Replace exhaust bellows?

[fossildave]

I have a 1990 Bayliner - 3.0 Alpha One I/O stern drive. My exhaust bellows has basically rotted away. The other bellows are intact and in good shape. I have had this boat in the water for two summers and as far as I know this has not caused any major problems. Am considering having this bellows replaced and my question is: Is this really important? Can a bad or missing exhaust bellows cause engine damage? Is it worth spending $500 or so to have this done? Thanks ahead of time....FosDave

 

[mkast]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

If you have the OLD bellows... they were replaced by the hard plastic one's that only clamp on the transom side. Takes two minutes to replace, even if you never did it before. Check out any online parts place to see what the new one's look like.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

waiiiiiit<br /> sometimes the two bellows cant be interchanged.<br /> slow down a bit<br /> if the drive bellows has not been changed in 3 years its due as well. 500 now can save 1500 later. if the drive bellows fails it can cause very expensive repairs up to and including sinking your boat. but no it wont hurt anything to run with the ex bellows bad but I dont reccomend it due to the possibility of carbon monoxide poisioning of the rear occupants, kinda like a station wagon or a van going down the road with the rear glass open. the lower air poressure tends to draw the ex gasses back into the vehicle.<br />on a plane odds are good that ex gas will be airborne at the transom, not safe for human consumption. open the wallet and fix it and be happy

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

If that bellows is in that bad of shape compared to the others, you might have a weak water pump, and/or a part of the flapper valve broke off and is lodged in the drive. It's proabaly a symptom ... not the problem. You need to check that out before you cook the motor.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

If I have Any 1 Bellows in Bad Shape,+ Going to Pay somebody to Fix it,............<br /><br />I'd have All of the Bellows,+ Rubber Parts,.. Including the Lower Shift Cable,......... <br />Replaced All at the Same Time,..........<br /><br />In other words,.... If you're going to have the Gimbel Assembley opened up to replace 1 Part,........<br />Replace All the Throw Away Parts at the Same Time............ <br /><br />There's Alot of Busted Knuckles in that Job,..... Give your Tech a Break,...........

 

[fossildave]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

Thanks for the help guys!!! If I do replace the exhaust bellows I would surely replace other two as well. What is reasonable cost to have this work done including parts & labor?

 

[MRS]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

Tell you what if you had ever changed them your self you would know why they charge so much. I did once Changed them all got it done the marine shop did not have time to do for me so I bought every thinking cant be that bad. If the owner there had not gave me some tips I know I would have messed up. Next time I went back in he asked me if it all worked for me I said yes and he said now do you know why the labor is more than the parts I said yes Sir and and still call he Sir..

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

if nothing breaks it takes me about 3 hours to do the average bellows/shift cable on an alpha. <br /> if something does all bets are off <br /> saltwater is great

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Replace exhaust bellows?

Here's at least one advantage of the 'dreaded' Cobra!