I had a leak somewhere. Engine bilge area constantly full of clear/clean water. Bilge pumping running more often that I think it should have.
Finally figured out the leak was coming out/around the stuffing box big packing nut...forward of the small "bulkhead" that seperates the engine bilge from the from the stuffing box bilge. So the water was flowing into the engine bilge and then through the overflow hole into the main bilge.
Adjusted the stuffing box several months ago to correct a similar leak by tightening down on the two stuffing box nuts (the thin one and the big packing gland nut). Replaced two wraps of packing gland...that was all we could pull out and put in. Still had a "small" leak that seemed to not leak when prop not turning but leaking some when running at high RPM. I figured that was good...kept things cool.
But now the leak was much worse...filled the engine bilge to overflowing in less than 18 hours. So I spun the thin nut aft and then tightened the big packing gland nut down onto it. Pretty sure it is a good bit tighter than last time.
But now I have no leak at all at any time. Engine bilge stays completely dry. Prop shaft stays completely dry. But now the prop shaft and large packing gland nut feel pretty warm to the touch after the prop has been turning for a while.
Is that okay? Should I loosen to allow a little bit of a leak? Appreciate any thoughts/advice on this issue.
Cheers,
Jim
Finally figured out the leak was coming out/around the stuffing box big packing nut...forward of the small "bulkhead" that seperates the engine bilge from the from the stuffing box bilge. So the water was flowing into the engine bilge and then through the overflow hole into the main bilge.
Adjusted the stuffing box several months ago to correct a similar leak by tightening down on the two stuffing box nuts (the thin one and the big packing gland nut). Replaced two wraps of packing gland...that was all we could pull out and put in. Still had a "small" leak that seemed to not leak when prop not turning but leaking some when running at high RPM. I figured that was good...kept things cool.
But now the leak was much worse...filled the engine bilge to overflowing in less than 18 hours. So I spun the thin nut aft and then tightened the big packing gland nut down onto it. Pretty sure it is a good bit tighter than last time.
But now I have no leak at all at any time. Engine bilge stays completely dry. Prop shaft stays completely dry. But now the prop shaft and large packing gland nut feel pretty warm to the touch after the prop has been turning for a while.
Is that okay? Should I loosen to allow a little bit of a leak? Appreciate any thoughts/advice on this issue.
Cheers,
Jim