Water in U-Joint Bellows

[txarmydude]

I just pulled my outdrive to start some maintenance and found water in my u-joint bellows. However, the bellows are brand new from last year. They appear to be free of holes. Anyone got any ideas what could cause this to happen?

My boat has a 1987 Mercruiser 260 mated to a 1-Drive (pre-alpha). It got a new coupler at the end of last season. When I winterized, the outdrive lube was slightly milky. I figured I needed to have it checked out and I found this issue.

SIDE NOTE - I am replacing the exhaust water shutters and they have part # 99370 on the old ones. However, the only replacement part number I can find is 99370A2. I assume they are interchangeable, but you never know. Does anyone know the difference?

Thanks.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Was there water in there last year when the coupler was replaced? Probably the shift shaft bushings.

'87 would be an Alpha 1, unless someone replaced it with an earlier version.

The shutter numbers look like they have been superceded.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

The drive is a #1 drive. The engine was previously a 1978 Merc 888 (Ford style) but was swapped for the Merc 260.

Thanks for the info on the shutters; I will go ahead and order them!

 

[dubs283]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Probably the shift shaft bushings.

if that were the case the large quad ring in the bell housing would have to be missing or damaged too

was bellows adhesive used on the bellows??

make sure the clamps are tight and squared where the bellows attach, and that the clamp screw is positioned properly on both ends

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Would an outdrive that has a bad seal inside cause water in the u-joint bellows? I was under the impression that this outdrive would fail a pressure test, though I haven't done one yet (gotta go find the pieces to make my own tester).

Suppose it did fail a pressure test, is there a possibility of water in the bellows?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

no it would be oil in that case

 

[whitecrystal1]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

I had water in the gimble bellows of my 1997 Regal, Alpha 1 Gen 2 and my frist through was the bellows must have a hole in it so I replaced them only to not find any hole at all. My boat was leaking water in the swim ladder bolts abd around the rear transom rub rail. It was getting enough water in it that it was somehow getting in the bellows when I would plain the boat. It ruined the gimble bearing but not the U-joint bearings.

Does your boat leak water in the bildge?

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

No I havent seen any water inside the hull when I'm running it. There was some oil mixed with the water in the bellows. I am wondering if the outdrive is somehow pumping water up in there. The bellows are good, so I'm stumped...

 

[andrewddrennon]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Is it mostly water or a milky oil water mix, possible bad yolk seal?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

well the seal could be bad BUT unless the contents of the drive match the contents of the bellows EXACTLY (in which case you probably need a new drive) then that is not the source of the water

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

The bellows had the milky oil in it, but also water. There was no straight water in the drive when I drained it. So if there is no water in the hull, and the bellows are good, maybe a bad seal around the 6 outdrive bolts???

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

What would happen if the exhaust bellows "came undone" from the bellhousing?

Are there any special tools required to remove the bellhousing?

 

[whitecrystal1]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Question: what would happen if the exhaust bellows "came undone" from the bellhousing?

I'm pretty sure with the Alpha 1 the boat will sink. That is not an issue with the Alpha 2.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

I started looking at new bellhousings, but I can't see any cracks anywhere on the one I have.

Someone mentioned the upper shift shaft. If the exhaust bellows are not connected properly and they are allowing water up in that area regularly, could the upper shift shaft be leaking around the bushing? There looks to be a rubber seal there, but it doesn't look so hot. Anyone know how to remove it to check it out???

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

What would happen if the exhaust bellows "came undone" from the bellhousing?

absolutely nothing except the exhaust could get a little louder.... I ran my 28'er for several months with no exhaust bellows till I got tired of the noise.

Are there any special tools required to remove the bellhousing?

There is a special tool, it is a 12 point bit for the hinge pins.... many people have managed using an allen but there is substantial risk of stripping.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

I'm pretty sure with the Alpha 1 the boat will sink. That is not an issue with the Alpha 2.

No it won't

I started looking at new bellhousings, but I can't see any cracks anywhere on the one I have.

Someone mentioned the upper shift shaft. If the exhaust bellows are not connected properly and they are allowing water up in that area regularly, could the upper shift shaft be leaking around the bushing? There looks to be a rubber seal there, but it doesn't look so hot. Anyone know how to remove it to check it out???

there is ALWAYS water there.... there is water IN the exaust and when the engine is not running that area is open to the water through the exhaust and prop.... the exhaust bellows is not at all part of this issue. Also if the shift shaft were part of the issue then the rubber seal between the drive and bellhousing would also have to be compromised.

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Also if the shift shaft were part of the issue then the rubber seal between the drive and bellhousing would also have to be compromised.

Why would that be the case? If the shift shaft goes up into the area where the u-joints are housed, and there is always water around the shift shaft, couldn't a bad seal around the upper shift shaft bushing allow water in?

I'm new to this stuff, just trying to understand the mechanics of how it works so I can figure it out. Thanks for the help.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

the shift shaft doesn't go through where the u-joints are. there is a big rubber o-ring between those areas
Do you know the o-ring I'm talking about? it comes in the package with your drive to bellhousing gasket along with a smaller o-ring for the cooling water and if it's a gen 2 kit there will also be a tiny o-ring for the drive oil

 

[dubs283]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

the shift shaft seal and large quad ring were adressed in post #4 of this thread

there was no response about it from the op so apparently they do not know what was being disscussed and didnt know how/what to inspect

its fine if you dont know what oters are referring to, just ask and we will point you in the right direction

at the very least, drian the lube from your drive and pressure test it, replace any bad seal(s) and pressure test again

then carefully inspect the bellows for holes and improper mounting

it is possible the water in the bellows came from the drive but not probable - if so the drive internals would be pretty well shot

 

[txarmydude]

Re: Water in U-Joint Bellows

Thanks for y'alls help guys. At first I thought the shift shaft was a part INSIDE the drive. So I was really trying to envision a scenario that didn't exist. However, yesterday I found a website with a nice tech drawing that showed me otherwise. I'm tracking now. Thanks for y'alls patience; I'm still learning this stuff. Hope I can get that drive tested this weekend. My mechanic is going to show me what he uses to do a pressure test and how to make one.