Water is spewing from the shaft like a geyser. I know I need to check the stuffing box but don't know how to fix it. Help?
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Tighten the Nut
In an emergency, tighten the stuffing box nut to stop the water flow. When hauled, change/replace the stuffing.
In an emergency, tighten the stuffing box nut to stop the water flow. When hauled, change/replace the stuffing.
leaking shaft
I fretted about this also until I just jumped in and fixed it. turned out not to be much of a deal at all. I replaced my packing while its in the water. so long as its not leaking to bad and your bilge pump can keep up don't worry about it. It doesn't take all that long anyways. Back off the nut. the packing is inside. get a set of picks from Home Depot and clean out the out packing. Get teflon packing right size for your shaft. Cut 3 and if room 4 pieces just long enough to go around the shaft without overlapping. Stagger the 3 pieces so the seems are in different locations from each other. tighten up the nut so it doesn't leak with the shaft turning. A few drips now and then is fine. This teflon stuff is great!
I fretted about this also until I just jumped in and fixed it. turned out not to be much of a deal at all. I replaced my packing while its in the water. so long as its not leaking to bad and your bilge pump can keep up don't worry about it. It doesn't take all that long anyways. Back off the nut. the packing is inside. get a set of picks from Home Depot and clean out the out packing. Get teflon packing right size for your shaft. Cut 3 and if room 4 pieces just long enough to go around the shaft without overlapping. Stagger the 3 pieces so the seems are in different locations from each other. tighten up the nut so it doesn't leak with the shaft turning. A few drips now and then is fine. This teflon stuff is great!
Fix while in water
I've changed the packing quite a few times while the boat is in the water. Just get an old inner tube from a bicycle, cut into a strip and wrap it around the shaft log and shaft, stops anything from leaking in.
I've changed the packing quite a few times while the boat is in the water. Just get an old inner tube from a bicycle, cut into a strip and wrap it around the shaft log and shaft, stops anything from leaking in.
Advance preparations
I would add to what Steve said by some advance preparations, because once you start the process, you want to be able to finish it since you may have some water coming in. First, you need to determine the correct size of packing that you'll need, because it's critical that it fits properly. (If you don't know already, you can back off the lock nut and packing nut and measure the space between the shaft and the edge of the packing nut where the packing will be inserted.) Then I would pre-cut the 3-4 pieces of packing that you'll use. My prop shaft is 1 inch dia, and I took a piece of dowel rod the same size and used it to measure and cut the packing. Use a sharp utility knife, and make a diagonal cut so that the ends just meet around the shaft. Depending upon the packing you use, there may be a lubricant/grease that comes with it to coat the packing which makes it easier to insert. Good luck. Good luck
I would add to what Steve said by some advance preparations, because once you start the process, you want to be able to finish it since you may have some water coming in. First, you need to determine the correct size of packing that you'll need, because it's critical that it fits properly. (If you don't know already, you can back off the lock nut and packing nut and measure the space between the shaft and the edge of the packing nut where the packing will be inserted.) Then I would pre-cut the 3-4 pieces of packing that you'll use. My prop shaft is 1 inch dia, and I took a piece of dowel rod the same size and used it to measure and cut the packing. Use a sharp utility knife, and make a diagonal cut so that the ends just meet around the shaft. Depending upon the packing you use, there may be a lubricant/grease that comes with it to coat the packing which makes it easier to insert. Good luck. Good luck
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