Been a trying year so far. Just got boat in and went put for trial run. Had to adjust stuffing box, leaking like a sieve. Think it may be too tight, water coming out a little but it was gray to black color. Heard this may be packing material starting to burn. Can I just loosen or do I need to re-pack? Ran engine for a total of 2 hours before I noticed. Hopefully did not hurt shaft. Also ran through some tall weeds in shallow water. With a wing keel this puts quite a drag on boat. Twice while dredging through weeds black smoke came out of exhaust in water. I just throttled down, let it idle than proceeded. After got put of weeds it appeared to be alright. Any thoughts.
Stuffing box and black smoke
- Thread starter bigsick
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Think It's Time for a Repack .....................
........................ if you're showing possibly burned material. Once packing gets burned, most of its sealing properties would be compromised. Remember, the nut shouldn't require much more than hand tightening to snug the packing. Wrenches are only for cinching up the lock nut against the gland nut.
black exhaust when in weeds
been there - done that ..... I just threw it into neutral and drifted a bit while I tried to figure out what happened ... reversed for a few seconds, then back to forward and all seemed well again.
been there - done that ..... I just threw it into neutral and drifted a bit while I tried to figure out what happened ... reversed for a few seconds, then back to forward and all seemed well again.
If the packing is new9ish) it may just be dry ( from being out of the water) and is leaking due same. Or it could be shot and need replaced.
The black smoke is normal and unless it happens under normal conditions I'd not worry myself. Think you diagnosed that one all by yourself!!!! Welcome to SWEAT (Society of Workers Engaged in Ancient Trades)
The black smoke is normal and unless it happens under normal conditions I'd not worry myself. Think you diagnosed that one all by yourself!!!! Welcome to SWEAT (Society of Workers Engaged in Ancient Trades)
Thank you for all suggestions. There was a good amount of weed debris in water strainer also. Cleaned that out, should be fine as long as I stay away from the weeds. Lake Erie is tough. Stuffing material is 10 years old and boat was in water two weeks before I sailed, so it was not dry, probably just tightened the nut too much. I do not want to take out of water to re-pack, can I loosen to allow more drip and motor or will it ruin the shaft.
You should be able to repack the gland while in the water. Just think about all the steps before you start and have a working bilge pump. I can email you with how I do it if necessary.
Not a Problem .........................
........................... to do it in the water and not get too wet (actually, not at all).
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Re: Re-pack in water
Bigstick:
Check your private message folder for a note from me on this topic.
Bigstick:
Check your private message folder for a note from me on this topic.
Stuffing box? Hmm, a new topic???
Here's a link Warren might send you to, which includes a link to Maine SAil's fien discussion:
Repacking a Stuffing Box 101 - by Maine Sail: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=775788&highlight=stuffing%20box There are also lots of articles in the C34 Tech wiki. http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box
Yes, you can and SHOULD do it in the water.
Here's a link Warren might send you to, which includes a link to Maine SAil's fien discussion:
Repacking a Stuffing Box 101 - by Maine Sail: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=775788&highlight=stuffing%20box There are also lots of articles in the C34 Tech wiki. http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Stuffing_box
Yes, you can and SHOULD do it in the water.
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