pss shaft seal

[dlewis812]

from replies from another forum seems this is an issue of the carbon seals. having little/no knowledge of this system planning to take over to the marina to work on.

however if i were to at least inspect the situation could someone walk me through the steps and what i might look for (yes, like you were speaking with a child!) thanks for you help

[Sailorman375]

If it's a new seal some carbon dust is to be expected for a short time I think. That looks like quite a bit though.

[perchance]

It may have been run dry for a while.

[mikereed100]

You might try stuffing some rags around the shaft at the shaft log, then backing out the set screws on the stainless collar. You could then back the collar off towards the tranny and have a look at what is causing all that dust.

[David M]

That amount of dust is abnormal. There is supposed to be a thin layer of water between the stainless and the carbon that acts as a lubricant. My guess is that for some reason the stainless is making direct contact with the carbon, either all of it or part of it.

Perhaps the block is pressing too tight or perhaps there is is uneven pressure?

There is only supposed to be a very light pressure. It should be very easy to pull the carbon block back and cause a leak.

Take a look at it while the engine is up to speed with the propeller engaged. Is there any wobbling or anything else that does not look right?

[bruce smith]

The bellows need to be "burped" at each launching. If run dry, heat , noise(squeeling) and wear(dust) will result.
But wait! The one pictured is water injected, so the next thing I would look at is shaft/ engine alignment. A stuffing box can put the shaft out of wack. There is usually only one bearing , the cutlass in the back, and, being in the middleish of a shaft usually, the sb can push a little on the shaft,
Or, if the shaft is oscillating, the licks will show up right there.
If you loosen it up , remember there are 2 set screws in each hole, they are "piled" on each other.

[Blue Stocking]

PSS has everything you need to know on their website.

[perchance]

Are these seals similar to the industrial variety with a ceramic and a carbon seal face?

[noelex 77]

It also pays to put a hose clamp, anode ( or the special collar) in front of the stainless steel ring. If the grub screws in the ring slip the ring can slide forward with a big leak.

[chrisjs]

If you pull back the bellows you should have water "leak" into the boat. If no water, this would certainly cause the dry friction condition that grinds up the carbon rings.