effects of torn/separated bellows

[20181]

i replaced the water pump impeller this weekend and noticed the bellow is torn and separated, just wondering if it is harmful to anything to run it that way? this is on a 1990 mercruiser out drive. Thanks

 

[Jcris]

If the bellows are torn you're going to take on water. You've got to fix that before you put it back in the water.

 

[alldodge]

i replaced the water pump impeller this weekend and noticed the bellow is torn and separated, just wondering if it is harmful to anything to run it that way? this is on a 1990 mercruiser out drive. Thanks

Depends on which bellows.
If its the bottom exhaust (about 2.5 diameter) then no issue
If its the one in the middle which looks like a small funnel, then yes, water will slowly rust everything up
If its the large one on top, then your going to ruin the U joints and your going to sink, so where your life jacket

 

[20181]

thanks for all the replies i really appreciate them. is it possible to replace the exhaust bellows without removing the outdrive and if so does anyone have a video of the process? thanks again.

 

[alldodge]

Three things
1) You can replace it by removing the drive, then remove and replace the boot. Need a long thin screw driver and some boot adhesive. Look at the top of this section in the "Adults Only" section for how to's

2) Since its the exhaust you can just leave it alone and it won't hurt anything. Can also install a tube and not a full tube. This only increases a bit of exhaust noise

3) Since the exhaust boot is this bad, my guess is its a matter of time before the others tear

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

You should replace all the bellows and related parts. If one is cracked, most likely the others are or about to crack. There are complete kits available if we knew what Mercruiser you have.

Need instructions to replace the parts, find your manual here - http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html#

 

[Bondo]

Welcome aboard.

You should replace all the bellows and related parts. If one is cracked, most likely the others are or about to crack. There are complete kits available if we knew what Mercruiser you have.

Need instructions to replace the parts, find your manual here - http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html#

Ayuh,...... What he said,..... ^^^ If a bellows is cracked, the rest are well past their lifetimes too,......

 

[JoLin]

I'm with the "time to replace them all" group. It's a pain if you haven't ever done it before, but I managed it with 2 drives last year. Read up on the process and a few special tools you'll want to have on hand. Mercruiser Power Tune lubricant spray in worth its weight in gold when you get to the water intake hose. The stuff's amazing.

PS- the PO of my boat replaced both exhaust bellows with tubes at some point, and that makes things easier.

My .02

 

[20181]

thanks for all the great info

 

[fishrdan]

I replaced the exhaust bellow without removing the drive, huge pain in the back side, but I was going fishing the next day and no time for all the bellows. Youtube it, I used zip ties around the aft portion of the bellows, couple more ties for handles to pull on, then a couple straps to pull the bellows into position, son helped pull the bellows into position as I tightened the clamp.

I let the bellows adhesive dry for 1/2 hour, then wet down the adhesive with paint thinner, slow drying solvent so the adhesive didn't stick until it's in position. It's the first time I tried paint thinner, and it worked GREAT!

That said, as the others have stated, all my bellows need to be replaced.....

 

[Jcris]

good Job!
how was the fishing?