Crack in Exhaust Bellows. Fix Ideas?

[KeysDreaming]

Hello. I just got a crack in my exhaust bellows. Was easy to notice it because when I started the engine exhaust came bellowing into the engine compartment. It's a metal bellow as you can see from the photo. I'd like to repair this myself and don't have any welding equipment. Does anyone have ideas or have switched from metal to something else that can me clamped on? My engine is a Westerbeke 4-107. Thanks for any input.

[zeehag]

find a fabricator. remove part after turning off water to engine, and take part for fabbing--make 2....then you have a spare...

[djmarchand]

That exhaust pipe and bellows is metal because it is before the water injection point. The exhaust gasses can be 800 deg F or so and only metal will handle that temperature.

An exhaust bellows is a manufactured part and it can't be fabricated locally. Buy a new one and replace it.

And when you do, please insulate the pipe. That hot pipe is radiating a huge amount of heat into your engine room. And any oil or fuel leak that hits it will result in an immediate fire!

David

[The Blue Heron]

JB Weld.. no kidding...

[perchance]

The bellows expands and contracts like an accordian and work hardens due to thermal cycling. Even if you had it welded cracks will show up elsewhere. The only real solution is replacement. J B weld will work in a pinch but the movement of the bellows will cause it to fail eventually.

[Cheechako]

That's a pretty iffy arrangement to start with. A good bellows should outlast the rest of the componants. Those heavy pipes hung out there causing leverage and stress with engine movement might even crack the engine manifold. Maybe SS flex pipe welded in place would be lighter and get rid of the bellows entirely...? That should be insulated....

[KeysDreaming]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I also found this stuff called thermosteel that withstands 2000 degree F temps. I'll use that until I replace the bellows. I did see the SS flex exhaust tubing and that seems more flexible and strong. Has anyone out there used that? Lastly thanks for the insulation recommendation.

[Cheechako]

I used the flex stuff years ago on a car... temporary until I got the custom exhaust system done. I weould want to have sleeves welded on th e ends... and a proper installation, but might be fine if that was done. I 'm, sure there are different grades of the stuff..... seen it on 18 wheelers!