Volvo dripless shaftseal - leaking

[galynd]

My model 2000 Beneteau 36cc has a volvo dripless shaftseal which is leaking. It generally drips about every 10 seconds. When the motor is running that rate varies but usually drips faster. Are there any adjustments I can make to the seal to stop the leak, short of pulling the boat and replacing the seal? I have greased it but that didn't stop the leak.

Thanks, Greg.

[DougR]

There are no adjustments that can be made to the shaft seal. When its worn out, its worn out.

The only thing that might help slow down the drip is a waterproof wheel bearing grease. Other than that, its time for a new seal.

DougR

[barnakiel]

How old is it? If your boat is 2000 and if the seal is 16 years old then you may like to read what Volvo says about life of these seals.

Here why it may leak:
- old or worn,
- engine/shaft out of line,
- dirt on the shaft (e.g. salt),
- prop beating.

Here what you can do before you replace yours:
- make sure you have excellent access to the part,
- SLIGHTLY ease the two bolts, SLIGHTLY!
- turn the fitting 60 degrees,
- TIGHTEN the bolts, I repeat TIGHTEN them,
- start the engine check for leak,
- repeat till you find the angle when it leaks least.

Mind working under water level you do not want to flood the boat. If you ease the bolts too much, water may push the seal off the tube. I have done this a dozen times on our boat and never flooded her.

These fittings come in metric and imperial. When buying a replacement, measure your shaft carefully. They are not interchangeable.

Make sure the hull external 'vent' holes on the shaft assembly are not clogged - this seal is cooled by water sucked in from the outside of the hull.

Hope this helps.
b.