Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

[Glock-9]

I am somewhat new to boating so I apologize up front if I sound like a noob***

When i winterized my boat last season I noticed that rv antifreeze was not only coming out of the exhaust above the prop but also out the bellows. I didnt "study it" at that time because I figured id wait until spring.

Ive done some searching and ive read conflicting things. Ive read that bellows are intended to leak to release any trapped water. Ive also read along those lines that I shouldnt have to replace them until I have a loss of power or a really loud exhaust drone. True or false?

Ive also read that if youre going to replace the bellows its better to replace it with an "exhaust tube" instead. Is this possible on a DPS-A and how would I got about doing that?

I really dont understand what the bellows accomplish? It sounds like they try to keep water around the u-joint and steering but I dont get it.

I am mechanically sound and can replace/fix just about anything as long as im taking a cautious approach. Any help/advice/tips are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

(2008 Azure 240, Volvo 8.1 Gi, Penta DPS-A)

 

[Don S]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Ive done some searching and ive read conflicting things. Ive read that bellows are intended to leak to release any trapped water.

Just goes to prove you can find anything you want on the internet, but don't expect it to be true.
Those leaks let water in, not out :facepalm:

No, bellows are not supposed to leak, even a little bit. When they do, you get water in the gimbal bearing, ujoints and into the drive as well. It also gets real expensive when you have to replace the rusty parts.

I really dont understand what the bellows accomplish? It sounds like they try to keep water around the u-joint and steering but I dont get it.

The ujoint bellows keeps water out of the ujoints, not in it.

Ive also read that if youre going to replace the bellows its better to replace it with an "exhaust tube" instead.

Trying to use Mercruiser information on your Volvo huh????

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

No, bellows are not supposed to leak, even a little bit. When they do, you get water in the gimbal bearing, ujoints and into the drive as well. It also gets real expensive when you have to replace the rusty parts.

Thank you for the reply. I will buy the bellows and replace them before taking the boat out this year.

Now...is this a straightforward job or is it complicated? I assume i can trim it up, support the outdrive and turn it in either direction to get at each bellow. Is that assumption accurate or do I have to remove the props and everything in between?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Don I think he's referring to the exhaust bellows that he read about, not u-joint bellows.

Glock if you are referring to the bottom bellows, it is the exhaust bellows and yes it does have some small holes in it to drain water from it. After winterization with rv antifreeze, you will see some come out of here yes. Above the exhaust bellows is the u-joint bellows, which should always be completely water tight.

U-joint bellows : houses u-joints and protects u-joints, gimbal bearing, engine coupler from water. It is very important this remains dry, and that you check every year that it is by removing the drive.

Exhaust bellows: channels exhaust gas and water from engine through the drive and out the back. Not really necessary, but nice to have as it does muffle noise. Exhaust tubes are a Merc thing.

Go to the stickies here and read number 17. It is instructions on how to pull the drive. Once pulled, you can replace bellows if need be. However, remember that what you are experiencing sounds normal.

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Thank you all. I will check to see if it is both or just one. Ill keep my fingers crossed that everything is ok

 

[Don S]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Go to the stickies here and read number 17. It is instructions on how to pull the drive. Once pulled, you can replace bellows if need be. However, remember that what you are experiencing sounds normal.

That is not the instructions for his drive. He has a DPS-A. Just came out in 06. Those instructions are for the 1994-2005 SX and DPS drives.

The bellows are also different, and I have never changed either so not up on how to do them.

To the OP:
I would strongly suggest you get the OEM service manual and study it before you get into fixing things.

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

To the OP:
I would strongly suggest you get the OEM service manual and study it before you get into fixing things.

Don,
I read through my owners manuals and there was no instruction on replacing bellows. It had a lot of information (replacing anode, oil, checking props, etc.) just nothing on replacing bellows.

Do you have a link to any instructions on this?

On a side note: It is my impression from the manuals that youre just supposed to take the boat to a shop for everything. Since ive owned this boat people assume im a millionaire...including the shop. When I installed my fishfinder the shop wanted $450 for labor alone. I installed it myself in 2 hours with no experience. You would think that all of the boat manufacturers would make maintenance data and such readily available to further stimulate sales instead of stimulating overpriced boat shops. I understand shop rates are high but when I was a diesel mechanic working at the International dealership our rates werent anywhere in that ballpark and we were working on a lot more mechanically driven machines.... {off soapbox}

Thanks to iboats i am keeping my sanity.

