SX drive water in bellows

[djnordeen]

Good Morning,
Winterizing the boat I found water in the bellows. Not much, bearing seems ok when I put fresh grease into it. The bolts attaching the outdrive were not tight on the port side. Missing the O-ring on the water inlet. Could not find a leak in the bellows, no adhesive on the back end of the bellows.
Question, can water enter the bellows because the nuts were not tightened?

 

[cptbill]

Are you sure the water (or maybe condensation) didn't enter from the engine side? And yes if I remember correctly the upper bellows on the drive shaft is just a compression seal so It's possible

 

[djnordeen]

Are you sure the water (or maybe condensation) didn't enter from the engine side? And yes if I remember correctly the upper bellows on the drive shaft is just a compression seal so It's possible

Did not enter from engine side. Too much grease. When filling grease into the gimble bearing only a couple drops of water came out.

 

[bruceb58]

Out of curiosity, how old are your bellows?

I make sure I smear some grease on the compression side of the bellows.

 

[djnordeen]

Out of curiosity, how old are your bellows?

I make sure I smear some grease on the compression side of the bellows.

Only owned the boat 1 year. Retry sure that because the case was not tight was my cause for the leak.