Leaky Stern Gland

[Nick Bowles]

Hi,

The correct URL of your picture is

http://www.aquatrends.com/vega/stemgland.jpg

You appear to have the stuffing box type of stern gland, but the grease tube
is not attached to teh fitting on the top. Have you been pumping grease into
this occasionally? (There appears to be some old grease round about the
greasepump fitting)

If the problem is not a lack of grease then you will need to repack the
stern gland. New packing will cost you pennies, but unless you are very
brave you will need to lift the boat out of the water to do it. Apart from
anything else, getting the old packing out is the easiest way to check the
size you need.

Good luck,

Nick

'Fairwinds' V1842
Oban, Scotland

 

[o2n7dcolin]

Are there not just two oil seals in this type of stuffing tube? I've had
mine off and all I could see besides the bush in the centre were a seal
at either end of the brass piece. Easy job to replace the seals. They
were available at local bearing shop. Colin V-709Nick Bowles wrote:

 

[wxt8981]

Hi Nick;

looking at the picture (your URL), your Seal rings are worn
out. That's an easy fix: get 2 seal rings (catalog #
52802-156 and I advise to get also the bush, # 49192) You
do need to take the boat out- pull out the sleeve/shaft and
replace the parts. Since these parts are inexpensive, get
some extras! (By the way, I assume you haven't taken the
shaft out lately, hence also get the bush for the Stern
bearing (#47357) and replace it. (with a piece of hacksaw
cut a V into the [old] bush, use a screedriver to lift one
end, and then pull it out. Then stick in the new bush, with
a hammer and a piece of wood (to soften the blow) get it in
all the way. Good luck!

Wilhelm, V-257

 

[chris20636]

Confused yet? The original Vega stern gland was (grease? Oil?) filled and has two seals that you have to replace. I don't know what that looks like because my Vega came with or was refitted with a standard stuffing box. See

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If it is a standard stuffing box, you should see what looks like a large nut on the end that will unscrew. It's hard to tell for sure from your picture, but I don't think you have that. However the grease around the fitting makes it hard to determine from your picture. Also, I don't think a standard stuffing box comes with a grease fitting (mine doesn't). I think I saw during my internet searching that some stuffing boxes can come with a grease fitting, but it's my impression that this is rare on a boat. As they say....your mileage may vary. The link above discusses such stuffing boxes.

I also have bought parts from Steve to recondition my combi and can highly recommend that source.

To replace the seals on the original stern gland you have to pull the shaft back from the combi. I've heard of some brave souls who have done this in the water, but I wouldn't be one of them. It's not as dangerous to repack a standard stuffing box as you don't need to pull back the shaft and you can stuff a rag in the open box to stop the water flow until you are ready with the new packing. However, I would still only do this with the boat hauled.

When I first moved my boat to it's new home, my stuffing box leaked quite badly. I knew nothing about them at the time so I panicked and ran to the hardware store and picked up one of these and connected to shore power.

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I was able to wedge it down into the bilge. The surveyor chuckled over it, and it was probably overkill, but I was able to sleep better at night and it gave me breathing room to learn more about the box and what my options were.

Good Luck

Chris
V2933 Renee From: Colin Are there not just two oil seals in this type of stuffing tube?

Nick Bowles wrote:

 

[wxt8981]

Hi:

from what I see at the photo, that's an original stuffing
box. I can see the nut (on the side toward the engine). You
unscrew this nut and press grease every 3 or so months
(depends how much you run the engine). There is also 1
bushing inside the stuffing box (some have 2), replace them
as well (# 49192).

I don't know how much of a mmechanic you are, but to take
out the shaft/sleeve is easy-- when you know how! I've done
it often, but the first time it was a chore!

Wilhelm, V-257