PYI PSS dripless shaft seal NOISY??

[LoriPetersen]

I'm considering having the PYI PSS dripless shaft seal installed on my Hunter Legend 35.5, but my yard tells me there's an 80% chance it will be very noisy because of the vibration from the engine (Yanmar 3GM30F). He described the sound as being "like rocks rolling around in the bottom of the boat" and I'd probably prefer a little water in the bilge. Is this true? I've read dozens of posts about this system but no one has mentioned noise issues. I've read up on all the choices of packing material, so no need to go there, just want to know if there's any info out there on the noise issue. THANKS in advance!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Great imagination by whoever in your yard told you that. I could put it differently but...
Dripless shaft seals don't create noise and especially not as you were told. Did this person in your yard actually imply that having water in the bilge is good for noise suppression or was he referring to the leak from the traditional packing?

If your shaft makes noise, it's not from the packing and it certainly won't be from the dripless packing seal. No offense toward you but do yourself a big favor and find another source of information at your yard.

 

[Honeyman]

I'm with Don, but I think I'd go farther and find a new "yard" all together! My PSS dripless, installed on a '94 35.5 for the past 4 years, including being moved from salt to fresh overland almost 1000 miles is totally silent and totally dry. No reason for it to do what they are saying.

 

[walmsleyc]

Installed one on my Legend 35

I've been very happy.

I can speculate as to what the yard may be talking about. A traditional packing will also provide some support for the shaft, and reduce vibration in the shaft somewhat. The PPS Shaft seal provides very little lateral support. If you boat (shaft, engine, etc) had a tendency for vibration beforehand, and if your shaft was not well centered in the log, then installing a PSS Shaft seal may allow your shaft to "knock" against the log under some circumstances.

On my boat, the motor mounts are old and soft, and when under power, and taking a hard turn, the motor leans a little, and the shaft will sometime knock against the side of the log (did this before and after the PSS Shaft seal).

I've adjusted the motor mounts to improve how the shaft was centered in the log, and this had made a large difference in this behaviour. I would also get this "knocking", upon startup, just for a short period of time until all the cylinders were firing properly. The engine was just vibrating lots, and thus the shaft would knock against the log.

So ... The PSS Shaft seal, on its own, should not make any noise if installed properly.

How that helps.

Chris

 

[BLIGHT]

Add One More

As for stipless seal noise, as fellow responders have mentioned it is not caused but the dripless seal. I have installed one about 4 years ago on my 35.5 and have not had a problem and would recomend the change.

Bob

 

[LoriPetersen]

Thanks for your responses

Yes, I think he was referring to the shaft against the shaft log. After talking with Dan at PYI I think I'll make the change. He said if it's not rattling against the shaft log now, then it shouldn't with the PSS and he has never heard of this problem (assuming correct installation). Looking forward to a dry bilge!

 

[John Nantz]

Me thinks the yard guy....

... has rocks in his head!

I'm with the previous posters. I've had the PSS shaft seal on my H-35 now for just under 20 years (!!!) and have never heard of such a thing.

Tip: one thing I've done is put a spare shaft zinc next to the "donut" on the transmission side just for insurance to prevent the donut from sliding up the shaft. The set screws should be set pretty tight. Note, however, that if the zinc is a bit out of balance this could cause some shaft vibration.