Visit our Popular Forums

MarkJ · 07-06-2010, 01:10

Hi Folks

[I have searched CruisersForum and there is no thread relating to this type of seal.]

I wish to service my Volvo dripless shaft seal stuffing box.

First I need to identify it.

I would also like a manual for it.

I have tried the Volvo website - obviously I am an idiot and Volvo is smart, simple and useful.

Is the seal photographed below a dripless PSS type or a packed flax seal?

How can I service it?

The only thing I have found on the net is one short note on a forum saying to squeese the rubber in an squirt in grease. No real explanation. etc

How do I know if its worn out or close to a major problem?

I ask and wish to service it as it may be the cause of a leak. It doesn't appear to be but I would like to rule it out by servicing it.

The boat is in the water and won't be hauled for 6 more months.

Thanks for your help

Mark

Vasco · 07-06-2010, 02:19

That's the standard Volvo dripless shaft seal that comes with the 393. Mine came with a tube of genuine Volvo grease and instructions. I slide some grease under the lip at the start of each season. I don't think the type of grease makes much difference. White lithium will do (just my opinion). Volvo says to REPLACE the seal every 500 hours!! I have about 1500 hours on mine. I just grease it and burp it when launching the boat in the fall.

Stillraining · 07-06-2010, 02:27

So how do those work?...just a squeeze on the shaft?

Is that a water lube hose attached? If so where does the feed come from the raw water pump?

I have a PSS but it looks like this.

Vasco · 07-06-2010, 02:32

Just squeeze some grease under the seal. The water lube comes from a through hull, no pump required.

**Ex-Calif** · 07-06-2010, 02:33

It's probably something like this...

PSS Shaft Seal: The world’s leading dripless seal.

Here is a clip from where I tracked it down.

Quote:

PYI Inc. manufactures the PSS Shaft Seal Packless Sealing System. It's a mechanical seal that uses a
self-aligning carbon-graphite stator to ensure a 100% watertight seal. This seal will eliminate shaft
wear and minimize corrosion. PYI also distributes many other marine products including the Max-Prop,
feathering props. Ask Kevin Dunn for more info and pricing for your boat. (716-745-3862 ext. 207)
RCR is a PYI Dealer. Many marina mechanics I spoke to endorse this system. Visit PYI's web site.
PYI Inc. Max-Prop PSS Shaft Seal Seaview Radar Mounts R&D

Also check out the 3-D interactive picture - that's cool.

Also in the left menu bar after selecting a PSS size there is something called a maintenance kit you can buy. Here's what they say -

Quote:

PSS Shaft Seal maintenance & parts replacement recommendation:

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.
PYI offers a Maintenance Kit that includes the items you need to properly maintain your PSS Shaft Seal. Included in the kit is one (1) PSS bellow, two (2) O-rings, five (5) set screws, four (4) new hose clamps and an allen key.

I hope this helps!

MarkJ · 07-06-2010, 03:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

. I don't think the type of grease makes much ifference. White lithium will do (just my opinion.

Any grease will do?

Marine Lanolene? Would that be OK, Rick?

Any Grease Will Do sounds like a song from a musical......

Thanks guys

Youse are all winnas!

Mark

shakey doug · 07-06-2010, 04:38

G'day Mark,

Your volvo seal requires very little maintiance, they rely on the compression of two small diameter rubber ridges in the fwd section compressing tightly on the shaft; Maintiance, Check tightness of rear stern tube glamp , every 3mths or 50 hrs rub some petroleum jelly around fwd shaft to seal face, after dry dock or prolonged use of astern gear, squeeze fwd section fo seal untill air trapped in stern tube escapes and pure water drips from seal, if you ever hear a droning noise coming from the seal/gbox area the seal is running dry & requires bleeding [burping].Some vessels we maintain have 5,000++ hrs seal service without problems ,like most things regular maintiance is the key to longevity.There are no external water feed used on volvo small low speed series.

MarkJ · 07-06-2010, 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey doug

after .. prolonged use of astern gear, squeeze fwd section fo seal untill air trapped in stern tube escapes and pure water drips from seal, .

Thanks so much, Doug!

Mark

Vasco · 07-06-2010, 04:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey doug

G'day Mark,

.There are no external water feed used on volvo small low speed series.

Shakey,

Can you expand on this? All the Beneteaus I've seen with the Volvo shaft seal have a seacock and water feed. B used brass fittings on a lot of them where the feed enters the shaft log and many have just turned to dust resulting in a lot of water coming through the 1/4" hose. If my memory serves me right the water goes into the shaft log and not the seal but I'm not at my boat and you know what memory does.

Vasco · 07-06-2010, 05:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Any grease will do?

Marine Lanolene? Would that be OK, Rick?

Any Grease Will Do sounds like a song from a musical......

Thanks guys

Youse are all winnas!

Mark

I don't think any lanolin based grease will do as the cold water might make it too hard. I'd use white lithium, same stuff I lube the winches with.

MarkJ · 07-06-2010, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vasco

If my memory serves me right the water goes into the shaft log and not the seal but I'm not at my boat and you know what memory does.

It does, Rick. Good memory!!

See my photo below and you will see the tube coming from the lighter colour of the shaft log. They must be 2 seperate gadgets.

**Pete7** · 07-06-2010, 07:36

Mark, the problem with the volvo grease tube is getting it in the seal whilst the water floods in as I found out in April. I haven't tried it yet but advice seems to be to acquire a straw from McDonalds and load the grease into that. You don't need much 1cm3 (say 1/2 a tea spoon) will do then feed that under the seal lips.

Pete

MarkJ · 07-06-2010, 07:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

acquire a straw from McDonalds
Pete

Hi Pete,

Thanks for that. I shall tie Nicolle to the light pole outside McD's and go in myself.

I was wondering how to do it and thats an excellent solution!

We cut the corner out of a small plastic bag and used that, however I think your straw trick is the "Star" solution!

witzgall · 07-06-2010, 07:45

Mark;

We have that seal on our boat too.

1. You MUST burb the seal each time you put the boat back in the water. Squeeze it until water comes out, and you are done. If you don't do that, you will burn out the seal
2. Greasing is easy. I use the big fat straws from MacDonalds. Must stick the straw into the grease - you will only get about one inch of grease each time. Flatten the end, push it past the first seal but not the second, and squeeze the grease in. repeat several times. I do this twice a year. It would be a good idea to burp it again, in case you forced air in there.

I have been using PTFE grease, but any waterproof grease should do the trick, as long as it is good stuff.

Chris

PS - ours have over 2200 hours, and still not leaking.