Hey guys,

Just replaced the bellows in my TRS drives. One of them is leaking onto the ground under the drive and into the bilge as well. Took the drive back off and it is the seal on the check valve for the reservoir. The bottom of the seal was bent in from me putting the drive back on.

I am trying to use this boat tommorow. Can I try to bend the seal back out and put some permatex or something on it for an easy fix for this weekend? Or do I have to miss the weekend and replace it with a new seal?

I think you need a new seal. Any merc dealers around? If you were closer I'd give you one.

Also, I use a piece of stainless plate over the seal to protect it as I install the drive. After the drive is started I pull the plate out and gently push it all the way on making sure the nipple goes into the seal properly. It is a poor design, should have used an o ring like the bravo does.

Go to the local merc dealer and get a handful of them. Grease up the drive side of the check valve before putting the drive on. They are easy to do exactly what you did to it, that's why you want to have a bunch of them on hand.

Thanks guys. Checked with the merc dealers around here. Nobody has them in stock. I'm going to load up on them next week.

Can I try to use gasket sealant around that piece for a one time use? Or is that risking damage to something? Really trying to get a day of boating in tomorrow.

I suppose you could try. Clean it up and seal it tonight, see if you have a puddle under the drive tomorrow and go from there.

It is strange that you mentioned you had drive lube in the bilge...from what I recall the check valve was outside of the bellow. Whenever I would have a puddle it would only be on the ground under the drive.