bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

[skysurfer2010]

I just noticed one of my bellows is in horrible condition. Since I'm just learning how to work on my boat and how to do all the maintenance myself, I'm clueless how long it's been in this shape. I bought it last year from the previous owner (who had receipts for every year of winterizations and spring tune ups).

I downloaded the owners manuals. Am I safe to assume this is an exhaust bellow? I plan on removing my outdrive this week. What kind of damage can I expect from using my boat with that bellow in that condition? I ran it all last season without any indications anything was wrong. How difficult is it to replace? Drive is a Volvo SX.

The boat is 13 years old. I'm pretty sure it never had any bellows replaced. I'm assuming they're in need. I couldn't tell if any of the others are in bad shape, but I'm sure I'll see once the outdrive is off. Should I replace the others as well (as much as I don't want to, I'm assuming I already know the answer to this question). How difficult are they to do?

Here is a picture of the bellow. The view is from the ground looking up. I'm assuming it's an exhaust bellow since there isn't anything inside of it.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

I feel pretty stupid for a few reasons...

#1- Search function works great. I should have used it! Sorry about that. (I wasn't sure initially if this was the exhaust bellow... which was dumb)

#2- This might be normal from what I've read? That might make sense since all the holes are pretty much in the same spot and the same size. Is this true?

At least I now know no damage is done. So now I'm just curious as to if this is normal? Maybe my bellows aren't in as bad of condition as I thought? Opinions?

Sorry again for the newb questions. The more I work on this and tear it apart the more dumb questions I'll have I'm sure. I'll apologize in advance.

 

[gofastcrazy]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

oh i got you beat on the dumb question of the year..... so i would not worrie. but these guys are great they might pick on you a bit ,but its a small price to pay for the info.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

Now keep in mind I personally have only repaired OMC and Mercruser stuff.
But looks like they are factory slices. positioned on the under side and you are in the fully extended position for water to escape. Just a guess buy when its lowered does it seal up effective to allow exaust flow out thru the prop?
If indeed it is an effective seal then no damage should be expected.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

From what I read even if the exhaust has gaping holes nothing is going to be harmed. But yes, when my drive is in the down positions they do seal up pretty well and exhaust does come out the prop area.

I'm leaning towards replacing the u-join bellow. I plan on taking the drive off this week and from what I've read the Volvo seems to be a bit easier than what you Merc guys have to go through!

Funny... when I was boat shopping I wanted a Merc. Ended up with the Volvo and have been very happy that I did. So far the impeller install is a breeze and the bellows seem like they're much easier to do than a Merc as well!

 

[gofastcrazy]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

merc will make you curse your mother ... i had to walk away fron mine three times cause i was mad.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

It seems like Mercs are everywhere! I don't even have a local Volvo guy around here. I like to learn how to do my own maintenance so I'm pretty happy I unintentionally ended up with my Volvo!

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

merc will make you curse your mother ..

yea agreed. But cursing dear ol Mom. gets negitive attention from Pop
Just like any thing else man made, it all fails eventually one way or another

Remember somtimes you have to be patient with dear old Mom. her combat boots hurt lol

 

[cr2k]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

You don't even need that bellows. It is the exhaust and those holes are supposed to be there. They are to drain the water when you pull her out of the water and raise the drive which would hold the water without the holes.

The purpose of that bellows is to force the exhaust out through the prop hub and make everything quieter. Nothing more.

The only dumb questions are the ones you should have asked before you really needed the answers.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

Thanks, it looks like that bellow has the holes intentionally. I'm pulling the outdrive off today or tomorrow. Depending on how the u-join bellow looks, I might end up replacing that one. Who knows if the previous owner ever replaced it.

 

[TRONMAN2000]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

I too ended up with a Volvo setup unintentionally and I am extremely happy that I did! I now see how difficult Mercs can be.You will find that the Volvo SX drive is easy to work on and should last many years with proper maintenance. It would be wise to go ahead and replace the U-joint bellow as soon as possible just to know that it is new.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: bad bellow- what kind of damage can i expect?

When I got my high technology OMC 460 King Cobra powered FourWinns Liberator from my brother a few years ago, I decided to inspect the bellows before I ran it......

When I looked I noticed that the exhaust bellows was MISSING. (I thought it fell off!!)

So, I ordered a transom service kit that included both rubber bellows, gimbal bearing etc.....

The new exhaust bellows looked exactly like yours. Also I noticed that there was a plastic (screen) cover over the hole in the drive where the exhaust bellows would connect.

When my brother bought the boat new (1987 model), it came with thru-hull exhaust....He then had a Y-pipe and Capts Call system installed about 3 years later in 1990 or so..........

I bought the boat in 2004 or there-abouts....

It ran from about 1990 to 2004 or or so with NO exhaust bellows until I ripped all that OMC "stuff" out!!

When I asked him about the exhaust bellows being missing, he said, "What's an exhaust bellows?"



Cheers,


Rick