Stuffing Box

[Mike]

My stuffing box is leaking more rapidly than normal -- not yet a continuous stream, but close (60 drops per minute maybe). I'm afraid to touch it & I'm afraid to ignore it -- any advice?

 

[Wynn Ferrel]

Tighten the packing gland nut

I'm not sure which boat you have, but I have a 340 and have had the same problem. I opened up the engine compartment and found the sump full of water after running the engine for about 1 hour. I bailed and sponged about 5-6 gallons. Anyway, here's what I did to fix it. Take a wrench or channel-locks and back off the locking nut that snugs up against the packing gland nut on the shaft between the transmission and where the shaft exists the boat. (See your manual) Then (I used a pipe wrench) tighten the packing gland nut about 1/3rd turn. Observe water drip without running the engine. Should see a drip every 3-5 minutes. If still too much A BIT tighten more. Observe again. You get the idea. Too tight and the water will not lubricate the gland or shaft. (More learned minds on this sight will surely be able to give a better explanation, but you have the basic idea.) Too tight, no lubrication. Too loose your bailing water. I also read that your can turn on the engine, put the transmission in gear and you'll want to see a drop or two per minute. Hope this helps.Wynn Ferrel

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Not a difficult subject ................

...... but for peace of mind, you may want to get THE book on mechanical maintenance by Nigel Caulder (forget the exact title and mine's on the boat but any marine supplier will know it). An excellent book.This will give you an insight as to how a stuffing box works and how best to maintain it. The gland (as it is also known) may require re packing and this is something which you MAY be able to do in the water. Again, Caulder's bible is the source for this material. If you do repack, see if you can locate teflon impregnated flax for packing. I have used the same packing for two years and I get away WITHOUT LETTING IT DRIP. I know, I know ........ I'm crazy, but the shaft runs ice cold, it still has a mirror finish on the wear surface and my bilge is powder dry.Hope this helps.Regards,sv Island Hunter

 

[Bob Todd]

I got tired of the dripping...

...and installed a PSS dripless seal. Took me less than 3 hours to install and works flawlessly. Linkage below to pictures.Cheers,Bob

 

[Ron Johnson]

Dripless

No need to fuss with packing glands. Upgrade to a dripless (PSS, PYI, etc.) and experience a dry bilge.Sailkota