A couple of weeks ago there was a report of a PSS bellows springing a leak. I thought, wow. I had one on my last boat for at least 6 years without a problem. I now have a 4 year old Hunter 420 that has had the PSS factory installed. No problem. Saturday I moved the boat for the first time in about a month. The bellows was ruptured in a couple of places and was gushing water. The bilge pump was keeping up. I immediately used the old standard "duct tape" to stem the flow to a small trickel. I went to the hardware store and purchased silicon repair tape. This product completely sealed the leak. I'm hauling the boat this Friday, so maybe we can determine what happened to the bellows. The man at the boat yard said that possibly there was a salt buildup on the stainless steel flange and maybe it stuck to the graphite and torqued the bellows when put into gear. He asked if I wanted to change to a stuffing box. I'm going to replace the bellows at this time and keep the PSS. I had a lot of things to do the next time the boat is hauled. Just didn't think that I would have to do it for a few more months. Bill Bell "Bella"
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Thanks for the Post
You had a good write-up explaining in detail what you experienced. When you haul and get an opportunity to examine things closer to shed some light how this might have happened maybe you could put up another post. You didn't say anything about contacting the folks at PYI (they also have an 800 number), but on this and other things I've bought from them (PSS shaft seal, Max Prop, R&D Marine shaft coupling)they have been more than helpful.
You had a good write-up explaining in detail what you experienced. When you haul and get an opportunity to examine things closer to shed some light how this might have happened maybe you could put up another post. You didn't say anything about contacting the folks at PYI (they also have an 800 number), but on this and other things I've bought from them (PSS shaft seal, Max Prop, R&D Marine shaft coupling)they have been more than helpful.
PYI Response
The people at PYI agreed that it could be the boat setting for a month and salt deposits between the surfaces of the seal forming. (My old boat always set for a couple of months in the summer between operation with no problem.) I told them that the boat bottom, prop and shaft were cleaned about 2 weeks ago. They then thought that the diver's exhaust air could have filled the seal and let it run without water. (Have always had a diver clean the old boat monthly as well.) Who knows, when we get it taken apart next week, maybe there might be something to see as a problem. I never mentioned it but the engine and drive train has only about 170 hours on it and am using the PYI Max Prop. Will post more as I find out more. Bill
The people at PYI agreed that it could be the boat setting for a month and salt deposits between the surfaces of the seal forming. (My old boat always set for a couple of months in the summer between operation with no problem.) I told them that the boat bottom, prop and shaft were cleaned about 2 weeks ago. They then thought that the diver's exhaust air could have filled the seal and let it run without water. (Have always had a diver clean the old boat monthly as well.) Who knows, when we get it taken apart next week, maybe there might be something to see as a problem. I never mentioned it but the engine and drive train has only about 170 hours on it and am using the PYI Max Prop. Will post more as I find out more. Bill
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