 

[Don S]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

I read through my owners manuals and there was no instruction on replacing bellows. It had a lot of information (replacing anode, oil, checking props, etc.) just nothing on replacing bellows.

That is why I said a service manual, not an owners manual.

On a side note: It is my impression from the manuals that youre just supposed to take the boat to a shop for everything.

It's an owners manual you are reading, what do you expect it to say?

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Pardon me, I guess i do not have the service manual. I simply read all of the materials that came with the boat. Do you have a suggestion on where to get one?

Oh and the comments on "taking it to the shop" arent just my impression from the manuals, it an impression overall. Several websites, phone calls to part shops, etc. The shops ive gone too are only good if you need to buy a wakeboard rack...

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

That is not the instructions for his drive. He has a DPS-A. Just came out in 06. Those instructions are for the 1994-2005 SX and DPS drives.

The bellows are also different, and I have never changed either so not up on how to do them.

To the OP:
I would strongly suggest you get the OEM service manual and study it before you get into fixing things.

I have an SX-A drive, so his is the same as mine, which is basically the same as the sx drive removal minus a couple small differences.

OP, here's your service manual. Everything you could care to know about your drive. Shops around here are just like yours so I had to take the liberty of being my own mechanic also.

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Im going through the manual now. Thank you too.

When you replaced your bellows did you remove the stern drive and all the parts behind it or did you figure out a way to do it without removal? It looks like a hellish job.... From what im guessing it looks like to have to remove everything so you can push off the bellow from inside the pivot housing...

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

The drive must be removed. Its a 15 minute job, if that. After that you can replace the bellows without removing the pivot housing or gimbal ring. I've done it both ways and found that it's faster to just leave that stuff attached and work around it. Are you sure you even need to replace the bellows?

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

The drive must be removed. Its a 15 minute job, if that. After that you can replace the bellows without removing the pivot housing or gimbal ring. I've done it both ways and found that it's faster to just leave that stuff attached and work around it. Are you sure you even need to replace the bellows?

No im not sure yet. Im hoping for the best but preparing for the worst if you know what I mean.

So ive read the materials and it looks like I can remove the drive without any special tools (I made my own inner prop nut removal tool so I wont need that) so ill take your advice and work around the pivot housing and gimbal ring since it appears you need a couple volvo tools to do this.

Ill know this weekend if they need to be replaced. If its the exhaust bellow I may just ignore it for now since it isnt critical, but obviously if its the other ill end up doing both.

Couple more questions:

Did you have to buy a stern drive dolly or did you make something, or is it light enough to muscle off and on??

Is there anything else that should be done while the drive is off?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

I've done it myself without a drive stand, but I plan on making one before this fall's servicing. By that I mean, it's doable but not a whole lot of fun. It's heavy yes, but I find the extreme top-heaviness to be the most awkward part.

While you have it off, you'll be able to tell right away if your u-joint bellows is in good shape or not. You don't want any water or drive lube in there. I'm betting you have non-serviceable u-joints and gimbal bearing so as long as they turn smoothly with no slack, there's no maintenance requirements there. You'll want to check the engine alignment (need an alignment tool which can be found on amazon for about $25 last time I checked) and grease the shaft splines before putting the drive back on.

 

[Don S]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

Have a look at the stickies in this forum (first couple of threads), there is all kinds of information you can use.

Drive stands, alignment info, and on and on. One section completely for Volvo information.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?

1500 lb. Capacity ATV/Motorcycle Lift at Harbor Freight. $99.99 and add a couple pieces of wood and your good to go. Beats trying to make one.
If you look on E-Bay or Harbor Freights coupons you might find a 50% coupon.I paid $49.00 for mine.

 

[Glock-9]

Re: Faulty bellows? Penta DPS-A, What to look for?



Like this I assume? I googled it and this popped up. This looks like it will do the job and not only that my buddy already told me he is buying the same jack to work on his motorcycles.

Thank you to everyone again for the support.