No drip from Shaft Seal

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L

lr172

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Mar 24, 2011
56
Hunter 34 Lake Michigan
I acquired an H34 this spring and recently noticed that I am not getting any drips from my prop shaft seal. I have read this is bad and will wear my shaft.

Should I be concerned? Should I loosen up the packing until it drips? Should I repack it?

Thanks for your help / suggestions.
 
Richard Bryer

Richard Bryer

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Jun 3, 2004
890
Hunter 34 Toronto, Ontario Canada
I would say loosen it until it just drips while sitting out of gear. then tighten about 1/2 a flat if you have the hex brass box as I have. I keep a cut off bottom of a pink anti freeze jug under mine so i can tell how much it is dripping. It takes a bit of fiddling to get it right. It should drip very slowly while underway. I had mine too tight and wore a low spot in the shaft. Trying not to do that again
 
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navigator97

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May 24, 2004
470
Hunter 33.5 Portsmouth, RI
It is also possible that it has dripless packing compound in the stuffing box, If so, it would be in place of the middle ring of flax (or Teflon impregnated flax) With that configuration, you would not normally get any drips. If it just has the 3 rings of flax, then it's too tight.
 
Warren Milberg

Warren Milberg

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Dec 1, 1999
2,391
Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay
Before making any adjustments, first determine if you have a problem. It sounds like you do not know what type of packing material is in the gland. As suggested, it may be the dripless type. The first step here is to determine how hot -- or not -- the gland gets when the engine is running in gear. Carefully touch the gland being careful of the turning shaft and coupling. If it is warm-to-cool to the touch, I think you don't have a problem. If it is hot, that is uncomfortable to touch or keep your fingers on, the packing material is too tight. I've found that many modern PTFE or Gore Tex packing materials do not loosen up much once over-tightened or compressed. If the gland is hot, I think you may be best advised to repack the gland with material you know. It will then take a few adjustments to achieve the desired drip rate -- and piece of mind.
 
L

lr172

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Mar 24, 2011
56
Hunter 34 Lake Michigan
I only have spare packing (traditional type), so can't be sure what is in there. I have touched it a couple of times and it is not even noticeably warm to the touch. I'll be sure to test it after a good long run and be sure it is cools as well.

Thanks,

Larry
 
S

Sanfelice

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Jan 21, 2009
260
Catalina 30 Lake Perry, KS
Good advice so far. Word of caution, it is drips less not dripless. Common mistake. You still need some drips while shaft is turning to keep it cool.
 
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