What happens when bellows fail?
What happens when bellows fail?
Bellows must be flexible to allow steering and tilting and maintain that flexibility without fracturing under seasonal temperature swings, moisture and dryness, UV ray absorption, vibration and mechanical abrasion. If the bellows fail, they can let enough water into the boat to sink it.
What do exhaust bellows do?
Most commonly, exhaust bellows are designed to limit the motion/kinetic energy within or passed along from the engine to high-cost emissions systems by absorbing displacements and vibrations and accommodating thermal expansion.
Can bad bellows sink a boat?
A crack in the exhaust bellows won’t sink your boat, but it will fill your bilge and make a mess in the cabin. You’ll find bellows only on stern drives and not inboards or outboards.
What are bellows for on a boat?
Many stern-drives have flexible gaskets, called “bellows,” that seal the water out where the universal joint, shift cable and exhaust run between boat and drive. Their flexibility allows the drive to trim and turn while under way, but they can dry out and crack due to heat, harsh weather or age.
How often should bellows be replaced?
every two years
Inspect the bellows annually and replace it every two years. Many, myself included, feel that if the drive is removed for inspection, you may as well just replace the bellows while you’re at it.
How does a bellow work?
Bellows have two handles which, when pulled, force the chamber to “inhale,” drawing air inside itself for storage. When the handles are pushed downward, the air chamber forces the air out through the nozzle. Air blows out of the nozzle and onto a small fire or smoldering log to stoke the flames.
How long do bellows last on a boat?
Inspect the bellows annually and replace it every two years. Many, myself included, feel that if the drive is removed for inspection, you may as well just replace the bellows while you’re at it.
How do you know if bellows are bad?
You may notice a loud noise when you’re driving it. That can indicate additional damage involving the gimble bearing and the U-joint bellows. Shifting problems would point to this one. Overheating might mean the exhaust one is bad.
Will bad bellows sink a boat?
