Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

[dccordell]

Just wanted to share a quick picture of the shift cable bellows on my Mercruiser outdrive. Looks like the PO was uninterested in replacing the bellows!

Wouldn't this let a good steady amount of water into the bilge?

Oh, yeah that is the darn trim sensor wire hanging there. Got those on order... should be a fun job.

 

[Don S]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

Depends on how much sillycone is inside the housing and how tight it is on the cable. It's snug, you can tell by the dark marks when you raised the drive and the cable pulled out some (about 2-3 inches). Probably didn't leak too much. Probably wouldn't be noticable if the boat has a working automatic bilge pump.

 

[dccordell]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

Well dang if it works that good then maybe I'll leave it!!

Haha just kidding... still debating on either ordering the whole transom seal kit or just the individual pieces. I notice that many of the "kits" don't come with the water pump hose. Do most folks not replace this with the bellows? Seems like the best time...

I know it's always smart to change the lower shift cable with the bellows, but I slid the existing cable back and forth from the shift plate on the transom and it slides very easily and has no slack, whobble, or anything that seems out of the way and all of the metal parts are in good shape. It is possible (heh) it was replaced just before the boat was parked. If it seems this smooth, am I asking for trouble by not replacing now?

Looks like I turned this one into a questions thread... that always seems to happen! Haha..

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

Depends on how much sillycone is inside the housing and how tight it is on the cable. It's snug, you can tell by the dark marks when you raised the drive and the cable pulled out some (about 2-3 inches). Probably didn't leak too much. Probably wouldn't be noticable if the boat has a working automatic bilge pump.

Don Might that- wear mark- be from the broken trim sender wire chafing the shift cable? Tho you would think the shift cable would bend and break if it didnt slide. Just an observation

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

I would do the whole transom reseal kit, and I always replace the shift cable as a matter of course!

 

[dccordell]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

I would do the whole transom reseal kit, and I always replace the shift cable as a matter of course!

Looks like that is the best idea... going to start looking for the best prices on the kit + cable. Any other places other than iboats, west marine, ebasicpower, ebay? Is the bellows adhesive absolutely necessary? I know I have seen at least one or two posts where it only caused the bellows to slip off before getting it clamped.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

I have seen at least one or two posts where it only caused the bellows to slip off before getting it clamped.

But there are thousands of times were it worked as described. Dont look for the easy way out where a couple of people did it the wrong way. I'm sure if you look hard enough you will find many people on here and through out the boating world that say "Silicone and marine maintenance go hand and hand"

 

[dccordell]

Re: Wonder how often the bilge pump kicked on...

Definately not looking for the easy way out if I'll regret it! I'll use the adhesive for sure. Looks like I'll be ordering the whole kit, easier to get all the parts that way. Thanks!