We have a 2008 323 and when pulling out this fall we noticed the stuffing box seal was leaking. When looking for a replacement part, a "PYI PSS Dripless Seal", it appears the "water intake sert" is part of the seal. My current seal does not have an intregal sert and the plumbing port is epoxied into the stern tube. Is this typical of Beneteau (the first one I've has to replace)? Can I block the one that is epoxied in? Is this type of seal not appropriate? Suggestions.
323 Stuffing Box Seal
- Thread starter Faster Double
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That's typical Beneteau with the Volvo seal. I would think that if you are replacing with the PSS seal, you would still need to use the same shaft fitting for the water flow. That, by the way, is a terribly vulnerable barb fitting, it is not a Zerk. I am not totally familiar with the PSS, but I would surmise that the Zerk fitting is there to put grease into the seal.
With the Volvo Seal, the grease is applied by pinching the seal open enough to squeeze grease into it. If you have neglected to grease it as apart of your regular maintenance routine, the contact area with the prop shaft probably eroded to the point where it is leaking.
With the Volvo Seal, the grease is applied by pinching the seal open enough to squeeze grease into it. If you have neglected to grease it as apart of your regular maintenance routine, the contact area with the prop shaft probably eroded to the point where it is leaking.
This is the Volvo seal. Right end with the two sealing rings is where you grease. Also, you need to burp the seal after launch to remove air trapped.
Thanks Bob and Doug (are you the McKinzie brothers?) 
. I had a quote to replace the current seal with the PYI PSS Seal thus the lead down the rabbit hole. Here is a picture of the PSS seal and the one I have. It cetainly appears to be different than the Volvo one. We just bought the boat in June of last year so I do not know the maintenance history.
The seal on our 2014 Beneteau looks just like the one you have, and I understand that it's the Volvo seal. Perhaps Newport Bob's picture is of a different model Volvo seal. In any case I've heard the same recommendations for ours regarding greasing annually and burping after launch. The Beneteau water cooling fitting is pretty vulnerable from what I've read. Not sure whether the PSS would just use that or need its own.
I had a 323 and we replaced the Volvo seal with the PSS the water line was connected to the PSS and the fitting was taken out of the tube and the hole filled with epoxy. This was done by the yard because the fitting is week and leaking. I sold the boat 4 years later with no leaks. Good Luck.
FD,
My pic is the same seal as your pic - just a cross section. Sorry I didn't clarify that.
You can buy Volvo grease and the best way to grease is with a straw filled grease under the lip of the seal. Details are on this site.
If you can't find let me know and I will find
My pic is the same seal as your pic - just a cross section. Sorry I didn't clarify that.
You can buy Volvo grease and the best way to grease is with a straw filled grease under the lip of the seal. Details are on this site.
If you can't find let me know and I will find
Thank you to everyone.. I spoke with the folks at PYI (and also read the installation instructions) and it appears the small "zert" looking appendage is a vent only to be plumbed in boats that exceed 12 knots under power. However, Kenneth at PYI suggested plumbing it anyway due to the rare occasion when the cutlass bearing prevents water from reaching the PSS seal face. This is accomplished by a "tee" fitting off the stern tube water intake. On another note, I looked for a new Volvo seal and couldn't find one online (West Marine, Fawcetts, etc...). Thanks again!
You just thought I had this figured out...So, I went and measured the prop shaft yesterday (no calipers) and the diameter is roughly 1" on a tape. I'm going out on a limb here and guessing that Yanmar is metric built which would be 25mm. As fit is imperative at the face of this seal can anyone comfirm that the diameter shaft size is indeed in mm and not inches? the motor is a Yanmar 3YM20.
The difference between 25 mm and an inch is a mere 0.4 mm.pretty difficult to accurately measure without a caliper. The shaft diameter probably hs nothing to do with Yanmar. More than likely, if the boat was built in the US ,the shaft is one inch. If French built it could be 25mm.
I even wonder if there are two different part numbers for the Volvo seal. I probably have to find out for sure fairly soon as I may have to replace the seal in my boat.
FD,
You have a 25mm shaft not 1 inch.
Checked on the Bene USA parts site - shows your model and engine combo.
My US built 373 with the Yanmar 3GM30f also has the 25mm shaft.
You have a 25mm shaft not 1 inch.
Checked on the Bene USA parts site - shows your model and engine combo.
My US built 373 with the Yanmar 3GM30f also has the 25mm shaft.
I confirm it's 25mm, I changed mine as per manufacturer's recommandation after 1500 hours!
The difficult part was pulling the shaft: there is very little working space and a puller, heat, and a mallet were needed.
After a close look at all parts the change was premature.
If yours is leaking however it's time!
Pierre
The difficult part was pulling the shaft: there is very little working space and a puller, heat, and a mallet were needed.
After a close look at all parts the change was premature.
If yours is leaking however it's time!
Pierre
Thanks again all. My local Beneteau dealer confirmed the 25mm shaft diameter. I hadn't thought about the "shaft puller". Does anyone know that using one is a must?
Did you measure that with a micrometer? That's a mere 0.015" I'm guessing the rubber seal isn't that accurate. I could be wrong.
Hey Doug. I bought the PSS Dripless shaft seal which has a "shaft collar"...pretty exacting at this piece thus the 0.015" concern. I agree had it been the "volvo" seal likely not an issue.