Exhaust bellow keeps slipping off

F

FuzzDaddy

Member
Jul 8, 2020
155
Boat Info
2002 Sea Ray 230 Signature
Engines
5.7 Mercruiser
Hello everyone,

I have a bravo 3 Mercruiser. I have installed a new exhaust bellow about 2 months ago. I have the bellow that clamps on both ends. It keeps slipping off the gimbal end. Today I bought the exhaust tube that only clamps on the gimbal end, and when the drive is all the way down it mates with the outdrive.
Well that is not the case here because the tube is about 1” short before if comes in contact with the outdrive and about 2-3” short to mate complete seal. I’m not sure what tube I should use. I have small hands so I can install either. If I go back to the one with clamps on both ends should I use bellows glue or black rtv to keep it from slipping? Here is a picture of the exhaust tube being short. Any thoughts? I’m hoping to fix this right away because my Marina put the boat on stands for me to work on.
Thank you for your time
 

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Maybe its the way I'm looking at it, but did you clamp it on the transom side?
 
The picture rotated when I posted it. It is clamped on the gimbal end. It’s short and doesn’t reach the outdrive when all the way down. Noise is not really an issue. I just want to do it the correct way.
 
hmmm - I don't remember seeing anything but 1 size.

Do you have a picture of where the cylinders are when all the way in?
 
I thought it was weird also. I’ll have to get a better pic when I go back to the lake tomorrow.
 
I was thinking of cleaning the gimbal and outdrive end where the clamps go with a wire brush and acetone. Then I was going to use the accordion style bellow that clamps on both ends. I was thinking once cleaned using bellow adhesive or black rtv/right stuff sealant and only clamping the gimbal end and let cure for a day. Then go back the next day and attach the outdrive side. Thoughts?
 
From the brief explanation - it seems odd that the below came off in the first place, but I'm no expert. Now it appears the drive doesn't go down enough, which makes me wonder if the drive is extending too far out for some reason. The celery sticks are designed to work either way but in your case are they positioned to keep the drive lower or higher?

I gave up on trying the accordian and have always used the tube.

upload_2023-7-10_20-29-12.png
 
boatrboy said:
From the brief explanation - it seems odd that the below came off in the first place, but I'm no expert. Now it appears the drive doesn't go down enough, which makes me wonder if the drive is extending too far out for some reason. The celery sticks are designed to work either way but in your case are they positioned to keep the drive lower or higher?

I gave up on trying the accordian and have always used the tube.

View attachment 147357
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This is interesting, and could be why the exhaust tube is short……. I don’t have the boat local to check. I’ll drive to it tomorrow
 
They're made like that so they don't slip off the back they just use them short now
 
Hi everyone, Yesterday I was able to get to the marina and get some work done on the exhaust bellow. I bought a new exhaust bellow accordion style with the clamps on each end. I sanded off the old glue and gunk on the shaft tube of the transom and outdrive that the bellow clamps go on. This time I installed the new exhaust bellow without any adhesive. I went back this evening to check if it slid off and it was perfect! Clamped tight on both ends with the outdrive all the way in the down extended position I left it in. So here is my question now. When I sanded and cleaned the shaft tubes on the transom and outdrive I sanded and cleaned it to bare aluminum. I’m assuming this is ok because the inside where the water flows is also bare aluminum. I keep my boat dry docked and only use in freshwater. Is this something I need to be concerned about with corrosion? I have attached a picture of the outdrive bare metal but transom is the same. Any thoughts?
Btw, I did re-attach this grounding stainless braded wire strap. The picture shows it removed.
Thank you for taking time out of your day for your help! I hope everyone enjoys their weekend!
 

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Most people use bellows adhesive. Just letting you know
 
I tried bellows adhesive 4 times.
The next day the bellow was off. I tried it on both sides at the same time, I tried it only on the transom side let it dry overnight, went back the next day to stretch on the outdrive side and it was on the ground. I tried it vise versa and it was on the ground. In this process I bought 2 different brands of bellow adhesive. Everytime I used it I put it on both surfaces. I tried a heavy coat, I tried a normal coat. I tried to glue it on one side with no clamp so it would stay, I tried it everyway possible. The next day the bellow was either on the ground or loose. In this process I went through 3 bellows. I cleaned everything and installed with no adhesive and it’s tighter than ever and still on perfect. I I know it’s crazy but that’s how it worked for me. I was just worried about the bare aluminum because I cleaned it so much I removed the paint
 
I like clean and dry as well. You should have just taken off the old glue not the paint.
 
On Alpha's there were clamped on both ends. They also sold one that was only clamped on the transom side and was loose on the drive side, then they came out with a racing one that was just clamped on the transom and then cut at an angle towards the bottom, this was the best as it kept the exhaust on the water side. I guess what I am saying is I wouldn't worry too much as long as you can keep it on the transom side and leave the drive side loose or cut the drive side shorter and at an angle and be done.
 
Should not need bellows adhesive on the exhaust bellows - just clamp. I would not have sanded it down to bare aluminum, but I don't think it will hurt anything, especially in freshwater and dry stored.
 
I was just curious because everyone says to use adhesive. Never done it. But I learn something here every day. I was told to glue and clamp. But if glue is no necessary then that's great.
 
Bare aluminum will still corrode in fresh water. I'd remove it, repaint and reinstall. I've used Rustoleum Gloss Black - it works well. There's a youtube video on how to get the exhaust tube installed easily using zip ties. It really is easy using this method. No glue necessary since having a water proof seal is not a concern with exhaust fittings on the drive.

 
Excellent news! Since I dry rack my boat will leave it as it is for now. In the fall when I bring the boat home
I will remove the exhaust bellow, prime
And paint the bare aluminum and re-install the bellow. Thanks for everyone advice! Everyone rocks here!!!
 
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