I replaced the stuffing in the stuffing box during the winter as too much water was from coming into the boat all the time (a drip a second all the time). Now I have no water coming in at all. The yard mechanic tells me that there should be no water coming in when the shaft is not turning and a slight drip when shaft is spinning. Does anyone know the answer?
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Try this link which explains...
I wrote this before they invented e-marine gore tex material, could use that, too. And read the other recent post on this same subject.
I wrote this before they invented e-marine gore tex material, could use that, too. And read the other recent post on this same subject.
Stuffing Box Flow
Your yard mechanic is wrong. When re-packing your stuffing box the rule of thumb is 3 to 4 drips per minute with the prop shaft stationary. To set this condition up with a new packing gland let the box drip at a a higher rate, say 10 to 20 drops per minute. Let it do so for a day or so. The packing should swell and the drip rate slow down. Tighten the box if neccessary to slow the rate back to 3 to 4 drops per minute. Check the drip rate while underway. You should have a much higher rate while motoring. The water cools the shaft and prolongs the life of the packing.
Your yard mechanic is wrong. When re-packing your stuffing box the rule of thumb is 3 to 4 drips per minute with the prop shaft stationary. To set this condition up with a new packing gland let the box drip at a a higher rate, say 10 to 20 drops per minute. Let it do so for a day or so. The packing should swell and the drip rate slow down. Tighten the box if neccessary to slow the rate back to 3 to 4 drops per minute. Check the drip rate while underway. You should have a much higher rate while motoring. The water cools the shaft and prolongs the life of the packing.
Be careful about advice
Stephen's answer is correct if you are using ONLY standard flax packing. If you are using any of the newer varieties of "dripless" packing, there should be NO drips at rest. Maybe, maybe, some during operation. One of the basic concepts about "dripless" packing is that when at rest the packing gland isn't dripping so that the bilge pump doesn't have to work when you're away from the boat. It also reduces dripping while in motion.
Stephen's answer is correct if you are using ONLY standard flax packing. If you are using any of the newer varieties of "dripless" packing, there should be NO drips at rest. Maybe, maybe, some during operation. One of the basic concepts about "dripless" packing is that when at rest the packing gland isn't dripping so that the bilge pump doesn't have to work when you're away from the boat. It also reduces dripping while in motion.
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