Dripless Stuffing Box Help

[wolfenzee]

The stuffing box on my boat looked like a regular stuffing box with the useual drip, of course it always seems like too much, so when I got around to tightening it I noticed mine had a Zert fitting.....I pumped it full of grease and it doesn't leak a drop.

[RigelKent]

Stumbled on this thread researching my own 'dripless' seal - it's at the back of a Volvo Penta and is exactly like the one below.

Can anyone tell me what part no. 5, in the diagram below is? This is a plastic, or possibly delrin, part that apparently goes over the shaft and into/under the seal.

Is part no. 5 actually meant to be inserted into the rubber bellows when the shaft is rotating, or is it just a tool for lubricating the seal? Or possibly has some other purpose. I found a couple of these sitting around in my boat's original toolbox and had no idea at all that they were part of the seal until reading this old thread.

I've tried lubricating the seal, which helped reduce the drips, but still get an influx of water when under power or when waves rock the stern.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can shed light on this part.

Originally Posted by cat man do

Is that one of these rubber stuffing box? http://www.volvopenta.com/sitecollectiondocuments/penta/parts%20brochures/rubber%20stuffing%20box%20(eng).pdf

[senormechanico]

I've had two PSS seals on two boats. I've loved both of them.
The first one needed a replacement bellows after about ten years. That was in 1996 or so.
When motoring at 6.5 knots, it started to piss water. We backed off to 6.2 and no water leaked at all. All it took was the installation of a new bellows which we did while in the water. It took about ten minutes start to finish.

A PSS shaft seal obviously wouldn't work on a sub as it works with slight compressive force on a water lubricated bearing.
When a submarine submerges, the pressure would push its way past the seal.

Different application entirely.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by RigelKent

... Can anyone tell me what part no. 5, in the diagram below is? This is a plastic, or possibly delrin, part that apparently goes over the shaft and into/under the seal.

Is part no. 5 actually meant to be inserted into the rubber bellows when the shaft is rotating ...

I believe that #5 is a universal adapter sleeve.

[Vasco]

Part #5 (the red thingsmajig) is for lubing the seal. At least that's what I think it's for. One was close to the seal when I got my boat. I slip it over the seacock handle on the thru-hull that goes to the seal just so I know where it is.

If your seal is dripping it should be replaced. I think Volvo says they're good for 500 hours.

[nigel1]

I think Part 5 is to protect the seal when sliding the new seal on over the end of the prop shaft

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by nigel1

I think Part 5 is to protect the seal when sliding the new seal on over the end of the prop shaft

That would be my guess. Are there not any instructions anywhere?

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by nigel1

I think Part 5 is to protect the seal when sliding the new seal on over the end of the prop shaft

Thats what I have seen them used for.

[Redcoat]

Maybe it's for burping. The flange looks like a grip for backing the bellows off the stop. Used when going back in the water after haulout

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by nigel1

I think Part 5 is to protect the seal when sliding the new seal on over the end of the prop shaft

Never thought of that.

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

That would be my guess. Are there not any instructions anywhere?

There you go Del, page 2 for the english version.'

Looking at the date on the instructions, they have been around some time, must prove something

[Redcoat]

I must be burping the beer today.

[RigelKent]

Thanks kindly for the PDF and comments. Adding the shaft seal to my list for the upcoming haul out.

[ShaunJ]

Originally Posted by nigel1

I think Part 5 is to protect the seal when sliding the new seal on over the end of the prop shaft

I agree, I just replaced mine and this is what the directions said.
I may be able to post them in English if needed.

[RigelKent]

That's OK, I'm good with the PDF (page 2 is in english). Thanks the same for all the ready help. I'm going to need the stern tube's lubricating water hose re-attached as well. Since the shaft will have to be removed from the transmission/reverse gear to replace the shaft seal, I will have the reverse gear serviced also to replace seals and o-rings at the same time. Two, err... three ... birds with one stone.