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Old 06-05-2011, 08:35   #1
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Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

I supposed this has been debated already several times, but I need info:

-I have on my boat a dripless shaft seal (I love it, having had so many problem before with stuffing on other boats)
-I read on PSS web site that no maintenance is necessary, only a change of the rubber cast every 6 years(!)

I'll be glad to share knowledge with boaters having also the same kind of shaft sael.
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:06   #2
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

I have a PSS dripless shaft seal and like it alot. It was on the boat when I bought it. It's an older model without the vent tubing to remove air. The only thing I do is pull back the rubber bellows each month and after haulout to remove any air that might of accumilated. No problems after 5 years

Paul
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:09   #3
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

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I have a PSS dripless shaft seal and like it alot. It was on the boat when I bought it. It's an older model without the vent tubing to remove air. The only thing I do is pull back the rubber bellows each month and after haulout to remove any air that might of accumilated. No problems after 5 years
Paul

Paul,
Can you elaborate a little. I'm not so good a mechanic... what do you mean by pulling back the rubber etc...
How do you do that? any precautions you have to take etc...
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:11   #4
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

you need to "burp" them on relaunch to remove air. There needs to be water at the seal interface

dave
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:13   #5
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

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Originally Posted by goboatingnow View Post
you need to "burp" them on relaunch to remove air. There needs to be water at the seal interface

dave
Thanks
And how do you do that?
Alec
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:34   #6
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

I have the PSS dripless seals. You'll notice the tubing goes to one of the exhaust manifolds. I was told this was to put warm water into the seal to prevent marine growth....LL
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:38   #7
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

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Thanks
And how do you do that?
Alec
Squeeze the seal so that the sealing lip comes away from the shaft, and allows water through.
I believe that a smear of silicone grease around the seal lip is good.
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Old 06-05-2011, 09:45   #8
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alecadi View Post
Thanks
And how do you do that?
Alec
You grasp the forward end of the black rubber accordianed sheath over the shaft and pull/push it aft away from the stainless steel disc that is attached to the shaft. Water will immediately flood through this opening along with any trapped air. ....or.... If supplied, there will be a port covered by a rubber cap at the forward end of the black rubber portion and this port can be uncovered to release air. Many, like myself, affix a 3/8" hose (fuel line) to this port and lead it to a point that is a couple feet above the waterline at the center of the boat. By doing this, air would never be retained within the dripless seal.
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Old 06-05-2011, 10:11   #9
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

Just read the PSS Web site. Boats under 12 knots use the tubing for a vent. Boats over 12 knots: For high-speed vessels it is required that a water supply be plumbed to the PSS for the purpose of cooling and lubricating the seal faces (i.e.,at over approximately 12 knots of speed a vacuum is created in the stern tube and water is drawn away from the PSS resulting in a loss of cooling water that may cause the carbon to over heat).....LL
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Old 06-05-2011, 10:20   #10
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

I didn't realize there was a maintance schedule! I was talking to another dock member and he said there was.

This is what I found at PSS Shaft Seal

"As with any rubber hose below waterline, the PSS bellows must be inspected on a regular basis for any sign of wear, aging or chemical deterioration. PYI suggests preventative maintenance. The PSS bellow should be replaced in six year intervals. During bellows replacement it is recommended the o-rings & set screws in the stainless steel rotor also be replaced.
Bellows may need to be more frequently inspected in an environment where non-sealed batteries emit sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid vapor will accelerate rubber deterioration, as will an ozonater."
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Old 06-05-2011, 10:26   #11
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

Thank you all...

I love this forum..

I'm getting smarter everyday!!
(smart) Alec
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Old 06-05-2011, 10:46   #12
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

Alecadi,

Follow this instruction to Burp your shaft seal and remove a the air until water drips out.

Mark
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Old 06-05-2011, 11:43   #13
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

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Alecadi,

Follow this instruction to Burp your shaft seal and remove a the air until water drips out.

Mark
Tks
Alec
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Old 06-05-2011, 15:12   #14
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

Our shaft seal is apparently similar to but not PSS.

It however drips. Mechanic said that there was a scratch on the forward ceramic disc.

It does not drip much and will stop after about 36 hours of not running.

Anyway of polishing it out?

If not I was thinking of going back to a traditional seal with some of the new materials.
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Old 06-05-2011, 15:30   #15
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Re: Dripless Shaft Seal Maintenance

I started out with the PSS with no irrigation tube, and later upgraded to the irrigated model, which I've had much better luck with. (We have a cutlass bearing in the far end of a 3' sterntube), and there wasn't quite enough water flow.

I really like my PSS, & have used this one successfully for 7 years now with no problem.

Previously I had the SS rotor slip up the shaft, and let water into the boat! (The grub screws were still tight, but their far ends became rounded). If we had not been a trimaran, we would've sunk.

I prevented this from EVER happening again with a doughnut Zinc as a back up, nestled up against the rotor with a small bead of caulk down the middle of the faces.

It is good, CHEAP insurance!

Mark
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