prop shaft/stuffing box leak

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 6:17 pm

hello all, I seem to have developed a starboard engine, prop shaft leak where the shaft exits the boat near the rubber boot. I believe its coming from the large nut where the rope seal is,
my question is , can I snug it up or do I have to haul the boat to deal with this

Dreamer · Post by **Dreamer** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:19 pm

You can tighten it up.

LandVF36 · Post by **LandVF36** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:25 pm

Tighten a 1/4 turn at a time. If the nut bottoms out, then you need to repack. I've added a little extra packing a few times while still in the water to just get by for the season after bottoming out the nut. I've completely repacked once, cleaning out all the old first but it was a little un-nerving seeing all that watter gush in while I wrapped the new packing around the shaft. It can be done....

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:37 pm

thanks, will try, to tighten, Im assume I use a large pipe wrench?

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:43 pm

how much of a leak? a certain amount is acceptable, need some or the packing will overheat. Of course there will be other opinions, but usually between one and four drops per minute would be acceptable.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:31 pm

Repacking the shaft while in the water is not that big of a deal. Once you take off the packing nut water will come in through the shaft log. Take a rag and poke it in around the shaft and stuffing box. This will almost completely stop the flow of water. You can then take your time picking out the old packing. Just make sure you get all of the old packing out of the nut. Cut and install the new packing. You will need to remove the rag at this point and screw the packing nut on the shaft log. As you tighten the nut, the packing will be pressed into the bottom of the nut. Once it is tight, back it off and add another piece of packing. Press it into the nut again by tightening. Remove the nut and add a third piece of packing. Once the third and last piece of packing is pressed into the nut, back it off until you get water dripping from the shaft. The water cools the shaft as it spins in the packing. Tighten the lock nut and the job is done.

If you want to poke the rag around the shaft you can while you put the second and then the third piece of packing in the nut , or just let the water flow. (The bilge pump will take care of the water.)

mtwolf · Post by **mtwolf** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:55 am

I have to agree with Gerry 100 percent. I repacked my starboard last summer, in the water, and now the port side is about ready. Just be sure to stagger the packing, about a third of the way around from the other, when you do it.

John
F-31
Middle River, MD

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 11:20 am

I use a sharpie to mark the nut where the joint is. You can loose track of where the joint is when you press the packing into the nut. Stagger the joints so they are 120 degrees apart.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:06 pm

Here it is in pictures:
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:52 am

ok guys , thanks so much for all the info, and the pictures as well. Im going to do it this morning and hopefully will be able to snug it up. My only concern is that those nuts look funky. I hope their not seized , so Im bringing some penetrating oil etc to help. I think the PO left some stufffing in the hardware draw, but for today Im going to try to snug up,
my leak is substantial. I do know a little is good, but mine is a constant flow. Enough for concern, as I leave my boat in during the winter and typically will pour antifreeze into the bilge to prevent freezing and dont want it washing out with the bilge pumps. Thats my biggest concern. I wouldnt have a problem with a few drips.
will update , and try to post pictures

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:50 pm

ok, update,
went to the marina and was able to snug up the shaft stuffing box with no problems at all, worked like a charm, I didnt replace the sealing medium, but def stopped the leak till the spring.
many thanks to all , and thanks to Aaron for the step by step, I appreciate it.[img][img]http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63 ... 6_0912.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63 ... 6_0914.jpg[/img][/img]

Buckknekkid · Post by **Buckknekkid** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:00 am

I did mine on Monday. Raw fibreglass is porous, I would take the time to paint the bilges.

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:06 pm

are you referring to mine? it seems to have a gloss to it as if sealed with epoxy or something, I do plan on doing a thorugh cleanning of the bilge before winter hits,,
thanks

Trojan Boat Forum

prop shaft/stuffing box leak

prop shaft/stuffing box leak

paint that fibreglass