Volvo Penta Saildrive Bellow rubbers replacement

How to Replace a Volvo Penta Saildrive rubber bellow: Do-it-Yourself Guide

Replacing the bellow of a Volvo Penta sail drive is a crucial maintenance task for every water sports enthusiast. A good bellow prevents water from entering the engine compartment, this is comparable to a propeller shaft seal in a boat with a propeller shaft. In this blog post we explain step by step how you can replace the bellow yourself, what you should pay attention to and we provide useful tips and tricks for replacing a bellow kit independently.

What is a Saildrive rubber bellow?

A sail drive bellow is a rubber seal that keeps water out of the engine compartment. This must be checked and replaced regularly to prevent it from wearing out and leaking, which can cause serious damage to the engine.

Required Tools and Materials

Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials on hand:

• New sail drive bellow set ( You can find it here! )
• Screwdrivers
• Socket set (Metric)
• Allen keys
• Silicone grease (Included in the set)
• Threadlocker (Stainless Steel Thread included in the kit)
• Jack or lifting system

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preparation : Make sure the boat is docked in a safe and stable manner. Disconnect the battery and ensure that the engine cannot accidentally start.

2. Removing the propeller : Remove the propeller from the sail drive. You do this by removing the locking pin and loosening the screw. Please note that the proppelor may be rusted. Heat it carefully and evenly and use a rubber or plastic hammer to tap it off the shaft. 

3. Unscrewing the sail drive : Unscrew the sail drive from the engine. This may require some force, so use a good ratchet or open-end wrench to gently loosen the bolts.

4. Removing the sail drive: Once the sail drive has been disconnected from the engine, in most cases you can lower the sail drive in its entirety through the hole in the boat. Do this with 2 people or hang the sail drive in the boat on a tackle or rope so that it cannot fall down. The rubber flap is firmly cemented, in most cases you will have to cut it loose from under the boat. Does this not work? Then remove the ''top-end'' from the tail piece so that you can still remove the sail drive from the boat. NB! Install a new gasket afterwards.
5. Remove old cuff : Carefully remove the old bellow from the saildrive. Check the bellow for wear and damage to get an idea of ​​the condition of the seal. If you have already taken it out, replace it immediately!

6. Installing the new cuff : Lightly lubricate the new bellow with silicone grease. Carefully place the bellow on the sail drive and ensure that it fits properly.

7. Attaching the Sail Drive : Reattach the sail drive to the engine and ensure that all bolts are properly tightened. Also install the stainless steel locking wire to the sail drive bolts that connect the tail piece to the top end.

8. Replacing the Propeller : Replace the propeller ensuring that the retaining pin is properly engaged.

9. Check : Perform a thorough check to ensure everything is tight and there are no leaks. Start the engine briefly to check that everything is working properly.

Useful Tips and Tricks

• Regular Check : Check the condition of the cuff regularly, especially after long periods of intensive use. Also check the cuff every year before the boat goes back into the water or before the sailing season.
• Use of original parts : Always use original Volvo Penta parts to guarantee the best quality and warranty.
• Professional Help : If you have any doubts about your own skills, don't hesitate to call in a professional. Replacing the cuff is a delicate job and a mistake can be costly.
• Checking specific parts: Once you have the sail drive out of the boat, check the points below for wear or inaccuracies.

1. Anodes, these can be found at the output shaft of the sail drive.
2. Check the output shaft for wear and grease it with grease before installing the screw.
3. Check the oil in the gearbox, you will always have to replace it as soon as you replace the cuff. Is the oil milky? Then check the seals and whether the housing is not cracked.
4. Check the sail drive input shaft for wear
5. Check the water inlets of the sail drive. The open water is sucked in via the sail drive, so it is very important that these entrances are free!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should the sail drive bellow be replaced? It is recommended to replace the rubber bellow every 7 years or after approximately 500 hours of operation, whichever comes first.

Can I replace the bellow myself? Yes, with the right tools and some technical knowledge you can replace the bellow yourself. However, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and proceed with caution.

What are the symptoms of a worn cuff? Symptoms of a leaking bellow are mainly that you get water into the engine compartment from the sail drive. When this happens, the damage has already been done, so check your bellow regularly!

With this manual you can get started on replacing the bellow of your Volvo Penta sail drive yourself. By carrying out regular maintenance and replacing parts on time, you can extend the life of your engine and prevent problems on the water. Good luck!