Helpppp!!! stern tube leak

[mtoppozini]

Hope someone can help me out here. I put my 1994 Hunter 29.5 in the water today, (yes I know I am late again as usual). Anyway, everything checked out fine until I noticed a very slight leak around the stuffing box area. I tightend down the stuffing box but still noticed water in that area. I cleaned up the water and placed some paper towel down to see where the leak was coming from and it appears to be coming from the point where rubber sleeve that attaches to the stern tube. I clamped it down the rubber sleve as tight as I could but it still leaks....not a lot but perhaps a drop every 15 minutes or so.

Also, for some context, I had the rubber sleeve replaced last spring but I think the alignment may have gotten out of wack in the process. As a result my stuffing box was over heating. Frustrated with the exercise, I took it to a marina who re-alligned my engine and advised me that the shaft was rubbing on the stuffing box, hence the heat. Once repaired, things worked well for the rest of the season. however, I am now wondering if that alignment problem last year may have worn or cracked somthing in the stern tube or log. If anyone has any comments or suggestions I would be grateful to hear from you. Otherwise it is back to the marina again and more $$$$$. Surprise surprise.

Thanks, Mike T.

 

[J Hunter]

one drop per 15 minutes? 15,000 (drops in a gallon)/4= 3750 hours to get a gallon of water in your bilge. Since you got your boat in late, and you are in Ontario, and the h29.5 has a pretty small bilge, I'd guess your bilge pump will come on like twice before you haul out. My bilge hasn't been that dry in 20 years. A one year old sleeve that has a tiny imperfection in it's sealing surface that affords a tiny leak is still less likely to fail catastrophically than the much older sleeve it replaced last year that probably was leak free and never given a second thought until it was ten or 15 years old.

 

[Steve Dion]

Mike: I would have your marina repair check it out. If it happens to be a cracked tube who knows what will happen 2 hrs off shore.

 

[Benny]

Yes it could be a cracked tube. Keep plenty of rags and a large roll of duct tape.

 

[mtoppozini]

Thanks all.....I am going to see the mechanic who re-alligned the engine last year to see what he says. Since I paid him$700 perhaps he may give me a break on any additional repairs.

Cheers!!

Mike T

 

[Steve Dion]

Maybe he should do it for free! Don't be bashful. If you don't ask him, no one else will be there to help you.

 

[SamLust]

Wow! $700? I hope that included haul in and out and a washy-waxy. The first time I ever did mine it took me less than 2 hours of playing. NOTE. Do not lean on engine when checking coupling clearance with feeler. You'll drive yourself nuts! You might want to invest some time in learning more about the mechanics involved here or develop some friends who can help.