Exhaust Bellows question

[rp23g7]

Hi everyone, maybe a dumb question here.

2003 Starcraft C-Star 3.0/Mercruiser

I was checking out my boat the other day, general inspection stuff.

I found my exahust bellows had slits in the recessed areas.

I think i read and saw a picture of some a while ago that they do have slits for drainage. Is this right?

I dont remember the what the bellows looked like from my previous boats.

I dont see any danger in water being in there, as water goes through the exhaust anyway and the riser is a good foot above the water line.

Some one correct me if i am incorrect.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Exhaust Bellows question

Are you sure it is the exhaust bellows and not the driveshaft bellows? If so, it should be fine. Heck, I am using the exhaust tube, which is completely open on the end, so a few slits shouldn't hurt. Now if it is your driveshaft bellows, fix 'em now, before you have to spend a ton of money.

 

[rp23g7]

Re: Exhaust Bellows question

Are you sure it is the exhaust bellows and not the driveshaft bellows? If so, it should be fine. Heck, I am using the exhaust tube, which is completely open on the end, so a few slits shouldn't hurt. Now if it is your driveshaft bellows, fix 'em now, before you have to spend a ton of money.

Yeah, its the exhaust bellows, the small lower tube visible when looking up or sideways at the drive.

Trust me, my shift cable bellows had a sudden major leak on my 88 Capri, dryrot issue.

That was my crash course in marine mechanics, other than the drive blowing up the first time we took it out.