick with OEM parts is my advice. Not sure about an exhaust tube but there are 2 main bellows and a shift cable bellow. There is no real schedule of change out like on a car (such as change tansmission fluid after 50,000 miles).

The best solution I have if you need to get a better idea on what to fix/replace versus preventative maintenance is to take it to a certified dealer and have them inspect the boat. This way you get a real good idea of what needs to be done so you can prioritize the work. The worst thing to do is dig into something that is not broke or does not need replacement only to mess it up so you have to replace/fix even more items.

It gets pretty expensive when you are in that position. Especially after you realize that it was in good servicable condition in the first place.

Good Luck

 

[jstutz101]

Re: general bellows question

FWIW, I have a 1991 Bayliner Capri 2050 that still has the original bellows. I have noticed the water pipe is leaking so I am having all replaced with OEM parts in a couple weeks. I have kept a close eye on the bellow that I can see and they look good, no holes or tears that I can see. I bought the boat two years ago from the original owner and I dont think he used it that much.

 

[cr2k]

Re: general bellows question

First off let's explain what the BELLOWS is. It is the accordion pleated rubber tube about 6 in. in dia. that goes between your outdrive and the transom plate. It is on the OUTSIDE of your boat. This is where the drive shaft, U-Joints and Gimbal bearing are inside of. When this get a hole/leak it will leak water into the boat as well as the U-Joints and Gimbal bearing. Rust is a huge enemy of these items. There is also an exhaust bellows that is below the drive bellows it is not a source of leaking in to the boat is simply carries the exhaust and water form the cooling system to the drive to expel via the prop hub. This item basically helps keep the boat quite during running. If missing the only this it will do is be louder.

To inspect your drive bellows, raise your drive and move side to side inspecting and feeling for any holes, tears or weak spots.

The hoses on the inside are called exhaust couplers (not the drive coupler) but hoses that couple the parts of the exhaust system to the exit through the transom plate.