2nd opinion on shop advice for bellows replacement

[fisher91blue]

Ok, so, my first I/O is a merc 3.0 from the 70's. It is presently at a well established shop for outdrive check up and steering work. In the course of the outdrive check it is discovered the gimbal bearing is bad. I ok the estimate for gimbal replacement. Last night I lose sleep because I don't have any history of this boat and wonder if there is an issue with bellows because they reported finding water in them. The shop reports back quote: "​Bellows are not showing any wear. Just strange water was sitting in the bellows like that. Keep and eye on it."

I follow up with a question about replacing bellows now and if it makes sense to do while outdrive is off for gimbal replacement,the answer: "​Even though your in there and bellows job is not easy. We recommend a bellows job to be done every 10-12 years. That is all three bellows, shift cable, and exhaust tube, and gasket set. The parts are $837.55 plus 3 additional hours labor..."

So, three questions from me:
1) is $837 good estimate for parts required to replace bellows?
2) is advise to "keep an eye" on it sound?
3) is additional labor to replace really 3 more hours when replacing gimbal bearing?

Thanks from an outboard convert.

 

[bspeth]

They (you) need to find out how the water got in there.The only place is from the big rubber oring,the bilge, or the bellows.I did the job myself and spent less than 400 on oem parts.That also included new trim switches.What was the condition of the u joints,if water caused the bearing to fail then they need to be looked at very closely.Unlikely but the grease fitting for the gimbal bearing could be missing or broke.Answers to your questions 1)not in my opinion 2) you would need to pull the drive to keep an eye on it(which is really easy) if it starts making noise it is too late. 3)3 hours for a bellows job is good in my opinion.

 

[stonyloam]

I am with bspth on that, about $400 for parts seems about right. Check it out here for yourself: https://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectModels3.asp?type_id=DRA find your drive and check out the bellhousing and gimbal housing parts.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... I agree,...... The water got in there, somehow,.....

If it was the big o-ring, the Tech oughta seen the issue, 'n he says the bellows is Ok,,....
So,... Maybe,... the PO mighta sunk it, or left the garboard plug in the hull on the wagon, 'n water ran into the bellows from the motor side,..??..??

'n I find 10 years on a bellows set sorta a s t r e t c h,....

Yer MC-1 is abit tougher than an Alpha, so 3 hours don't sound to bad, at all,.....

 

[fisher91blue]

Thanks, I appreciate the good feedback. Boat hasn't seen water in 7 years, I had the busted 120 replaced because wasn't winterized. So maybe water got in through crack in block on exhaust side. I called them back asked to check bellows closer so I don't sink it the first season.

 

[thumpar]

That parts pricing is way high. How much did you get charged for the gimbal bearing? When I had my drive off I had mine replaced by a shop because I don't have the tool. It was $65 for part and labor.

 

[ken51k]

Those prices are way to high." $837 good estimate for parts required to replace bellows?" You can get all the parts, bellows, gimbal bearing, and seals for less than $250. Even if the bellows looked good, being that old I'd replace them. It isn't that hard of a job if you have the proper tools and if your mechanic is a marine mechanic he should have the tools. Might be time to look for a new mechanic, this guy is ripping you off.

 

[fisher91blue]

For gimbal they charged $57 for bearing, gasket set and seal $30, 3 hours labor at $80 per hour.

 

[bspeth]

I would look up Mercruiser Premier service departments in your area on the Merc website and go there instead, or do it yourself. JMO

 

[fisher91blue]

Thanks bspeth, I just looked up the Mercruiser Premier service departments around me and they are one. I have the SELOC manual (which is an awesome guide) so will probably do it myself when time allows. I won't be leaving the boat in the water this season, just in and out so I can keep an eye on the bellows. I don't mind paying a proper labor rate but don't stick me with a huge mark up on parts. Had the same experience with steering cable. They charged me $100 over iboats price for a quick connect kit. http://www.iboats.com/SeaStar-Safe-T.../view_id.40298

 

[bspeth]

I have been told by the more experienced guys around here that SELOC is no substitute for a FSM.The job really is not that bad if you use OEM. When you disassemble the transom it will make sense. A trial fit of all the parts helped me a lot for clamp positioning which is important.Good luck hit us up if you get stuck.Still have time before summer.