Recommended Bellows Replacement??

[NoWakey]

Can anyone share with me what the recommended replacement interval on the drive and throttle cable bellows is on a BIII in either hours, or years??
I am sitting here with a 2002 model year 240 that I know has not had them replaced. Last fall we did give them a good look over and don't as yet see much for signs of cracking.
I do know that this can be a boat sinking issue if you have a catastrophic failure so I thought I better look into it little further.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Presentation]

4 to 5 years.

Do it when you are pulling the drive for something else.

When you are servicing the drive that is a good time to change them.

Oh, if you change one, change all 3. The expensive part is the labor. The bellows don’t cost very much so no sense in not doing all 3 at the same time.

 

[Presentation]

About catastrophic – it’s catastrophic if you are not onboard.

If you are onboard, trim all the way down and head back to your marina and pull your boat.

Its catastrophic when you are not around and the bilge pump drains the battery dead.

Um, you do check to make sure your bilge pump is working now and again, right?

 

[NoWakey]

About catastrophic – it’s catastrophic if you are not onboard.

If you are on board, trim all the way down and head back to your marina and pull your boat.

Its catastrophic when you are not around and the bilge pump drains the battery dead.

Um, you do check to make sure your bilge pump is working now and again, right?

Last season our marina personnel found a mid 90's Monterey hanging from the stern cleats in her slip. The drive bellows had let go and what you described above is exactly what happened.
This is what caused me to ask the question.
As for the bilge pump: I am an old pilot and the 240 gets a pre-flight/launch check before every trip out. To include the bilge pump.
Thanks for your comments.

Jim

 

[dpvandy01]

you're due if they are originals. Mine are '01's and I just bought the boat, they are scheduled for replacement this week. It's good piece of mind and it's just the cost of doing business IMO

 

[NorCal Boater]

You can prolong the life of your bellows by always storing your drive in the down position. When stored up, they tend to get a "set" in them and when you lower the drive the bellows can crack. And don't forget the shift cable bellows. That little sucker can let in a lot of water.

 

[tginz]

Is there always the same "wear & tear" factor? I trailer mine and always leave the drive down when it is sitting all week. I'm assuming I can go little longer given that it is not submerged 95% of its life. Oh, and it spends the winter in a heated warehouse about 60.

OOOOORRRRR does the wear occur from the inside out and I'll the same or equal wear to those sitting in the water all season?

Thanks

TGINZ

 

[wish2fish]

What makes this rubber deteriorate so quickly? It is out of the sun I would think it would last longer than 4-5 years! Tires will last 4-5 years out in the sun and sustaining heat while driving. Just wondering.

 

[NoWakey]

Thanks to all for the comments and tips.
I think I am going to keep a close eye on things this season and when the drive is pulled this fall get all the rubber replaced. Proactive always beats reactive.:thumbsup:

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Presentation]

What makes this rubber deteriorate so quickly? It is out of the sun I would think it would last longer than 4-5 years! Tires will last 4-5 years out in the sun and sustaining heat while driving. Just wondering.

It’s the bending of the bellows. That is the primary difference. Oh, they are a lot thinner then car tire rubber also. They need to be thin to flex.

Take the car tires in your above example. Now significantly under inflate them so they are flexing with each rotation. They will wear out much faster.

There are now some bellows that no longer connect on the other side. I am going from memory since I don’t have them. I think it’s the exhaust bellow on some BIII drives. The theory is by having one side free the bellow will bend less.

 

[dpvandy01]

There are now some bellows that no longer connect on the other side. I am going from memory since I don’t have them. I think it’s the exhaust bellow on some BIII drives. The theory is by having one side free the bellow will bend less.

Sea Ray is calling this a hi-performance exhaust and I believe that is what they will be putting on as a replacement this week for mine