Credit crunch outdrive servicing...

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FirstLady

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Hi all, I know the correct answer to my question is to change the bellows etc every other year, but due to being on a really tight budget this season I was wondering whether I could stretch it another season. The boat is due to come out this week so I will be carrying out a visual and take a view. What I would like to know is how many of you religiously change the bellows every other season or do you stretch it out a bit longer. I know it can be done on a DIY basis, but I do not really fancy doing the job myself. I will undertake most jobs myself, but dont like the thought of outdrive services. Anyones comments or advice very welcome please. It is as much as I can afford to keep the boat in service this season, let alone carry out all of the usual service items!!! The engines are D3 130's with SX single prop outdrives.
 
It's a gamble.

You could leave it another season and they could be fine.

Or, they could develop a split, or a barnacle could rub a hole, the UJ will be running in water, and you could end up with a four-figure repair bill (if it's a big split, water can come streaming in past the gimbal bearing, flood the bilge, and wipe out the starter motor on the way past).

Do you feel lucky? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

(If you don't change them, then at least inspect carefully for any holes / splits, and give them a good grope to compare against new rubber: if they've gone hard, then best to change)
 
I don't change mine till the boat sinks.

Seriously if they're soft and with no (little surface) splits I don't change mine, often going for quite a few years. But on your head be it...........

And if you're good at DIY changing them isn't rocket science.
 
I fitted a new bellows and exhaust tube when I first bought Excalibur II as I dismantled the whole drive unit and stripped it all back to bare metal for a complete repaint.

Have checked the bellows every year visually and by feel, and changed it for the first time this year. It didn't look or feel any different, but I thought I might be pushing my luck a bit after 8 seasons' use. The one that came off was virtually indistinguishable from the new one, apart from being covered in grease internally and a small amount of fouling on the outside. Equally pliable, no sign of any cracks or splits. I would have been quite happy to refit it, had I not already shelled out for the new one. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif It's now in the "emergency spares" box, in case of urgent future need.

Don't know if Volvo bellows are the same/similar material to Mercruiser, but hope this helps.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't know if Volvo bellows are the same/similar material to Mercruiser, but hope this helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, the Volvo ones seem to be more delicate than their tougher Merc equivalents.
 
I've heard this before, so I've had a look around at some. I have to say that, superficially, the ones on my D4 seem just as heavy a gauge of rubber (or whatever is is) as Alpha or Bravo drives. This may not be a sound engineering analysis, but there can't be too much in it.
 
Thanks everyone for the responses, I think this year if they look and feel okay I will chance another season. They were last changed in July '07 so fingers crossed. I am sure there will be a big increase in extended maintenance periods for many boaters such as me at the moment who were already on a shoe string and who are now just dangling by a thread!!
 
Always change mine (DIY) every two years give or take 3/4 months,the last time we left it for three years the U/J bellows was developing a small but obvious crack.
U/J bellows is a priority with the EX a bit less urgent as is the water inlet hose.
Have never yet changed a gearshift cable gaitor.
 
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