can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

[Mike_B]

I had a small leak coming from the bell housing area this season. I'm gonna change out some bellows now that I've got the boat home but the area it looked like it was coming from is under the block-off plate for the exhaust bellows. Is there any maintenance I should look into doing on this plate while I've got my drive off? Have they been known to leak?

 

[Jerico]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

When I bought my boat the shift cable bellows had a small tear causing a leak that ran down inside. I'm far but the best expert here, but would recommend starting by checking all of the bellows for cracks. Mine was a really small slit that was hard to find, until I found it and made it worse.

 

[Mike_B]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

You're right on about the shift bellows...I checked and there was a little water in there. I want to be sure there isn't something else too. I spent too much time this past season worrying about the trickle in my engine compartment and I dont want to overlook anything.

 

[Jerico]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

Like I said, I'm not the best on here by far, but your description sounded pretty close to what I ran into.

I went ahead and picked up a kit that had the gimbal, exhaust and shift bellows, and also had the gimbal bearing and all of the seals. When changing them all out I discovered the gimbal bellows was pretty worn and probably would have failed soon.

Of the 3 bellows the exhaust was a mother to get back on. With the sealer/glue the manual recommended it wouldn't stay on. The advice I got from here, don't use the bellows glue. I put it together without the glue. It held first try and did fine all summer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

but the area it looked like it was coming from is under the block-off plate for the exhaust bellows.

Ayuh,......

Are you running a Thru-hull exhaust set up,..??....
Rather than the stock Thru-prop set up......

 

[Mike_B]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

Yeah Thru-hull exhaust Don.

Of the 3 bellows the exhaust was a mother to get back on. With the sealer/glue the manual recommended it wouldn't stay on. The advice I got from here, don't use the bellows glue. I put it together without the glue. It held first try and did fine all summer.

I guess I'm fortunate to have through-hull exhaust and dont need to worry about my exhaust bellows. I've heard they can be quite a pain.

 

[Mike_B]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

Heh sorry Bond-o, I thought it was Don that replied... I swear it's always one of you guys.

 

[imported_TheMan]

Re: can my exhaust bellow block-off plate leak?

A little hot soapy water makes the exhaust bellows a breeze actually...