Help Needed! - Question re: belows failure-gctid358678

[Guest]

I will spare all the peripheral details other than this: my 2007 Bayliner Discovery is in pristine condition, has about 120 hours, and has been serviced twice-yearly by marine mechanics.

Question: If the leg has been properly serviced every fall before layup (in this case, beginning of October), is it reasonable to have a belows failure by spring?

I asked for this work to be done; I have a record of asking it to be done; I was told that it had been done; but I was never given an itemized invoice. Circumstances were such that my suspicion was aroused about the work done or not done and I did raise that with the mechanics before this issue arose.

I have just been told that thew belows has failed and that my gimble bearing is shot. Marine mechanics have candidly told me that they a wondering whether they bear some responsibility.

What do you think?

[Guest]

Just to clarify, did you use the boat since the service (just before the fall layup)?

[Guest]

It's not reasonable to have a bellows failure under normal use if it was fine in Oct. A picture would be worth a thousand words though. If the boat was stored in the water it could fail for many reasons.

[Guest]

I have not used the boat since it was serviced in the fall, but it stays in its slip over the winter.

[Guest]

Rob, you are asking us to answer the question with a simple yes or no in the absence of details. Our answers would be worthless because there simply is not enough information.

If it is in fact a gimbal bearing failure, I'm assuming you have a Merc drive -- as Volvo Penta does not have such a part. If that is the case, the gimbal bearing is not an expensive part. If the boat was regularly serviced by the same mechanic, you can ask them to produce an invoice for the purchase of the bellows at the time the service was performed. If you have proof of payment for the service, it should put you on better footing to argue the failure was due to the work performed. A gimbal bearing failure is not a big deal. Remove the drive, change it, install new bellows, and you're good to go.

The question you may want to ask more than anything is whether the bellows were installed correctly to begin with. If the clamp is over-tightened, it can weaken and tear the bellows.

[Guest]

It doesn't sound like he had the bellows replaced - only had the annual outdrive service, which typically doesn't include anything other than an inspection in terms of the bellows. I don't think the mechanic should (by law) be held responsible if he overlooked a bellows issue during the inspection, since no bellows work was actually performed... but I could be wrong.

Astral is right - gimbal bearing is not a big deal. If the mechanic had caught the faulty bellows in October, you would have paid to replace them at that time... so instead you're replacing them now. The only added cost is an inexpensive gimbal bearing.

[itsabowtime2]

Have the bellows ever been replaced? If not then they are in need of replacing at 5 years old. If they have been replaced, when was the last time? If it was in October then, IMO, they should not have failed already unless there was a defect or not installed correctly.

BTW, by failed, what exactly do you mean?

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replies. I was short on details (which I know is not helpful) only because I was asked to come out to the Marina and didn't have much time.

Anyway, the mechanics are going to replace the gimbal and bellows at parts cost and half labor.

Based on your responses and the advice given to me by the mechanic I am satisfied that the failure of the bellows (leaking) and the gimbal bearing was just "one of those things". Frankly, my curiosity was peaked only because of the mechanic's desire to extend an accommodation to me. They did so -not because of the bellows issue - but because of some issues that arose from my last service.

Anyway, all is good. Really good, actually, as they've made good on some past issues and that really confirms to me that I'm dealing with straight shooters.

Thanks again for all the helpful replies.

[2850Bounty]

Astral Blue wrote:
...... because there simply is not enough information.

If it is in fact a gimbal bearing failure, I'm assuming you have a Merc drive -- as Volvo Penta does not have such a part.

I would agree. No harm/no foul, but perhaps next time give as much as you can.

Just a heads up re; a Gimbal system..... by 2007 Volvo Penta was definitely using a Gimbal system and a Gimbal bearing.

This actually began with the SX and DP-S drives in the early 90's, but of course Bayliner was not using Volvo Penta after 1986.

Astral Blue wrote:
........... If the boat was regularly serviced by the same mechanic, you can ask them to produce an invoice for the purchase of the bellows at the time the service was performed.

I don't think that a service shop is required to produce their parts purchase invoice, but if the customer has their itemized invoice, it would certainly show which parts were used.

RobH wrote:
Based on your responses and the advice given to me by the mechanic I am satisfied that the failure of the bellows (leaking) and the gimbal bearing was just "one of those things". Frankly, my curiosity was peaked only because of the mechanic's desire to extend an accommodation to me. They did so -not because of the bellows issue - but because of some issues that arose from my last service.

Rob, are the "issues that arose from your last service" something to worry about? Was this something that breached trust?

Along with Ed's suggestions, I'd suggest that you be more involved in what the diagnosis suggests, and what the written work scope is to entail.

Show some interest and concern, and they may be less likely to pull a fast one on you.

If you suspect anything, put a small paint pen mark on the parts that are going to be replaced, and ask that the replaced parts be returned to you.

Rob, just an FYI re; drive shaft bellows: Even if you were to store your drive tilted fully up, this short time frame is not enough to have harmed brand new drive shaft bellows.

Keep in mind that storing the drive fully down and aimed straight forward can extend the life of them.

None of us should be storing a drive fully tilted up, IMO.

.