Shaft packing

[The Dog House]

I think I have at least 1 drip per second.
Sounds like I need to replace it again?

I tried tightening nut with channel locks an pipe wrench. Not much change...

Were you able to tighten the packing nut very well? The channel locks and pipe wrench may not be giving you a good grip on the nuts. You'll need (2) 2 inch open end wrenches. I bought mine from Buck Algonquin but when I received them the gap was 1 7/8 inches (they didn't fit the nuts). I had to file mine down to achieve a 2 inch gap. If you can find a 2 inch wrench with two open ends you can cut it in half and use it as two wrenches. Whatever wrenches you buy will need to be cut down to work under the V drive.

When you adjust the packing nut, make sure you loosen the lock nut first. After loosening the lock nut, tighten the packing nut until you have 1 drop every 6 - 10 seconds and then retighten the lock nut. It shouldn't take more than 1 full turn of the packing nut to slow the leak down to 1 drop every 6 - 10 seconds. If one full turn doesn't do it then I think something is wrong with your packing installation. Hopefully tightening the nut a little more will fix the problem.

[Sanctuary 2]

thanks for advice.,,

Went and got 3 " adjustable wrench from home depot. It did the trick.I tightened the nut 1 drip every 15 seconds now. I tightened snugged the lock nut. Checked this morning and 1 drip about every 90 sec.

I think I need to tighten lock nut more.... or should I leave it?

Thanks again to all.

[captainmaniac]

thanks for advice.,,

Went and got 3 " adjustable wrench from home depot. It did the trick.I tightened the nut 1 drip every 15 seconds now. I tightened snugged the lock nut. Checked this morning and 1 drip about every 90 sec.

I think I need to tighten lock nut more.... or should I leave it?

Thanks again to all.

How tight the main nut is will control how fast it drips. The lock nut is only there to put enough pressure on the main nut that it won't move (tighten or back off) because of shaft rotation.

1 drip every 90 secs is probably good. When the boat is underway it will drip a bit more. You want some water flow to keep things cool, and to lubricate it. The main thing is that while underway the stuffing box should not get "hot". After running for a few minutes, shift into neutral and carefully touch the box with your hand (hold your hand above it for a few seconds without touching and if you feel heat rising, don't touch it!) to test temperature (or use an infrared heat gun). Cold is good. Warm is also okay. If it's hot, or you see steam..... it's too tight. If water is flowing in or spraying all over the place when running, it's too loose.

[Sanctuary 2]

Thanks for the reply.
I will leave it until we go for a test run.