Stuffing Box Tube

[Jeff M10656]

After lauch of our 1988 C30 MKII, I noticed a small stream of water coming from the rubber tubing that connects the packing box to the prop shaft thru hull (fiberglass tube part of hull). I repalced the clamps that hold the tube to the stuffing box and the clamps that attacht it tothe hull as well. No avail....still seeping water. I was going to wrap the pipe and see if that stopped the leak, but there is so little room under the pipe and between the hull,that I would not be able to get the clamps back on. I am in a quandry of deciding if to live with it for this year. Or haul out and fix..... I have watched it for a few hours at at time and the wate is not coming from the packing/stuffing box. If I haul, I am assuming it is the 4" long tube (looks like a piece of exhaust hose) that is rotted and seeping water. In case I do haul, so I can have the parts at the ready..... my question (finally), is what is the diameter of this tube? and could there be any other issues that I am missing. Could the fiberglass shaft tube be cracked/damaged??? Thanks for any and all input... Jeff Martin

 

[Glenn]

Stuffing box

Jeff:My 84 C30 has started to drip at the stuffing box in the last month. In the research I have done on stuffing boxes the problem you mention has come up. Check the archives over the last 3 or 4 years. I've been doing so much reading lately that the problem you describe could have been in Nigel Calders book on maintenance. You say it is the hose and not the stuffing box. The fix, as I recall, is to disconnect the trans from the shaft, may also require pulling the shaft. After replacing the hose you must realign the shaft. Check the archives and the book because I'm relaying this from memory.

 

[Bob Long]

Hull and fix it now.

Jeff:It sounds like the tube is rotten or damaged. If it fails you will have a bilge full of trouble. Haul now and replace this hose. While hauled check the condition of the cutlass bearing and shaft. Recenter the shaft in the fiberglass tube and double clamp each end. Make sure the shaft is not scored at the stuffing box and repack. I use teflon flax type packing. Next you will have to aleign the engine to the shaft after you are back in the water. Be sure to wire the machine screws that hold the shaft flange to the shaft. Good luck.