Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

[stan1954]

I have an old Glastron with Mercruiser 888 freshwater lake boat. At the end of season started running hot, took it out early. was not rubber impeller on outdrive shaft. But what I did notice was a rubber hose inside gimbal that ran from above highest rubber boot to spot on lower unit, that was totally crimped [ no water flow].
My two questions are 1. is this a moulded rubber hose?
2. and can this be replaced by raising outdrive fully?
whitout having to pull pins, and disassemble gimble!
Thanks for any help

 

[jtybt]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

This is a VERY important hose that has to be an EXACT length. Best to get the OEM hose. Too long or too short by even 1/4" or not fully seated can cause your problem...which can easily lead to a fried engine.

In short, that little hose can cost you many thousands of dollars in repairs.

Cut the old one off. You can replace without removing everything.

 

[stan1954]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

Thanks jtybt, I will not fool around. Get the OE hose from Merc, my main concern was my labor, hate to take apart if not needed. Hope clamps are visible, I have long screwdrivers should be all I need. Thanks again.

 

[gene8084]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

Having done this during a full transome kit job (exhaust/drive/shift bellows) I can not imagine replacing in place. Hats off to you if you were able.

Question: when was the last time you replaced your bellows? This may be the time.​

 

[ziggy]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

You can replace without removing everything

how did you do that?
i'm with gene8084. i had mine apart and thought it was no fun to replace even then.

i'll give ya one piece of advise to the op though. however ya accomplish it.
the oem hose is real thick and very stiff. i got the my replacement hose from a mercruiser dealer. it was not molded to fit. just straight hose even. further. it's the same hose that is used for going from inside the boat up to the ft. of the engine. anyways. my suggestion is to really work the end of that hose (gimble housing side). expanding it. making the hole bigger. i used a cone rammed into the hose for a good long time. + kept working it into the hose over time. i didn't think that was enough yet. prior to install, i heated the hose up with a heat gun. worked pliers in the end continuing to expand the hole. i used 2 screw drives to further expand that hole. continuing to heat it. trying to get it pliable. this worked good and the hose did pretty much just slip on durning install.

reason i went to all that trouble was it was my second time for replacing that hose. my first attempt failed as i didn't get the hose onto the gimble housing side all the way. made the hose a shade to long. + i installed the hose on the bellhousing side first. i believe that was per the s/m. i don't often stray from the s/m but if ya put it on the gimble housing side 1st. you'll have better luck routing that hose thru the gimble ring w/o twisting the hose thus pre loading for a kink.

that was my experience with it. still wanna know how to do it w/o removing anything. ya can hardly get a finger back onto the fitting on the gimble housing side. how do you do it jtybt?

 

[stan1954]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

Bellows and shift boot, about three years ago. At that time hose was replaced, my mistake I remember just using 5/8 or 3/4 automotive heater hose. There in lies my problem, after a few seasons tilt up and down a crimp developed stopping water flow. I sure hope it is reachable with drive up, will try in couple of weeks when I go back to Pa.

 

[stan1954]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

The Merc dealer sells this hose in a bag 24" no moulding nothing more than 5/8" heater hose. I was thinking of 5/8" marine fuel hose wire renforced, no kink no way. The dealer could not tell, or would not tell me the correct lengh. Any opinions?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

it's more than just a heater hose. much thicker i think... ya might wanna read this and see if it helps...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=286068

even the proper hose can kink too.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=285506

the hose that i used was the same part number as the hose going from the inside of the gimble housing up to the ft. of the engine. not pre formed...

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

The stock hose is thicker than heater hose ---- my hose on my 888 from the transom inlet to the engine is about 1-1/2 inches in diameter --- not the small hose like on the out-drive.

I always store my out-drive in the full down position --- luck I guess --- no kinks yet.


OFM

 

[racinrc14]

Re: Merc 888 outdrive cooling hose

I just did a full transom job on my '83 898 (essentially the same as 888 from gimbal back). That hose is a huge pain even with the bellhousing and bellows off. I would say, even with Ziggy's pre-expansion, it would be nearly impossible without removing the bellhousing or at least the bellows. Also, cut the hose to exactly 13 inches in length. A heat gun helps, but getting the hose on the gimbal side is a real challenge. Oh, and don't buy the Sierra hinge pin tool, mine stripped with very little torque, get the Merc one. And don't even try removing the hinge pins without heat, trust me, you'll strip the internal hexes and end up drilling them out anyway.