Winter maintenance

[shibbs]

I had always planned that this winter I would carry out some preventative maintenance for no other reason than its the end of the first full season of use out of the boat. Whilst I got some decent use the year before after buying it, she hadn't sat in the water all year.
Whilst I know the service history is good and that all jobs that should have been done were, for peace of mind I have set myself the following to do over the next few months.
Drive leg removal:
All bellows,
Impeller,
Anodes,
Leg oil etc
and gimbol bearing change.
I hadn't planned on doing the bearing but for 2 reasons I have decided to, first being the whole thing is stripped so makes sense, second, on the last couple of outings I've heard a bit of noise/whine when at full lock. - we shall see...
And now for a few questions... I've watched a few videos and read a few reports etc and am fairly happy with conducting the work but pretty sure there are some specialist tools required, can anyone confirm? Also, does anyone know if these can be hired? Anyone done these jobs and can provide any advice, As always, it's gratefully received.
All engine servicing etc has already been done when I winterised it.
Additionally, I plan to remove the port side cylinder head to inspect the valves. I'm pretty sure I may have a valve that is cooked, compression is down considerably on one cylinder. Again, we shall see...??

[Ianfs]

Some specialist tools are required, Alignment tool (not essential but useful) , Gimbal Bearing Seating Tool and a Hinge Pin Tool. You are welcome to borrow all three, but I loaned them to a fellow on the YBW forum, so I'll get them back for you, I'm pretty certain he's done by now.
Other useful tools are a good quality Puller which will fit inside the Gimbal bearing and an extended socket for the shift cable (not sure if you need this for a Gen 11 though).

It's all work within your scope, but some of it can be fiddly, especially replacing the bellows in the right order.

PS, do you know when the impeller was last changed?

[shibbs]

Thanks Ian,!!! That would be great, maybe I could arrange to pick them up, I will pm you, dont think I'll be too far from you over the festive season, maybe a beer or 2 could be arranged at the same time??
As for the impeller, away at the moment so not entirely sure without looking but do know it's not had too many hours, but, has been a coupe of years so whilst it's apart I think we'll worth doing?

[Ianfs]

Thanks Ian,!!! That would be great, maybe I could arrange to pick them up, I will pm you, dont think I'll be too far from you over the festive season, maybe a beer or 2 could be arranged at the same time??

Dave has just posted them so should be with me in the next couple of days.

Stu, if you want to have a beer or two, or maybe three, or four, or five, or siiixxx, or sephenn, or aight, or niiiinneee, or how many of you are there???

Who am I to argue? There are 3 spare rooms to sleep it off!

[shibbs]

Thanks Ian, very kind offer!
What's anyone's thoughts or opinions on this ad for bellow parts, all in, it's approx £85.
Seems cheap, worth it or not?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/120894389880

[mlines]

In the last year of ownership of our Bayliner 185 we changed the bellows and the gimbal bearing. We bought "non-Mercruiser" parts.

We had one hell of a job trying to get the bellows on. It would go on and then after a few days it would pull off. We tried two or three times. Eventually I asked some engineers and they said that I was using a copy and should use a genuine Mercruiser one. It is a different gauge of rubber (thinner and more supple) to the copy and therefore can take more flex without the seal breaking. Its a known issue and they told me we had a copy without even asking me what I had bought.

We put on a genuine one and had no further problems.

[shibbs]

In the last year of ownership of our Bayliner 185 we changed the bellows and the gimbal bearing. We bought "non-Mercruiser" parts.

We had one hell of a job trying to get the bellows on. It would go on and then after a few days it would pull off. We tried two or three times. Eventually I asked some engineers and they said that I was using a copy and should use a genuine Mercruiser one. It is a different gauge of rubber (thinner and more supple) to the copy and therefore can take more flex without the seal breaking. Its a known issue and they told me we had a copy without even asking me what I had bought.

We put on a genuine one and had no further problems.

Thanks Martin, had a feeling an answer like that may come up. The boat lives in the water for the season so not worth chancing. Genuine it is then.
Thanks.

[Ianfs]

I have to agree. In my experience of after market stern drive servicing parts, genuine parts seem to be better quality.
I bought Sierra parts previously and ended up throwing the gasket and bellows away. The gasket in that eBay kit is basically only a piece of thin card whereas the genuine part has a rubber gasket sealed into it as well.
As Martin says the bellows do feel different, genuine are much more supple.
The gasket sets should be a no brainer because genuine ones are only about £12, but I think the genuine bellows and gimbal bearings are quite a lot more but we'll worth it.
I've used Sierra impellers and pump housings previously and they seem OK. It's mainly the bellows, gaskets and bearing.
Probably all made in China but some are better Chinese bits. ☺

[betty boop]

In the last year of ownership of our Bayliner 185 we changed the bellows and the gimbal bearing. We bought "non-Mercruiser" parts.

We had one hell of a job trying to get the bellows on. It would go on and then after a few days it would pull off. We tried two or three times. Eventually I asked some engineers and they said that I was using a copy and should use a genuine Mercruiser one. It is a different gauge of rubber (thinner and more supple) to the copy and therefore can take more flex without the seal breaking. Its a known issue and they told me we had a copy without even asking me what I had bought.

We put on a genuine one and had no further problems.

Thanks Martin, had a feeling an answer like that may come up. The boat lives in the water for the season so not worth chancing. Genuine it is then.
Thanks.

HA! brings back horrible memories but you are 100% right. 2 points for my 2p worth. some after market type parts are rubbish (sort of) When I changed betty's I had 4 sets, 1 went back as it was deformed, 1 was scared mid bellow so I would dare fit it, the replacement would not fit on at all. in the end I spent 4 days trying over Jan 2011 in the damn cold trying unsuccessfully to mount the main bellow. Hot water/ mount tool -nothing would work. eventually I gave in & I bought Mercruiser bellows and it fitted 1st time, albeit with elbow grease and a hot water. lesson learnt but at least I still have 2 no name spares in the garage as the supplier didnt ask for a return.

Reason - yes they are inferior China materials too but its also the moulding equipment. Moulds are sold on at the end of first quality casting then again and again etc. Then you get copies of the 2nd quality - you get the idea, it might only be minimal but variants do creep in. Pay your money and you get first quality moulding and materials (allegedly) Sierra parts I tend to trust as they are as good as Merc, a lot cheaper. Then again 'a bad workman always blames his tools'

[shibbs]

Thanks Betty, minds made up, will definitely go for genuine, thanks for the input though.