C-310 PSS Shaft Seal Update

[Maine Sail]

Hi Guy's,As promised I finally made it to the boat to take final pictures of my PSS shaft seal installation, the vent hose routing and the water collection system. I have written the article in Blog format with pictures and installation instructions so it's easy to understand. The vent hose and water collection bottle are unique to my 310, & my own little creation, but would make a very nice addition to any boat venting a PSS internally as you'll see when you read the article...Here's the link: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/pss_shaft_seal-Maine Sail

 

[Zaphro]

Looks great!

A nice clean installation. I love the attention to detail and the internal vent. Certainly an excellent alternative to running the 15-20 ft. of vent line that I did, to get mine centerline aft.

 

[Pat]

Nice work

I was wondering that if you were to run the vent line up higher would you still need the water bottle?

 

[Maine Sail]

I actually ran a vent line...

To deck level and when you initially put it in reverse even at deck level some water came out. It does not leak in rough weather or any other time than the initial reverse thrust.

 

[Maine Sail]

Paul please get that PSS fixed ASAP!!!!

Your installer did you a big disservice. Where that brass plug is should be a white plastic hose barb! PSS does NOT advise using brass, or anything metallic, in the carbon ring because it could possibly split it and "destroy it" as they say. I was told this straight from the PYI tech dept and it's right there in black and white on the installation instructions the installer never read. A split carbon ring could be very bad! Brass expands and contracts at a very different rate than the carbon and when your seal heats up, because it became air bound due to having no vent, you may be in serious trouble! If anything your installer should have used a plastic plug but beyond that he should have VENTED it! Hell it would have taken about the same amount of time as the corner he cut. Call PSS and send them the picture, get their take on it, and then have the yard repair this incorrect installation. For safety replace the carbon rotor. I'm almost positive PSS would advise this too after seeing that photo. PSS added the vent to all PSS seals for a reason. You paid for a vented seal and your installer has stiffed you. Fight this one! If your boat is in the water they should be paying to haul and correct this issue not you! This is why I do all my own work. Boatyard monkeys suck!!! Good luck.This statement is straight from the PSS installation instructions:"Do not tighten or replace the installed nylon hose barb fitting with a metallic fitting. Metallic hose barbs will damage the carbon and destroy the PSS."As far as I'm concerned your carbon rotor is destroyed and they owe you a replacement something that CAN'T be done in the water. You must fix this as soon as possible and don't run the motor as you may potentially split the carbon if the seal gets to hot.I'm not trying to be an alarmist but I'm totally horrified that a so called professional would have done an install like that. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.Paul if this is how your boat yard operates please try and FIND A NEW ONE or learn to DIY more!

 

[Gary]

One Other Issue

Paul,Sorry to say you may have one other concern. I can't tell for sure from your photo, but it appears that the safety wire that normally secures the two set screw where the coupling attaches to the shaft is missing. And, it appears that one of the coupling set screws is missing. There should be two square or hex head set screws protruding from the coupling, each with a hole where a stainless safety wire ties them together and is wrapped in a manner that prevents them from being able to vibrate out under any circumstances. If that wire isn't there, it needs to be before you do any motoring. If it is, sorry for this un-substantiated message.Good Luck and Happy SailingGary2003 C310 #230

 

[Bob]

When did PYI make the design change?

My 310 #118 has had a PYI seal since 2002. It has no vent. When did they make the change and why. Is there a salt water/fresh water issue? Good discussion here. Looking forward to launch on May 8. Snowing in Columbus today.

 

[Maine Sail]

PSS made the change..

PSS made the change because they discovered that air could become trapped in the seal thus leaving no water for lubrication. Every boat can get tiny air bubbles from turbulence tracking under the hull and if those air bubbles accumulate in the PSS, find the highest spot, it makes a high pitches squealing sound letting you know that it's very hot and running dry. Salt or fresh water makes no difference. While in theory the old "low speed" version should have worked with only periodic "burping" but these tiny air bubbles, either from a blast of reverse, creating cavitation turbulence, or air bubbles tracking down the hull finding their way into the seal were causing a few issues. PYI is a good company so they addressed the problem and made all the seals vented. I know many individuals who had "low speed" seals running dry and PYI sent them the updated carbon ring at no charge for a while. If memory serves me correctly the switch happened around 2003 or 2004. When I purchased mine in 2005 they only offered vented but the one I bought in 2000, for another boat, was not vented.