Stuffing Box

[thaeni]

I decided to check my stuffing box for the condition of the flax.
I was surprised to find there was no flax at all in the box. The strange
thing is I never had any leaks all summer. Was I just lucky or am I
missing something ?
Picture attached

 

[Nom De Guerre]

The flax is in behind the metal washer that you'll see if you position a mirror so that you can see into the barrel of the box.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I can't copy a link from the mobile app, but if you search for a thread called 'Nylon stuffing box repack' you'll get a hit about that very box, with pictures.

 

[thaeni]

I did use a mirror and there is no sign of flax in the barrel.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I did use a mirror and there is no sign of flax in the barrel.

Inconceivable! I need that system.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I've always maintained that a stuffing box could be run dry without complications and now we've got a stuffing box that not only runs dry but has no packing in it as well.

I've just got to get out more often.

Can you provide a few more details such as: when did you last packed it, when was it last inspected.

Any chance that it may have been packed by a yard using WM moldable packing and they forgot to use flax backing rings. I think at this stage we've REALLY got to start looking at some far out theories. Roswell has nothing on this .

 

[Warren Milberg]

This is what the innards of the Hunter OEM white nylon stuffing box should like... From your picture, it appears to me that your shaft is pretty badly corroded and may need to be resurfaced or replaced.