Water coming out the Bellows

[Nuhget]

Just summarized the boat today. Volvo 4.3 GLP, SX-A outdrive.

Put the muffs on and went to start her up. When running, I noticed water squirting out the back, and front of the bellows, near the clamps.

Does this mean the bellows is bad? Or is this normal?

TIA

Here is a video of it, sorry for the poor quality.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

Did you pull the outdrive? What is the condition of the water hose, passage and oring in the pivot housing?

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

Maybe the clamp is loose,raise the drive and check it,look all the bellows over real good. Appears to be the exhaust bellows,it wont bother much but if that one is bad the rest are probably close behind.
Grub

 

[Nuhget]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

Did you pull the outdrive? What is the condition of the water hose, passage and oring in the pivot housing?

Have not pulled the outdrive off. Dealer did the winterize. All the hoses I can see look to be in good shape.

 

[Nuhget]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

Maybe the clamp is loose,raise the drive and check it,look all the bellows over real good. Appears to be the exhaust bellows,it wont bother much but if that one is bad the rest are probably close behind.
Grub

Tried to tighten the clamp, but they seem good and snug. From what I can see all the rubber looks brand new, and no cracks or holes.

Boat is 2 years old, and they have not been replaced yet.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

I believe some VP exhaust bellows had slits in the bottom of them every couple of inches. check for those. Not sure why it would be centered around the clamps though. I know on my SX (when I had one) I would get water out of the exhaust bellows as well as all the other places. On my DP, it's not even a bellows.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

Those exhaust bellows are designed with small holes cut in them so that water drains out. The exhaust bellows is not designed to be water tight so no you have no problem. It's the u-joint bellows that you want to make sure is secure.

 

[Nuhget]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

Thanks! that is very good news to hear.

I noticed the Volvo manual says to replace the bellows every two years.

The boat is 2 years old, so I suppose I will change them next fall.

The dealer made no mention of needing to change them when they winterized it.

Is the manual just being overly cautious, and I should wait for signs they are getting old?

 

[GilligansIsland]

Re: Water coming out the Bellows

The sign of them getting old is failure, in most cases. IMO, bellows are a relatively cheap part for all it protects. Pulling it will also allow you to get a peek at the U joints as well.