Service Volvo Dripless Shaft Seal - Stuffing Box

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by JusDreaming

I use a "Lubriplate" grease, with a west system hypodermic like syringe. Just stick it under the lip and give it a squeeze
https://www.lubriplate.com/Online-St...0-oz-tube.aspx

I use a straw from MacDonalds.

Pete

[Pete7]

The picture ErikFinn posted in June showing a vent tube isn't part of the volvo seal. Probably left over from a previous but different type of seal.

Pete

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Pete7

I use a straw from MacDonalds.

Pete

Thats more fattening. Especially if it's Supersized.

[ErikFinn]

Originally Posted by Pete7

The picture ErikFinn posted in June showing a vent tube isn't part of the volvo seal. Probably left over from a previous but different type of seal.

Pete

Hehe thank you Sir!
After nearly 16 months I finally get my answer

[calbergen]

Hi all. Has anyone changed these seals while the boat is in the water or underway - under sail? Would love to carry a spare and do this if necessary. My Volvo seal is on a 38s5 Ben. First and has a hose leading to above waterline drain from the rear of the seal housing.


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[ErikFinn]

Originally Posted by calbergen

Hi all. Has anyone changed these seals while the boat is in the water or underway - under sail? Would love to carry a spare and do this if necessary. My Volvo seal is on a 38s5 Ben. First and has a hose leading to above waterline drain from the rear of the seal housing.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

I think I have seen a video here about that. You should try the search. Can you post a pic about your described "hose leading to above waterline drain from the rear of the seal housing" I'd be very interested to see if its similar to mine; some posts back.

[Boater3]

Hello All!

I stumbled upon this thread trying to figure out what maintenance is needed on my Volvo dripless shaft seals. (See my setup in the picture attached)

I will admit that I did not know about burping them... have put several hundred hours on... is there a way to check to see if they are damaged and in need of replacement? If they do need to be replaced, must the boat be out of the water? Does the shaft have to be disconnected from the transmission and then everything realigned after?

Also, can someone please explain more clearly how to inject grease with a straw? I am assuming this must be done while the boat is out of the water? A youtube video would be great if anyone has found one please do share!

Thank you!

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by mystery

I will admit that I did not know about burping them... have put several hundred hours on... is there a way to check to see if they are damaged and in need of replacement? If they do need to be replaced, must the boat be out of the water? Does the shaft have to be disconnected from the transmission and then everything realigned after?

Also, can someone please explain more clearly how to inject grease with a straw? I am assuming this must be done while the boat is out of the water? A youtube video would be great if anyone has found one please do share!

Thank you!

Well they start to leak if they are worn out, so if yours doesn't then burp it and add some grease. I have gone back to using Volvo grease rather than a tin I had on board. Its thicker and seems to last better. I had a drip with the thinner stuff on board. I cut the corner off the grease capsule and push the straw in so there is about two sugar cubes size of grease in the straw. Then stuff the straw in the seal (gearbox end) and squash the grease along the straw to inject it into the seal. The two lip seals you are trying to grease are about 3/4" inside the seal. You won't get all the grease in hence needing two cubes of grease and hope one will lube the seals.

To replace the seal, the shaft has to be freed from the gearbox to enable the old seal to be slid along the shaft and removed, then the new seal fitted. So whilst this could be done in the water, I prefer to dry out and do it. Alignment of the shaft shouldn't be a problem afterwards, but if you have a rope cutter fitted that could be a problem if you are in the water depending on type.

The Volvo steel clip needs a bit of a fight to fit.

There is a red lip protector clip in the box, to fit whilst sliding the new seal along the shaft, don't loose it.

Pete

[Boater3]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Well they start to leak if they are worn out, so if yours doesn't then burp it and add some grease. I have gone back to using Volvo grease rather than a tin I had on board. Its thicker and seems to last better. I had a drip with the thinner stuff on board. I cut the corner off the grease capsule and push the straw in so there is about two sugar cubes size of grease in the straw. Then stuff the straw in the seal (gearbox end) and squash the grease along the straw to inject it into the seal. The two lip seals you are trying to grease are about 3/4" inside the seal. You won't get all the grease in hence needing two cubes of grease and hope one will lube the seals.

To replace the seal, the shaft has to be freed from the gearbox to enable the old seal to be slid along the shaft and removed, then the new seal fitted. So whilst this could be done in the water, I prefer to dry out and do it. Alignment of the shaft shouldn't be a problem afterwards, but if you have a rope cutter fitted that could be a problem if you are in the water depending on type.

The Volvo steel clip needs a bit of a fight to fit.

There is a red lip protector clip in the box, to fit whilst sliding the new seal along the shaft, don't loose it.

Pete

Thank you. I think I understand the straw method now. Someone mentioned not inserting too far as you only want to penetrate the first not second seal... is there a way to visually confirm, or go by feel, or a certain amount of straw to stick in? I don't want to break anything.

Also, do you have a part # on the volvo grease? Thank you!!!

[Boater3]

I found part # 828250 for the grease... is that correct? Thanks!

[Malabarista]

Originally Posted by gbendaly

Hi mark

I have the same seal in my ALOA 27
great piece of equipment virtually maintenance free
I have attached a document that may help
cheers

I know it was a long time ago. But you just saved me a lot of time/effort. It was the 36mm dimension i had been searching for. Thanks from the future [emoji846]

[PhillipPalacios]

Originally Posted by Malabarista

I know it was a long time ago. But you just saved me a lot of time/effort. It was the 36mm dimension i had been searching for. Thanks from the future [emoji846]

Funny, This same post has helped me too about 13 years after the original post!

[Lowesmarine]

A Tip for the VolvoPenta Shaft Seal.


If it is not convenient to replace a dripping VolvoPenta seal while on a offshore passage, just lightly clamp a plastic Tie-rap / nylon tie, around the the seal end to stop the leak, It will not take much to stop the leak.
This quick fix will last for quite a long time until the seal can be replaced. David