Water in the Driveshaft Bellow

[1132MM]

I have a 2004 280 Sundancer with Alpha One gen 2 outdrives. I replaced the port bellows spring '23. The starboard bellows were done the previous year. When I pulled the outdrives in the fall to winterize the boat, water pored out of the port driveshaft bellow. I checked the driveshaft bellow and it seemed fine. I remember having a tough time getting the port outdrive on when I replaced the bellows, and might have torn the bell housing gasket when I finally got the drive on. Is there anyway to check the bellow other than a visual inspection? I had to replace the gimbal bearing and don't want to go through that again. I'm hoping it was just the gasket that might have leaked. I appreciate any input. Thanks

 

[Scott06]

I have a 2004 280 Sundancer with Alpha One gen 2 outdrives. I replaced the port bellows spring '23. The starboard bellows were done the previous year. When I pulled the outdrives in the fall to winterize the boat, water pored out of the port driveshaft bellow. I checked the driveshaft bellow and it seemed fine. I remember having a tough time getting the port outdrive on when I replaced the bellows, and might have torn the bell housing gasket when I finally got the drive on. Is there anyway to check the bellow other than a visual inspection? I had to replace the gimbal bearing and don't want to go through that again. I'm hoping it was just the gasket that might have leaked. I appreciate any input. Thanks

I think if the big ring gasket is not properly seated in there it can leak, also the shift shaft swivel seal can contribute.

did you get high water in the bilge? eventually it can get high enough to put water in bellows for the inside.

I would look at those bellows, my originals were chaffed by gimbal ring on sides as they got stiffer with age. This could result in cracks at peak of ridges that might be hard to see.

When they were replaced were OEM bellows used? Some of the aftermarket stuff doesn't last as long.

 

[Lazy Daze]

If you have water, that's pretty much your "check" There's no way to pressure test it, if that's what you were after.

 

[1132MM]

I think if the big ring gasket is not properly seated in there it can leak, also the shift shaft swivel seal can contribute.

did you get high water in the bilge? eventually it can get high enough to put water in bellows for the inside.

I would look at those bellows, my originals were chaffed by gimbal ring on sides as they got stiffer with age. This could result in cracks at peak of ridges that might be hard to see.

When they were replaced were OEM bellows used? Some of the aftermarket stuff doesn't last as long.

Sorry for the delayed response. Yes I used Mercury parts from a distributor. Never had a lot of water in the bilge but I will check and make sure the ring gasket is properly seated. That could have been it when I pulled the drive right after I put it on because I thought the shift was off on the bottoms of the gimbal ring. So I pulled the out drive back an inch to check and that might have unseated the gasket. Thanks for your reply!

 

[1132MM]

If you have water, that's pretty much your "check" There's no way to pressure test it, if that's what you were after.

Thanks. I didn’t thinks so but always good to ask.

 

[Scott215]

You probably just popped it loose on accident

 

[Scott06]

Sorry for the delayed response. Yes I used Mercury parts from a distributor. Never had a lot of water in the bilge but I will check and make sure the ring gasket is properly seated. That could have been it when I pulled the drive right after I put it on because I thought the shift was off on the bottoms of the gimbal ring. So I pulled the out drive back an inch to check and that might have unseated the gasket. Thanks for your reply!

If you dint glue it in place it will not stay in position. Glue it with bellows adhesive or other weather strip adhesive or contact cement

 

[Scott215]

Glue is very important on that