Bellows

[Madifonzo]

First off, is there a maintainence interval for them?

Is it a DYI job and should I pay a merc tech? Scale of 1-10, 10 being a master tech where does it fall?

Also have a question about exhaust bellows. There is an option for the accordion style or slip over style. It would seem the slip over style would last longer but are their advantages to one over the other? I have 1 drive with each style.

 

[H2ONUT]

You need some special tools and a LOT of beer. If you are an above average DIY'er, it's still a tough job.

The slip on exhaust boot is the way to go.


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[scoflaw]

OEM bellows last a long time, still using my originals and they look like new. Had to remove 1 side last year for a hinge pin repair and they looked so good I put them back on.

If you take the bell housing off at the hinge pins its a real simple job,no special tools

 

[Henry Boyd]

Typically, you are looking at an average 5 year life span. As we all know average means an equal number last longer, and an equal number last shorter. Bottom line, if a bellows tears the boat sinks. Likewise if the bellows are improperly installed....

Parts are about $90, and a couple hours labor. There is also a specific Mercury adhesive needed. So do you want to buy some special tools, spend the time and gamble on whether you did it right, or spend $ 300 and have someone else do the job and carry the liability? Its a no brainer for me. Yeah, I can do the work. But I'd rather have the multi million dollar dealership carry the liability.

Henry

 

[scoflaw]

If you can change a radiator hose on your car, you can handle this.

What are these special tools you speak of? 1 should not assume special tools are needed until 1 has completed the repair. Fear not.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Read the service manual, you need to make/buy a crimper for the clamp. You also need to use the Merc adhesive to bond the rubber to the metal.

 

[eweise]

I agree Henry. That's why I had the shop at the marina do the work earlier this year.

 

[H2ONUT]

If you can change a radiator hose on your car, you can handle this.

What are these special tools you speak of? 1 should not assume special tools are needed until 1 has completed the repair. Fear not.

It is nothing like changing a radiator hose. That's very misleading...


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[alwhite00]

I revamped my bravo 3 steering pin and did the bellows while i was at it and i actually didn't think it was all that bad. i have done a lot of aufo stuff such as swapping engines, replacing suspensions. and the normal stuff. did a couple frame offs over the years and i would give it about a 4 on the difficulty scale.

 

[Madifonzo]

I have the bellows and adhesive. The merc shop I bought them from said all that I need was smaller 1/4" socket set with several swivels as the angles to get the socket on the clamps are tricky. The kits came with radiator style clamps not crimp clamps.
That being said, based on feedback I will have a pro do it.

i am replacing this is a good measure. Boat is almost 10 years old and I don't think they have ever been done. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[scoflaw]

Can I assume the naysayers have never done this repair? That metal crimp will corrode over time and you'll be better off with a plastic zip tie.

You take off the 2 hingepin bolts, and then it's like changing 2 radiator hoses, nothing more complicated than that. If you have a virgin setup you'll notice that Merc. didn't even use any glue.

 

[ChiefScientist]

Even if a pro does it, it can still leak. It happened to me this year. The dealer changed the bellows, but a month later, there was a noise, boat was pulled, and water in the bellows was found. All parts were destroyed. There were no tears in the bellows and no fault in the casting. There was a discussion between Merc and the dealer, and since the dealer did about 300 bellows job a year with no problems. Bellows and parts were replaced, boat submerged for 30 days, boat pulled and inspected, no water found, and the boat was put back in. Merc covered it (almost per Henry's post).

I have changed bellows myself on my alpha 1, but the B3 is a massive beast. The mechanic has a fixture that bolts on and rolls the drive around. I would say that if you do this yourself, you need the fixture as well as the other tools.

I believe the mechanic told me that Merc does not recommend adhesive anymore. But I requested he use the adhesive and he did.