Bellows

[waterdawg69]

i took my outdrive out and removed the bellows, is there a way to check for leaks? or how do i know if it is leaking water in? is a 160hp merc pre alpha

 

[natwales]

Re: Bellows

I think if there are no visible signs of water around the u-joint, the gimbal bearing rotates smoothly, and you can't find any cracks in the bellows then its safe to assume their was no leak.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Bellows

which bellows?
to the best of my knowledge. if it's the exhust bellows, a leak is irelivant. (short of louder exhust noise or possible soot deposits on the stern from the leak) if ya went to the trouble to have either the drive or shift bellows in yer hand. it's irrelivant too. replace either, or with new regardless......if it did leak, yer ujoints and gimble brg. will need replacement too. rustys. possible knockin ujoints or howlin gimble brg. + check yer drive fluid. if it leaked, ya could have water in the drive, the ft. seal apperently keeps oil in the drive, but not water out....or ya coulda had water leakin into the boat too. either is open to sea water if breached.........

 

[waterdawg69]

Re: Bellows

i had the u-joint bellows off and was no signs of water at all. but put the bellows back on and was wanting to make sure it would'nt leak. is there a way to tell if water gets in without taking outdrive off again? thanks for the help

 

[95yj]

Re: Bellows

Yea, when the bellows leak, your boat fills up with water and sinks and your gimbal bearing and u-joints make funny noises.

It's pretty hard to see the whole thing while it's attached. It's a good idea to pull the drive every year to regrease everything, check engine alignment and such anyways.