04 suntracker regency i/o question, leaking shift cable bellows

[Yeasty McFlaps]

Hey Guys, great forum, been lurking for awhile.. I have recently bought an 04 suntracker regency xp3 tritoon with a mercruiser 4.3, the shift cable bellows leak. I want to continue using the boat this summer, and have slowed down the leak with zip ties around the good part of the bellows, close to where the cable enters the hull. Can water enter the stern drive through the torn part of the bellows where the cable enters the drive? also is this an easy job to change this bellows? Thanks for any responses

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 04 suntracker regency i/o question, leaking shift cable bellows

Welcome to iBoats . . .

I would keep a close eye on the shift bellows and the leak, as chances are that the cable ties will give out over time.

Changing bellows is about a 7 on a 10 scale 1 being the easiest. You will need some special tools, etc.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: 04 suntracker regency i/o question, leaking shift cable bellows

Hey Guys, great forum, been lurking for awhile.. I have recently bought an 04 suntracker regency xp3 tritoon with a mercruiser 4.3, the shift cable bellows leak. I want to continue using the boat this summer, and have slowed down the leak with zip ties around the good part of the bellows, close to where the cable enters the hull. Can water enter the stern drive through the torn part of the bellows where the cable enters the drive? also is this an easy job to change this bellows? Thanks for any responses

No.

 

[DaveG55]

Re: 04 suntracker regency i/o question, leaking shift cable bellows

No, water will not get in the sterndrive. Water can and will get into the boat and, worse, the transom. Not all transoms are sealed very well and water intrusion there can cause severe and very expensive to repair problems like a rotted transom.
Can the average person replace the bellows? Yes, they can but it requires several specialized tools to do. Many of those tools can be fabricated if you have the time, materials and inginuity. I'm a pretty good, long time DIY'er and when my boat comes out of the water this year I'm taking it to have all that done. When I looked into it I found I would have aabout the same money into the tools as labor will cost and decided to let a professional do the work.
When you go to repalce the bellows also plan on replacing the the lower shift cable, the gimbal bearing and the trim limit switch and trim sensor as well. All those things will require more specialized tools as well.
Also, while everythings apart it's a good idea to replace the impeller and change the gear oil in the lower unit.