My Hunter 410 came equiped with a PSS Shaft Seal, you know the one that is maintance free, as per PYI, Inc. I have under 300 hours on my engine and use my boat quite regularly through out the year. This past weekend the PSS shaft seal ruptured, actual tears in the rubber seal, with water pouring in at a good rate. When H & S Yacht Sales called PYI, INC they said they were not aware of this problem but would replace under warranty, then they called Hunter Marine and they said they don't use PSS Shaft Seal and where told they stopped using PSS Shaft Seals about 1 year ago because of the same problem, nice of them to notify all Hunter owners right? Be aware of this potentional problem if your boat is equiped with a PSS Shaft Seal, I replaced mine with the old style packing gland.
- Status
14 YEARS and Counting
The original PSS Shaft Seal has been on my H-35 now for some 14-plus years with no problems. It's a very simple system. Knowing how they are made I'd be really curious about the nitty-gritty details of how yours came about to fail so if you could provide some more details it would be appreciated.
The original PSS Shaft Seal has been on my H-35 now for some 14-plus years with no problems. It's a very simple system. Knowing how they are made I'd be really curious about the nitty-gritty details of how yours came about to fail so if you could provide some more details it would be appreciated.
Mine worked perfectly 5 years
I also would like to know details re: your PSS shaft seal. I have a 356 on order. I previously had an Ericson 30+ with PSS for 5 years trouble free. I know Hunter does not install them as original equipment because of the liability (the stinking lawyers). In my case I can see how, possibly, some object could have fallen into the area of the PSS, wedged there, and eventually tear a hole. The answer: scrupulously avoid anything falling into that area, and inspect the rubber bellows frequently. The rubber does NOT continually flex, like a CV joint boot on an automobile, therefore should last a VERY long time.
I also would like to know details re: your PSS shaft seal. I have a 356 on order. I previously had an Ericson 30+ with PSS for 5 years trouble free. I know Hunter does not install them as original equipment because of the liability (the stinking lawyers). In my case I can see how, possibly, some object could have fallen into the area of the PSS, wedged there, and eventually tear a hole. The answer: scrupulously avoid anything falling into that area, and inspect the rubber bellows frequently. The rubber does NOT continually flex, like a CV joint boot on an automobile, therefore should last a VERY long time.
Yes, you owe us more explanations, Russ
I will be ordering a PSS shaft seal for my new 356. Knowing its design, knowing the materials it is made of, knowing how it functions, it is hard for me to conceive HOW a failure occurred, except, as mentioned by me earlier, an object (such as, hypothetically, a can opener or screw driver) fell into that area and wedged there until it punctured the bellows (still, a difficult thing to have occured). Russ, you owe a more thorough analysis to this happening. Let's hear it. For me, I will install it, check it periodically, and make sure nothing falls into that area. Simple.. Not having to contend with drip, drip, drip, not having to forever firm up the nut is a God send. No,, a PSS by PYI send.
I will be ordering a PSS shaft seal for my new 356. Knowing its design, knowing the materials it is made of, knowing how it functions, it is hard for me to conceive HOW a failure occurred, except, as mentioned by me earlier, an object (such as, hypothetically, a can opener or screw driver) fell into that area and wedged there until it punctured the bellows (still, a difficult thing to have occured). Russ, you owe a more thorough analysis to this happening. Let's hear it. For me, I will install it, check it periodically, and make sure nothing falls into that area. Simple.. Not having to contend with drip, drip, drip, not having to forever firm up the nut is a God send. No,, a PSS by PYI send.
I'd contact PYI for an explaination.
Charles: I would contact PYI for their position on this matter. It appears that there may have been a problem with improper installation on a few units. I think that PYI sent out some locking set screws to help prevent any potential problems. I would think that loctite on the set screws would have been prudent too. There have been too many posts on this product in the past to believe that there is any wide spread problems with this product. If there were we would have seen them HERE!
Charles: I would contact PYI for their position on this matter. It appears that there may have been a problem with improper installation on a few units. I think that PYI sent out some locking set screws to help prevent any potential problems. I would think that loctite on the set screws would have been prudent too. There have been too many posts on this product in the past to believe that there is any wide spread problems with this product. If there were we would have seen them HERE!
Not Much To Go Wrong
I agree with the others. We need more information. I have had the PSS on two different boats. There is virtually nothing to go wrong with them. The only possibilities are that it came off of the shaft log, or it got hot because the seal was not "burped" before use and the seal got hot and melted the bellows. I just installed one on my P42 this spring. The bellows is so thick and stiff that I cannot imagine it getting a hole. I double clamped it to the log and then put a third clamp between them with a heavy wire going to the through bolts on the shaft log so the bellows could not slip forward. Just a little insurance.
I agree with the others. We need more information. I have had the PSS on two different boats. There is virtually nothing to go wrong with them. The only possibilities are that it came off of the shaft log, or it got hot because the seal was not "burped" before use and the seal got hot and melted the bellows. I just installed one on my P42 this spring. The bellows is so thick and stiff that I cannot imagine it getting a hole. I double clamped it to the log and then put a third clamp between them with a heavy wire going to the through bolts on the shaft log so the bellows could not slip forward. Just a little insurance.
Dripless
I had the PSS for two years and was always nervous after hearing some of these stories. I changed back to the stronger conventional stuffing box with dripless packing. No drips and the stiffer stern tube hose actually reduces some of the vibration. BTW I don't think Russ owes anyone anything. He offered his explanation!
I had the PSS for two years and was always nervous after hearing some of these stories. I changed back to the stronger conventional stuffing box with dripless packing. No drips and the stiffer stern tube hose actually reduces some of the vibration. BTW I don't think Russ owes anyone anything. He offered his explanation!
I just did the same thing
David did. The new dripless packing is something that was not around a few years ago. I have not had one drip from the stuffing box, either at the slip or underway. If I have a problem, like I did with the leaking dripless shaft seal, I can repair it in the water. I will recommend the Shaftsaver as an absolute necessity.
David did. The new dripless packing is something that was not around a few years ago. I have not had one drip from the stuffing box, either at the slip or underway. If I have a problem, like I did with the leaking dripless shaft seal, I can repair it in the water. I will recommend the Shaftsaver as an absolute necessity.
- Status