Max prop issue

[Markhunter1097]

Greasing my max prop during the yearly anti foul, I noticed grease coming out of what appears to be a join.
Am sure it is not supposed to do that, but also wonder how long I have till the entire thing falls off, and if it is repairable
Any thoughts?

[Kalinka1]

Originally Posted by Markhunter1097

Greasing my max prop during the yearly anti foul, I noticed grease coming out of what appears to be a join.
Am sure it is not supposed to do that, but also wonder how long I have till the entire thing falls off, and if it is repairableAttachment 155783
Any thoughts?

Good morning. they are designed to do that. there is a vertical joint just foreward of the prop and a horizontal joint behind that where the grease is coming out. if the grease is coming out it is displacing any water that got in. You could try tightening the 6 allen bolts holding the two halves together a 1/4 turn or so. they're held in with split pins. Hope this helps.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Kalinka1

...they are designed to do that...

This is correct. There is no seal there, only a precision machined fit between 2 pieces of metal.

[fstbttms]

From the installation instructions:

"...fill the propeller with grease until the grease starts to come out between the blades and the spinners."

Why do Aussies haul and paint annually? I have never understood that.

[Markhunter1097]

Thanks for your replies, feel much better now that this is all ok and the prop is not about to fall off. I've always seen the grease come out along the circumference, but this was the first time I've seen it along the horizontal, maybe I'll tighten those screws as mentioned
Thanks again

[Markhunter1097]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

From the installation instructions:

"...fill the propeller with grease until the grease starts to come out between the blades and the spinners."

Why do Aussies haul and paint annually? I have never understood that.

Yearly antifoul? Sure you can wipe the bottom in the water, but after 3/4 in water cleans the ain't is all gone. Greasing the prop underwater is possible, yet removing the grub screws to put the grease nipple in is impossible underwater
Removing tea staining on waterline, cleaning out thru hulls, replacing anodes, and a good hull polish. All much easier out of water

[jamhass]

There is a modification that makes greasing underwater far more convenient.

Drill and tap the end fitting for a small zirc fitting (right at the centerline.) The zinc has a relief on its backside already, so there are no clearance issues. You will likely need to replace the zirc fitting every few years, but the residual grease does a good job of protecting it.

PYI will do this mod if you need to send in the prop for a refurbishing.

[sailah]

My Maxprop does this with grease as well. I've completely disassembled mine for cutlass removing and it literally is just 2 machined surfaces as the gasket. The hydraulic pressure of the grease gun forces the grease out. I've found that if you pump enough grease in, it will "lock up" the prop. So I pump up to that point, remove the zirc fitting and then rotate the prop back and forth and let excess push itself out. The prop feels normal again. I do the same for both zircs, then reinstall the set screws.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Markhunter1097

Yearly antifoul? Sure you can wipe the bottom in the water, but after 3/4 in water cleans the paint is all gone.

That's funny. Because here in California we clean boats all the time. Anywhere from every 3 weeks to every 3 months, depending upon where the boat lives, etc. And we typically get 3 years or so out of a bottom job. But hey, if paying to haulout every year is your thing, knock yourself out.

Originally Posted by Markhunter1097

Greasing the prop underwater is possible, yet removing the grub screws to put the grease nipple in is impossible underwater

Yeah, gonna have to disagree with you on that one, chief. You know, considering I just did it two days ago and all.

https://youtu.be/EiGowIK-GGI

[Markhunter1097]

Nice job, if I did it Davy Jones would get the grub screws and probably the zirc fitting too. I do get the 15 yo to put new anodes on, and even he goes thru 3 Allen keys each time. We also have lots of fish swimming past and everyone is initially thought of as a man eater! Adding to inwater nerves