Help! Leak from prop shaft. any advice to fix myself?

[chriscraft1994]

SERIOUS LEAK FROM ONE PROP SHAFT AND MINOR LEAK FROM OTHER PROP SHAFT. ILL ATTACH PICS OF LEAK AND SET UP. If anyone out there knows how to tighten, please let me know. No one around here seems to know how to fix it. thanks in advance. It has not been tighten in aprox 5 years.

[stillbuilding]

Maybe just tightening up the adjusting bolts or may need re-packing. If us like one I incurred on a project boat it may need new shaft seal completely ! Probably just a clean up and tighten a little though.

[donradcliffe]

Tighten the 2 bolts till the leak slows down to 2-4 drops/minute. If you overtighten, the seal will get too hot when you are running at cruising speed (warm is OK).

[Capt Phil]

Check alignment on the serious leak... you may have burned out the packing. Make sure you have some water coming in otherwise the seal will burn up and only solution may be to pull and replace. Good luck, Phil

[Irish rambler]

Check to see if there's a grease nipple or Stauffel cup, if there is, use grease gun for 5/6 strokes, half turn the shaft and 5/6 strokes. If a Stauffel cup unscrew it, fill with grease and tighten. Run the boat in gear for approx. 5 mins, check for leaks, if still leaking tighten each of the 2 nuts on the stern gland half a turn alternately until the leak is down to once every 20 seconds or so.
I would suggest you check it on a regular basis in future.
An alternative replacement to the seal you show is a PSS seal, I can highly recommend them from practical use.

[chriscraft1994]

Okay. There is no grease fitting. Its cooled or lubricated by pressurized water. Ill try to clean the area off with brake cleaner, then spray some PB blaster on screws then attempt to tighten 1/2 turn each bolt until leak stops. Ill let you know how it goes....... thanks for your help. Is there any website that shows how to rebuild this type of stern gland???

[Kettlewell]

Careful you don't overtighten. There should be a drip once in awhile--like every couple of minutes at the most, but not multiple times a minute. The packing may be worn out and need to be replaced. If you overtighten the packing gland and seal will feel very hot to the touch. They might normally get a bit warm when running, but not hot. Needless to say, be very careful around the turning shafts when the engine is running and the shafts are turning! No loose clothing or long hair allowed!

[Emmalina]

Gave up with packing glands a few years back. Could never get it happy it was always too much or too little and went PSS shaft seal... Very happy with the results. Saving up to carry a spare LOL