Bellow not fixed (Bravo III)

Discussion in 'Sport Cruisers' started by SkipperBerlin, May 26, 2023.

  1. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    Hi alltogether, during the inspection before let boat in water, I recognized that this bellow (see photo) is not fixed. I could not fix it again, because there is not enough space for my hands and that bellow is to stiff to put it into the nozzle. Is this the exhaust bellow? And how critical is this? Maybe it was in this state in last season. A friend of mine told me, that it doesn´t matter, I can leave it in this state. How do you think about?
    Have you tips to mount the bellow again?

    Brgds Peter
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Shenanigans77

    Shenanigans77 Well-Known Member

    657
    Feb 17, 2020
    Lk St. Clair
    2003 320 Sundancer
    Twin 6.2 Mercruiser Bravo III
    Yes that is the exhaust bellow. My concern for running it like that would be smashing the end closed when lowering the drive. If you turn the drive can you get to hoseclamp on the transom assembly side? Many use this design instead, this is what my boat has.
    IMG_5734.jpeg
     
    SkipperBerlin likes this.
  3. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    Thank you.. I will have a look on my transom. But when I 'm right, it really doesn' t matter when water will come into that bellow? Correct?

    Greets Peter
     
  4. Shenanigans77

    Shenanigans77 Well-Known Member

    657
    Feb 17, 2020
    Lk St. Clair
    2003 320 Sundancer
    Twin 6.2 Mercruiser Bravo III
    Correct, that bellow will always have water in it
     
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  5. Lazy Daze

    Lazy Daze Well-Known Member TECHNICAL Contributor GOLD Sponsor

    Apr 21, 2009
    PA
    Various
    Various
    Generally, no, it's not a problem. However, there are two instances where it "could" be.

    1) The open end gets pinched closed thereby restricting exhaust flow and possibly allowing water to build up inside the tube and, eventually, back feed into the engine.

    2) If the open end of the hose orients itself in such a way that it creates a "scoop" where backing down hard forces water into the engine.

    I believe both scenarios have a small chance of happening... but the chance does exist.
     
  6. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    Hi Dennis,

    thanks for explaining and I also think, these szenarios are not very probably, but really not to exclude. To find a solution for short, I could cut the bellow a little bit shorter and will change the bellow in Winter into that tube mentioned from Shenanigans77. What du yout think?

    Greets Peter
     
  7. scoflaw

    scoflaw Well-Known Member

    Aug 10, 2011
    cape cod mass, cape coral fl
    1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
    2005 Baja 242 islander 496
    502 mpi Bravo 1
    496 mag B1
    Looks like a lot of differed maintenance
     
  8. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    You're right. Last maintanance two years ago. In winter I will give it more time, but technical all is fine for this season.
     
  9. Scott215

    Scott215 Well-Known Member

    622
    Jun 4, 2022
    2006 215 weekender 5.0 mpi
    5.0 mpi alpha 1 gen 2
    I thought on a alpha-1 Gen II you had an option to connect it or not connected is that true
     
  10. JHornsby3

    JHornsby3 Well-Known Member

    Nov 10, 2020
    Sheridan Oregon
    "Steele'y Tutz"
    1992 300 Sundancer
    Twin 4.3L W/Alpha One Gen II
    Curious. Never have I heard that one. But have heard many talk about the back flow into the engine. I wouldn't want to risk it.
     
    Nater Potater likes this.
  11. Lazy Daze

    Lazy Daze Well-Known Member TECHNICAL Contributor GOLD Sponsor

    Apr 21, 2009
    PA
    Various
    Various
    The OP has a B3.
     
  12. Espos4

    Espos4 Well-Known Member

    Jan 1, 2017
    Long Island NY
    2007 240 Sundeck
    350 MAG Bravo 3 W/DTS
    B3 with 300 hp or more use the exhaust tube. It only connects to the transom. Not the drive.
     
    techmitch likes this.
  13. Jimmy Buoy

    Jimmy Buoy Well-Known Member

    Dec 3, 2008
    Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
    2004 Formula 27PC
    Twin Merc 4.3 MPI/Bravo III
    Hey Peter! I've installed both my drives exhaust bellows using simple zip ties. You'll be able to do this and it won't matter if the hose is a little stiff. Check out the YouTube video (about 7.5 minutes in) to see this simple procedure. I was amazed. Hope this helps!

     
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  14. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    Hi Jim, amazing video, thanks for this! Really great Idea with the zip ties. :) I will give it a try, otherwise I will cut the bellow a little bit an change into a tube in next season.

    Greets Peter
     
  15. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    Hi Jim, hi alltogether, the tip with the zip ties worked for me. :) I got it and it was really good to do. In winter I will change it into the tube. Thanks at all and nice weekend.

    Greets Peter
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Jimmy Buoy

    Jimmy Buoy Well-Known Member

    Dec 3, 2008
    Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
    2004 Formula 27PC
    Twin Merc 4.3 MPI/Bravo III
    Great! Glad to be of help. Avidazen!
     
  17. scoflaw

    scoflaw Well-Known Member

    Aug 10, 2011
    cape cod mass, cape coral fl
    1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
    2005 Baja 242 islander 496
    502 mpi Bravo 1
    496 mag B1
    Most people start the season with fresh anodes and outdrive paint. Your stuff looks pretty worn out
     
  18. SkipperBerlin

    SkipperBerlin New Member

    16
    Jan 16, 2020
    Berlin (Germany)
    240 Sundancer
    Mercruiser 5.0 MPI, Bravo Three
    This is my Boat and not your problem and it was not my question at all.
     
  19. Espos4

    Espos4 Well-Known Member

    Jan 1, 2017
    Long Island NY
    2007 240 Sundeck
    350 MAG Bravo 3 W/DTS
  20. JayhawkCurtis

    JayhawkCurtis Well-Known Member SILVER Sponsor

    May 24, 2021
    Armpit of Oklahoma
    2004 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck
    350 Mag Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drive
    Pretty harsh response to someone trying to give you helpful advice. @scoflaw has helped many people on this board, he was just trying to prevent your next post from being: “bravo III is corroding badly, anything I can do to fix it”?
     

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