water in U-joint bellows ('89 4.3L Cobra)

[lakelivin]

1989 4.3L Cobra<br /><br />Ok, finally worked up the nerve to pull my outdrive for the first time to replace the transom shift cable. Found water in the U-joint bellows. Thing is, both U-joint and exhaust bellows were both replaced by a shop last August, and the boat has only about 25 hours on it since then. Exhaust bellows was completely dry (I haven't driven the boat in approx. 3 weeks). I've read through my OMC Service Manual & Parts Catalogue, but the level of detail (for things I suspect that don't pertain to this situation) is giving me a headache, and causing as much confusion as answering questions. <br /><br />Question #1: outside of the bellows attachment (or cracks in the bellows itself), is there anything else that might cause water to leak that I should check?<br /><br />Question #2: to remove & check the U-joint bellows, do I only need to remove the pivot housing? If so, are there any other parts (gaskets, o-rings, etc.) I'll need when I replace it? (I already have the gear housing to pivot housing gasket, water passage seal, and two o-rings that came in a gasket kit to mount the drive after replacing the shift cable)<br /><br />Thanks for any feedback. I know this is probably very basic stuff, but I could use reassurance given it's the first time I've pulled the drive.

 

[Lou C]

Re: water in U-joint bellows ('89 4.3L Cobra)

I have not done the bellows replacement, but just had it done on mine because of the same problem. Barnicles in the folds of the bellows made a couple of cuts and a little water got in. But because I am in salt water the mechanic had to replace the gimble bearing, although the u-joints were ok. So since you had water in there, you want to check the gimble bearing and u-joints carefully since if they fail it can damage a lot of other parts. This was why I left the drive pulling to the mechanic, if I found this type of problem, I'd rather have a pro take it from there.

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: water in U-joint bellows ('89 4.3L Cobra)

I had the same thing on mine(87 5.7 cobra), Lake. The bellows looked great but they were full of water. Don suggested checking the the grease tube to the gimbal bearing to make sure it wasn't broke off but mine was ok. Still haven't fixed it, I suspect the lip on the pivot housing or maybe the gasket. I had a #$%& of a time putting the drive back on(Sierra bellows)and may have tore the gasket. I'm just gonna goo it up this time with 3m 5200... That'll fix it!

 

[Lou C]

Re: water in U-joint bellows ('89 4.3L Cobra)

I have heard that the OMC bellows was redesigned to be slightly larger in diameter to make it easier to get the drive back on.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: water in U-joint bellows ('89 4.3L Cobra)

I noticed that the shop didn't put any gasket seal on the 6 transom mounting stud threads. I can see how this might have allowed a slight leak, but if so, would water have likely ended up in the U-joint bellows (again, exhaust bellows was completely dry)?

 

[murphini]

Re: water in U-joint bellows ('89 4.3L Cobra)

I have a similar aged boat, 89 VIP with 5.0 Cobra and was also getting water in, but not sure if it was from the bellows or not. Will be changing the bellows this offseason, and last year during winterization, the shop said the rubber looked good. It's been probably 4-5 years since replaced. <br /><br />On Sunday I got in the engine compartment while it was in the water and found water seeping in from where the swim platform met the hull. Water ended in the bilge. (I had to run the bilge pump a lot--I had another thread on Electornics asking how to hook up an auto float switch.) <br /><br />Back at home I looked at the back of the boat where the swim platform meets the hull and noticed a previous owner had caulked it, but the caulk was old and hard, and maybe some gaps.<br /><br />I got some silicone sealant and re-caulked all around the back where the top fiberglass met the bottom hull of the boat, and caulked around the sides.<br /><br />Went out last night and it seemed to cure the leak. Water in the bilge was minimal. Didn't have to run the bilge pump once. I believe the water in was mostly from swimmers getting on/off boat.<br /><br />May not be the exact answer you were looking for but saw "OMC + 89 + leak" so I thought I'd post a semi-related topic.