hole in bell housing

[mike456]

I removed the outdrive from my 1992 Mercruiser and found that a hole has rotted through the bell housing near the bottom of the exhaust section. I've read a bit about how a hole in the exhaust bellows is not great but is also not going to leave you dead in the water. I assume this would be similar and that the hole must have been there when I had the boat in the water most of last summer. I've got to spend $$ on a bunch of other things and spending another $400 on this part plus the cost of bellows is killing me. Never mind the fact that I've never done a replacement before. I know its not a prefered fix but could I do nothing or patch it with some sort of high strength epoxy? Here is a picture. Thanks<br /> http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/mikenoonan456/hole_inside.jpg <br /> http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/mikenoonan456/hole.jpg

 

[tommays]

Re: hole in bell housing

I cat see it that well BUT you have a BAD corrosion problem eating things up from the look of all the blistered paint<br /><br />If you dont solve whats causeing that there wont be anything left to repiar<br /><br />How old are your zinks ,you got shore power,ect? <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: hole in bell housing

What Tom said & I would look for a new one on ebay....A repair like you are talking about won't last too long with your corrosion issue....<br />I would assume that this is a salt water boat.... the transom shield itself is not far behind <br />Sometimes yopu can get them on ebay pretty cheap, used....<br />From your year I would think you have genII.....JK

 

[mike456]

Re: hole in bell housing

the zink near the prop was missing when I bought the boat mid-last summer and I did replace it. I don't know how long it may have been missing. I don't know how old the one under the transom is but I power washed it last year. I will replace it this year. I do have shore power.

 

[Don S]

Re: hole in bell housing

You also need to get the correct anodes for your drive, and "Zink" is the wrong stuff.<br />You also may have a Mercathode system on your boat that may or may not be working.<br />There are also continuity/grounding wires on different parts of the drive that should be checked.<br />Here is a couple of service bulletins from Mercruiser about corrosion.<br /> Service Bulletin 02-06 <br /><br /> Service Bulletin 03-02 <br /><br />Also, here is a link to the Merc service manual for your outdrive. Section 7 is all about corrosion.<br />You also should have 5 anodes on your drive, not just 2.<br /><br /> Service Manual #14

 

[mike456]

Re: hole in bell housing

Don, <br />Am I correct that if I have a Mercathod system I would have wires comming out of the Andonic block under the hydraulic manifold near bottom of transom? Mine has no wires. I will convert everything to Aluminum, get the ones I'm missing and confrim that I have all connectivity wires. As always, thanks for your valued advice.